Tenacity Required to Secure Advanced Biofuels Future

by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biomass Magazine) Addressing climate continues to be one of the major reasons to support and develop advanced and cellulosic biofuels. -- Once again, we enter spring awaiting the U.S. EPA’s proposal for the renewable volumes obligations (RVO) for the next year. After six years in this cycle, we know that EPA must propose a rule, take comments, and finalize the RVO by November 30, to comply with the law. This year, however, we have some new complicating factors, including pending lawsuits brought by the corn ethanol industry objecting to last year’s RVO, and other lawsuits filed by the oil industry that oppose lifting the biomass-based diesel pool without 14 months’ notice (and no proposed rule there either, as of yet).

In addition, for those trying to run a business and plan for the future, the fate of biofuels tax credits remains uncertain, with all set to expire at the end of the year, with little to no conversation about when or if Congress will extend any of them.

I believe we must start by digging in and staying the course by producing quality biofuels, improving technologies and becoming more cost efficient.

We must continue to explain the benefits of our fuels. We should ensure that we not only comment on the RVO rules, but also continue to lobby hard for fixing the issues, such as the intermediate feedstock/colocation regulatory designations that limit our ability to bring more advanced fuels to the marketplace. Similarly, we cannot allow the EPA to drag it’s feet on the simple plant registrations and the approval of new pathways for technologies and feedstocks.

In an election year, we have the opportunity to meet the candidates who are asking for our vote. We must seize the chance to tell them about our industry and what we need the government to deliver.

Individually, you are the face of the industry, and the more you directly engage with the candidates themselves, the better they will appreciate how important it is for the government to work for and on behalf of the advanced biofuels industry to improve the lives and security of the people of this great nation.

This industry has grown immensely since the initial passage of the RFS. We stand as the largest producers of renewable biofuels in the world. But there is much more to achieve, and many more advanced fuels on the cusp of giving the world needed energy and sustainability moving forward. As the number of people in the world continues to grow, the number of airplane miles flown increases, and the amount of trade on our oceans swells, we must develop more sustainable fuels, if we are to protect our climate. Addressing climate continues to be one of the major reasons to support and develop advanced and cellulosic biofuels. Therefore, we must continue to remind politicians and governments around the world of this option for fighting climate change in the future. READ MORE