Written on: September 23, 2013 by ICM
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported a record pace for year-to-date production of biodiesel.
For the month of August, the EPA reported 148 million gallons of biodiesel production, which puts volume at nearly 916 million gallons so far this year, according to a news release.
With the addition of 30 million gallons of renewable diesel, a similar alternative fuel made with a different technology, 177 million gallons of biodiesel were produced in August.
Together, biodiesel and renewable diesel have exceeded production of 1 billion gallons so far this year.
Iowa biodiesel producers made 184 million gallons of biodiesel in 2012, or 17 percent of the nation’s biodiesel, according to the Iowa Biodiesel Board on its website.
“Right now we’re producing great volumes, we’re on pace to set another record this year and all that is is proving the need to increase our renewable volume obligation within the RFS (Renewable Fuel Standard) each year,” said T.J. Page, communications director for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.
Iowa is the No. 1 biodiesel producing state in the nation, Page added. There are 13 biodiesel plants throughout the state, according to the biodiesel board.
“The production pace demonstrates that the Renewable Fuel Standard is working as intended to diversify our nation’s fuel supply and stimulate domestic energy production,” said Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board.
– See more at: http://thegazette.com/2013/09/21/epa-releases-august-biodiesel-production-figures/#sthash.nzEUSfuA.dpuf
