By Jamie Martin
Good news for biofuel supporters! A recent study shows the US can produce enough oilseeds to meet growing demand for renewable diesel (biodiesel).
The National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) commissioned the study, which found the industry is prepared to exceed current government requirements.
The US Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) sets yearly targets for biofuel production. The NOPA study shows that in 2023 alone, US oilseeds were already enough to produce more biodiesel than the RFS targets for 2023, 2024, and 2025 combined!
With further investment in processing facilities, the industry estimates it can support an additional 1.4 billion gallons of biodiesel production by 2030 using domestic crops.
Imported oilseeds could provide an additional 1 billion gallons. This would bring the total US biodiesel production to 6.7 billion gallons by 2030.
"The study's findings make it clear that the U.S. oilseed industry is more than capable of meeting and exceeding demand for food, feed and fuel well into the next decade," says Kailee Tkacz Buller, NOPA President and CEO. Buller believes this data can be used to advocate for higher RFS targets in the future.
Higher RFS targets would not only benefit the environment by reducing reliance on fossil fuels but would also create a stronger domestic biofuel industry and support rural economies.
Photo Credit: photo-credit-vista-mipan
Categories: National