February 24, 2023. The American Biogas Council (ABC) submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed “Set Rule” regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The proposed rule includes long-awaited guidance in a couple key areas plus multi-year fuel volumes for renewable electricity and renewable natural gas (RNG) made from biogas.
“The ABC is pleased to see three years of renewable fuel volumes proposed for 2023-2025,” said Patrick Serfass, Executive Director, ABC. “Of the 2,300 biogas systems currently operational in the U.S., 2,000 of them produce uninterruptible renewable electricity and nearly 280 produce RNG. This guidance from the EPA creates an opportunity for these projects as well as new ones to generate RFS credits (RINs) while also helping to decarbonize transportation and increase the volume of organic material that we recycle in the U.S. In the end, this will benefit the everyday American – those living and working on or near farms, food processors, and wastewater plants of all sizes.”
The ABC believes the RFS has helped to drive growth for the fast-growing U.S. biogas industry which has seen some sectors grow at over 40% annually. For that reason, they want to ensure the RFS continues to function well and urge the EPA to finalize the Set Rule, on time, by June 14.