By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened a Request for Information (RFI) to the public, seeking input on developing voluntary standards for biofuel feedstocks. These standards aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from crops used for biofuels by incorporating climate-smart agricultural practices.
The move follows the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) tax credit guidance from the U.S. Treasury and aligns with the USDA Climate-Smart Agriculture Pilot Program.
This RFI seeks to refine the quantification, reporting, and verification of GHG reductions achieved through sustainable farming techniques like cover cropping and no-till farming.
Current policies do not differentiate between biofuel feedstocks grown under conventional versus climate-smart practices. This initiative is expected to support the creation of new markets for U.S. farmers, promoting practices that cut GHG emissions and offering economic boosts to rural communities.
Input is requested on several topics, including suitable biofuel feedstock crops, necessary scientific data for analyzing GHG outcomes, and systems to trace biofuel feedstocks in the supply chain. The USDA is also interested in methods for third-party verification of sustainable practices.
The feedback period opens on June 27, 2024, and closes on July 26, 2024, providing a 30-day window for public comments. This initiative underscores the USDA’s commitment to fostering environmentally responsible farming that benefits both the planet and the farming community.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National