Renewable Fuel Standard Increased for 2009
The 2009 renewable fuel standard (RFS) will be set at 10.21 percent to ensure that at least 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuels will be blended into transportation gasoline, according to a Nov. 17 press release from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) established the annual overall renewable fuel volume targets, reaching a level of 36 billion gallons in 2022. To achieve these volumes, EPA calculates a percentage-based standard by November 30 for the following year. Based on the standard, each refiner, importer, and non-oxygenate blender of gasoline determines the minimum volume of renewable fuel that it must ensure is used in motor vehicle fuel. The 2008 standard was 7.76 percent, equating to roughly 9 billion gallons.
Separately, EPA is developing a proposed rule to implement other RFS program changes and analyses mandated by EISA.
For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/index.htm.