Champions, Allies Stand Up for Clean Fuels

By Paul Winters

In fall 2022, the biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry relished the prospect of an upward trajectory for Renewable Fuel Standard volumes. In June, the U.S. EPA had finalized the largest-ever annual increase in biomass-based diesel volumes under the RFS. In December 2022, however, EPA proposed a disappointing three-year RFS rule that would support growth of just 190 million gallons in the biomass-based diesel volumes. The proposal discounted the investments in feedstocks, fuel production and infrastructure the industry is making.

increased crush capacity through new or expanded facilities. Renewable diesel went from less than 500 million gallons of production in 2019 to a projected 3.34 billion gallons this year. The U.S. EIA and researchers at the University of Illinois project close to 6 billion gallons of U.S. renewable diesel capacity will come online in the next few years.

Biodiesel production has also increased, and a recent investment has the potential to push many fleets from lower blends of biodiesel to B100. Optimus Technologies raised $17.8 million to fund the further development and deployment of its Vector System, an advanced fuel system technology that enables heavy-duty diesel engines to operate on 100% biodiesel. The Vector System integrates into existing engines in operation or can be built into new engines as they are manufactured, leveraging the foundational diesel engine for the transition to a low-carbon future.

The world is realizing the potential of clean fuels to solve heavy-duty problems. By the time the industry gathers for the 2024 Clean Fuels Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, a whole new set of opportunities will be on the horizon. We have more hard work to do, but our industry will keep hitting new milestones. We’re proud to be your partner as we lower carbon emissions today, tomorrow and years in the future.

Donnell Rehagen CEO, Clean Fuels Alliance America CleanFuels.org

The U.S. EIA and University of Illinois both foresee rapid growth of U.S. renewable diesel capacity to 6 billion gallons by 2025—on top of the 2 billion gallons of active biodiesel capacity. And U.S. soy processors have announced billions in investments to expand or build new crush capacity.

The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel market grew by 500 million gallons in 2022. And U.S. production of both fuels continues to increase. The market is already 33% higher in the first three months of 2023 than in the same time period of 2022. Clean Fuels launched ag-