Federal Register #EPAHQOAR20240505

EPA Final Rule: Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program Standards for 2026 and 2027

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized new Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program requirements for 2026 and 2027: - Government Buyer: - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Assessment and Standards Division - Products/Standards Established: - Cellulosic Biofuel: 1.21 billion gallons (includes renewable CNG/LNG from landfill/agricultural biogas and ethanol from corn kernel fiber) - Biomass-Based Diesel (BBD): 9.07 billion gallon-RINs (reflects biodiesel and renewable diesel production) - Non-Cellulosic Advanced Biofuel: 4.4 billion gallons (biodiesel, renewable diesel, renewable jet fuel, and other advanced biofuels) - Conventional Renewable Fuel: 15 billion gallons (primarily ethanol blends such as E10, E15, E85) - Notable Requirements and Changes: - Partial waiver of the 2025 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement due to production shortfalls - Removal of renewable electricity (eRINs) as a qualifying renewable fuel - Revised equivalence values for renewable diesel, naphtha, and jet fuel - Updates to compliance, reporting, and measurement regulations - Addresses small refinery exemption reallocations - OEMs and Vendors: - EPA is the sole regulatory authority; no specific commercial OEMs or vendors are named - Purpose: - Supports domestic renewable fuel production and energy security - Reflects coordination with USDA and DOE and stakeholder input

Description

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final rule establishing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements and percentage standards for 2026 and 2027, including cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel. The rule also partially waives the 2025 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement due to production shortfalls and revises the associated percentage standard. Additionally, the EPA is removing renewable electricity as a qualifying renewable fuel under the RFS program and making minor revisions to biogas provisions. The rule aims to strengthen the RFS program, support domestic biofuel production, and reflects extensive stakeholder input and coordination with USDA and DOE.

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