The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recalibrated the targets and categories for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) originally established by Congress in 2007 in the Energy Independence and Security Act. The overall target of 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022 has been affirmed, along with a goal of 15 billion gallons from first-generation fuels and 21 billion gallons from advanced biofuels, but annual targets have been revised. The EPA recalibrated its models with updated inputs on crop productivity and yield improvement, and broadened its indirect land use change model to include 160 countries, from the original 40¹.

RFS-2: GHGs by the numbers¹

Modern Corn Ethanol
* 21% GHG reduction with international ILUC emissions
* 52% GHG reduction without international ILUC change emissions

Cellulosic Ethanol
* Ethanol from switchgrass reduces GHG emissions by 110% via the biochemical conversion process and 72% via the thermochemical process
* Ethanol from corn stover reduces GHG emissions by 130% biochemical and 93% thermochemical

Brazilian Sugarcane Ethanol
* Ethanol from sugarcane reduces GHG emissions by 61% relative to gasoline

Biodiesel
* 57% GHG reduction with international ILUC emissions

RFS-2 Targets and Dates¹

The Obama Administration announced a “Lead Agency” strategy on biofuels aimed at clearing logjams and confusion over responsibilities for science, feedstock, workforce development, commercialization, finance, supply chain development and sustainability reporting. Lead agencies are:

* Discovery Science: DOE Office of Science
* Pilot-scale Conversion and Biorefinery facilities: DOE EERE
* Financing for innovative first time commercial technologies: DOE

* Feedstock production systems: USDA
* Feedstock development: USDA (Research, Economics and Education (REE) and Forest Service)
* Feedstock supply chain workforce development: USDA
* Dissemination of best practices and technical assistance: USDA/State/Local Extension Offices and partners
* Continuing financing for first-generation and scaling of advanced biofuels: USDA

* Sustainability and regulatory compliance: EPA and USDA
* Full-scale and widespread deployment of commercial facilities: USDA (Rural Development and Forest Service) and DOE

* The Departments of Labor, Commerce, Defense, Transportation to support

Also known as RFS II?. (disambiguation)

References:

¹Biofuels Digest