RFA Publishes Analysis of California LCFS Data

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Renewable Fuels Association has released an analysis of recently published data on California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, noting grain-based ethanol provided nearly half of the greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions achieved under the first five years of the program.

The California Air Resources Board published updated quarterly LCFS data on April 15 that spans through the fourth quarter of 2015. It includes LCFS credit data related to biobased compressed natural gas (bio-CNG), biodiesel, CARBOB, biobased liquefied natural gas (bio-LNG), diesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable diesel. It also includes data related to feedstock.

The RFA analysis of the raw LCFS data indicates regulated parties have reduced the carbon intensity (CI) of the state’s transportation fuels by a cumulative 16.55 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases (GHGs) since LCFS enforcement began in 2011. Grain-based ethanol has generated 7.58 million metric tons of CI reductions during this time, accounting for 46 percent of total LFS credits and nearly 75 percent of credits in the gasoline pool. Sugarcane and molasses-based ethanol have resulted in 0.88 million metric tons of CI reductions, or less than 5 percent of total LCFS credits. Biodiesel has provided 2.73 million metric tons worth of LCFS credits, with biodiesel from corn distillers oil comprising approximately one-third of that total. Renewable diesel accounted for 2.76 million metric tons of credits.

Overall, the RFA points out that liquid biofuels have accounted for 87 percent of LCFS credits, including 51 percent for ethanol, and 17 percent each for renewable diesel and biodiesel.

The trade group also said CARB should immediately begin the regulatory process to approve the use of midlevel ethanol blends.