RFA: Renewable Fuels Inclusion in U.S. Climate Plan is Good; Larger Role Warranted

April 22, 2021

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(Renewable Fuels Association) President Biden’s plan for re-entering the Paris climate agreement includes low-carbon renewable fuels as a strategy for helping to achieve a 50-52% economy-wide reduction in net greenhouse gas pollution by 2030. The following is a statement from Renewable Fuels President and CEO Geoff Cooper:

“We are pleased to see the inclusion of renewable fuels in President Biden’s plan for reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and we agree that efforts to deploy larger volumes of ‘very low carbon’ renewable fuels should be a key component of our nation’s commitment to reduce emissions from the transportation sector under the Paris Agreement. However, renewable fuels can do far more than decarbonize aviation and other off-road markets. Just since 2008, nearly 1 billion metric tons of GHG emissions have been prevented from entering the atmosphere due to the increased use of renewable fuels to meet Renewable Fuel Standard obligations. In addition, recent research by scientists affiliated with Harvard, Tufts, and MIT shows that today’s average corn ethanol is reducing GHG emissions by almost 50% compared to gasoline. And with the adoption of carbon capture and sequestration, carbon-efficient feedstock production practices, and other new technologies, corn ethanol can be a ‘net-zero,’ carbon-neutral fuel by the end of the decade.

“As recognized by President Biden, achieving a 50% GHG reduction economy-wide by 2030 will take a portfolio approach that capitalizes on a broad and diverse array of low-carbon technologies, and that should include ethanol and other biofuels. We look forward to receiving more details and information regarding the role renewable fuels are expected to play in the Biden administration’s nationally determined contribution that will be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.” READ MORE

FACT SHEET: President Biden Sets 2030 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target Aimed at Creating Good-Paying Union Jobs and Securing U.S. Leadership on Clean Energy Technologies (White House)

Biden commits to cutting U.S. emissions in half by 2030 as part of Paris climate pact -- The president announced the pledge during remarks at the White House's virtual climate summit Thursday. (CNBC)

Fossil fuels play a role in Biden's climate fight: White House advisor (Yahoo! Finance)

Growth Energy Statement on President Biden’s New Climate Emissions Target (Growth Energy)

Biden sets 50 percent carbon reduction target by 2050 for US (Biofuels Digest)

Climate Policies Announced on Earth Day -- Goal to Halve Emissions Before End of 2030 Pledged as Ag Climate Bill Advances (DTN Progressive Farmer)

Renewable Fuels Part of Climate Plan (Energy.AgWired.com; includes AUDIO)

Biofuels want in on the action (Politico's Morning Energy)

Biden’s 2030 emissions target welcomed by ethanol coalition (Biofuels International)

Excerpt from White House: The United States can reduce carbon pollution from the transportation sector by reducing tailpipe emissions and boosting the efficiency of cars and trucks; providing funding for charging infrastructure; and spurring research, development, demonstration, and deployment efforts that drive forward very low carbon new-generation renewable fuels for applications like aviation, and other cutting-edge transportation technologies across modes. Investment in a wider array of transportation infrastructure, including transit, rail, and biking improvements, will make more choices available to travelers. READ MORE (emphasis added)

Excerpt from Growth Energy: “Growth Energy applauds President Biden for setting an ambitious new decarbonization target for the United States as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement. We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure low-carbon biofuels, like ethanol, are an integral part of efforts to address climate change, reduce transportation sector emissions, improve air quality, and create jobs in rural America.

“Plant-based biofuels, like ethanol, have long been a key part of the nation’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions. Since 2007, ethanol has been responsible for cumulative carbon dioxide savings of 600 million metric tons in the U.S., or the equivalent of removing 130 million cars from the road, roughly half of our nation’s fleet. In addition, the biofuels industry employs more than 360,000 hard-working Americans across the country and especially in rural America. As the U.S. takes steps to address the growing climate crisis, meet our international climate goals, improve public health outcomes, and grow the clean energy economy, biofuels are an essential part of the solution.” READ MORE

Excerpt from Biofuels Digest: Reaction from the bioeconomy -- Brooke Coleman, Executive Director of the Advanced Biofuels Business Council (ABBC):

“The administration’s commitment reflects the ambition we need to restore U.S. leadership in the battle against climate change. Now, it’s up to the EPA and others to match that commitment with specific, concrete actions to fast-track our transition to a net-zero future. The data shows we can’t reach those goals without a major influx of renewable fuels, both in terms traditional low-carbon biofuels, as well as the cellulosic and advanced sources that have spent years waiting in line for approval at the EPA. Rural America is ready to get behind a 50-state strategy that can stand up to political pressure and create opportunities for a diverse array of green jobs. The White House has powerful and well-established tools under the Renewable Fuel Standard to jump-start that progress without any new action by Congress. The sooner we make it happen, the sooner America can lead on the world stage. READ MORE

Excerpt from DTN Progressive Farmer: (Secretary of Agriculture Tom) Vilsack told reporters Thursday biofuels will help reduce emissions "on several levels." Beyond the Renewable Fuel Standard, for instance, the Department of Energy is setting a goal of using 36 billion gallons of bio-based fuels in aviation. READ MORE

Excerpt from Energy.AgWired.com: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack said USDA’s investment in biofuels infrastructure announced on Earth Day is part of the climate plan. “Biofuels we know have a better greenhouse gas footprint than petroleum based fuels so to the extent that we can increase higher blends of biofuels that’s going to have a benefit towards climate change and towards our reduction goals.” READ MORE includes AUDIO

Excerpt from Poltico's Morning Energy: Ag and ethanol producers are asking why there isn't more biofuel in the Biden climate agenda.

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WHAT ABOUT ETHANOL?: Electric vehicles are front and center in President Joe Biden's plans to decarbonize the economy, with billions of dollars allocated to bolstering EV development and infrastructure in his American Jobs Plan. But that's leaving farm-state lawmakers, corn growers and ethanol producers feeling a little left out.

Biofuels would only get a tiny slice of the funding pie under Biden's infrastructure overhaul, despite the president saying he views biofuels as a key factor in weaning off fossil fuels.

“To not see [biofuels] listed as part of an infrastructure piece, I’m hoping is just an oversight and a misunderstanding — because I know that there’s support for it,” said Rep. Cindy Axne (D-Iowa), the only Democrat in Iowa’s congressional delegation.

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Wading into biofuels represents a potential political minefield for the White House, with the ethanol industry maintaining outsize influence in battleground farm states and large swaths of farmers remaining skeptical about Biden's climate plans.

Farmers and ethanol groups insist the administration can bolster biofuels without compromising its EV goals. READ MORE