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US Oil Refiners To Increase Biofuel Use


US oil refiners will have to increase the amount of biofuels blended into their annual fuel output following proposals from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The new legislation will require the volume of biofuels refiners must incorporate into their fuel annual to rise from 19.92 billion gallons in 2019 to 20.04 billion gallons next year.

According to Energy Live News, this regulation, which comes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), will cut down on America’s reliance on oil. It is hoped it will also help to support the country’s agricultural industry.

EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler told the news provider: “Unlike the previous administration, we have consistently issued the annual renewable volume obligations rule on time, which is critically important to America’s farmers and all stakeholders impacted by the RFS programme.”

He added the deadline is likely to be met for the third consecutive year, which will provide “greater regulatory certainty to farmers and refiners across the country”.

The EPA has confirmed “conventional” renewable fuel volume targets, which are set by Congress, will be maintained at the same level of 15-billion gallons per year. However, the advanced biofuel volume goal will increase to 5.04 billion gallons in 2020.

While the EPA’s proposals change the targets for the majority of oil refiners, there are some exceptions. These include refining companies that would suffer financial loss by raising the level of biofuel in their output.

The US is not the only country trying to be more environmentally-friendly, as the UK government has recently announced it wants to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

This could support the building of more anaerobic digestion plants that require emergency relief vents to operate.