Any foreign or domestic renewable fuel producer or RIN-generating importer can petition EPA for review and approval of alternative renewable biomass tracking for compliance purposes. Parties complying with alternative renewable biomass tracking requirements are still subject to tracking requirements. For example, RFS regulations require these parties to keep records demonstrating that feedstocks used to produce RIN-generating renewable fuels meet the definition of renewable biomass as defined in 80.1401.

EPA's determination will be based on whether such alternative tracking approaches meet or exceed the existing regulatory oversight requirements currently applied to qualifying renewable fuels. Below are alternative approaches and plans that have been submitted to EPA.

Approval Letter for an Alternative Renewable Biomass Tracking Program

EPA approved a plan submitted by a consortium of Argentinean renewable fuel producers (Camara Argentina de Biocombustibles, CARBIO) to demonstrate compliance with U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) regulatory requirements.  The plan satisfies one aspect of the RFS, which is that importers are required to keep records which demonstrate that the feedstocks used to produce the fuel come from qualified land.  CARBIO’s plan includes a robust tracking program that requires an independent third party to conduct an annual survey of the entire biofuel supply chain, from soybean production through intermediate processing, to biodiesel production.  This approved plan enhances existing regulatory oversight requirements currently applied to qualifying renewable fuels being imported from Argentina.

• Learn more about the Approval Letter for an Alternative Renewable Biomass Tracking Program.

Notice of Receipt of Petition from Canada for Application of the Renewable Fuel Standard Aggregate Compliance Approach

EPA issues notice of receipt of a petition for EPA to authorize an aggregate approach for compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard for renewable biomass. This petition was submitted by the Government of Canada. The petition requests that EPA determine that an aggregate compliance approach will provide reasonable assurance that planted crops and crop residue from Canada meet the definition of renewable biomass. In this notice, EPA is soliciting comment on all aspects of the petition.

• Learn more about the Notice of Receipt of Petition from Canada for Application of the Renewable Fuel Standard Aggregate Compliance Approach.
  • Notice (PDF) (3 pp, 66K, published March 15, 2011, About PDF)