The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS):
Cellulosic Biofuels
Kelsi Bracmort
Specialist in Agricultural Conservation and Natural Resources Policy
January 14, 2015
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R41106
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Cellulosic Biofuels
Summary
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was established under the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(EPAct05, P.L. 109-58), and was later expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140), in accordance with efforts at that time to reduce dependence on
foreign oil, promote biofuel use, and stabilize transportation fuel prices, among other goals. Over
15 years, the RFS requires that increasing amounts of biofuels—36 billion gallons by 2022—be
used in transportation fuel. The mandate is to be accomplished in part with advanced biofuels,
including cellulosic biofuels—fuels produced from cellulosic materials including grasses, trees,
and agricultural and municipal wastes—which would increase over time to comprise some 44%
of the RFS in 2022.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to set the annual standard (i.e.,
usage requirement) for cellulosic biofuels under the RFS if the projected volume of cellulosic
biofuel production is less than the volume specified in the statute (i.e., the mandate). Under this
circumstance, EPA can lower the annual cellulosic biofuels standard to the volume expected to be
available for that year. If EPA lowers the standard for a given year, it is required to do so by
November 30 of the preceding year. EPA concluded that the nation lacked sufficient production
capacity to meet the RFS cellulosic biofuels mandate each year from 2010 to 2014. In 2010, EPA
reduced the mandate from the statutory volume of 100 million gallons to 6.5 million ethanol-
equivalent gallons, in 2011 from 250 million gallons to 6.0 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, in
2012 from 500 million gallons to 10.45 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, and in 2013 from 1
billion gallons to 810,185 ethanol-equivalent gallons. EPA proposes to lower the 2014 mandate
from 1.75 billion gallons to 17 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, and to rescind the 2011
cellulosic biofuel standard. The 2010-2012 reduced mandates were not met by actual cellulosic
biofuel production, which EPA reports was limited. Instead, these mandates were largely met with
waiver credits. EPA announced in November 2014 that the 2013 compliance deadline will take
place in 2015, and that it intends to finalize the 2014 standard in 2015. This delay—which is a
year past the statutory deadline—raises significant uncertainty for biofuel producers, feedstock
growers, and refiners.
For years, actual cellulosic biofuel production has significantly fallen short of the RFS mandates.
However, there were noteworthy occurrences in 2014 for the industry, including the opening of
three commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plants in Iowa and Kansas with a combined production
capacity of up to 52 million gallons per year. There was also the November 2014 bankruptcy
filing by the company KiOR, which commenced operations of the first commercial-scale
cellulosic fuel facility in 2012 in Mississippi.
The cellulosic biofuels industry may ultimately be able to produce enough fuel to meet the RFS
mandates if certain conditions become more favorable. Favorable developments could include a
drop in the cost of conversion technology at the initial stages of commercial application, easier
access to financing, a removal of feedstock supply uncertainties, and greater certainty for tax
incentives. Another challenge for the cellulosic biofuels industry—and all biofuels industries—is
the petroleum industry’s opposition to the RFS overall, in part because it views the RFS as
unworkable. Other industries—livestock and poultry producers in particular—have joined the
petroleum industry in requesting that the RFS be modified, in many cases for reasons unrelated to
cellulosic biofuel supply. Another supply constraint is the blend wall—the upper limit to the total
amount of ethanol that by law can be blended into U.S. gasoline.
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The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Cellulosic Biofuels
It is difficult to evaluate the viability of the cellulosic biofuel component of the RFS. Many
factors have impacted and may continue to impact what can be accomplished. A few factors to
consider are the uncertainty stemming from EPA’s implementation of the RFS, Congress’s action
on biofuel programs and tax incentives, industry’s difficulty in producing cellulosic biofuel, and
the unknown impact of current oil and gasoline prices.
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The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Cellulosic Biofuels
Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
The EISA RFS Cellulosic Biofuel Standard .................................................................................... 2
Waiver Authority ....................................................................................................................... 3
RFS Compliance ........................................................................................................................ 3
EPA Annual Cellulosic Biofuel Projections, 2010-2014.................................................................. 5
EPA Reported Cellulosic Biofuel Compliance, 2010-2013 ............................................................. 6
Legislative Context .......................................................................................................................... 8
The Role of Congress ................................................................................................................ 8
The Role of EPA ...................................................................................................................... 10
Legal Challenges ..................................................................................................................... 12
Uncertainty .................................................................................................................................... 13
Background on Cellulosic Biofuels ............................................................................................... 14
Potential Benefits of Cellulosic Biofuels ....................................................................................... 15
Energy Security ....................................................................................................................... 15
Environment ............................................................................................................................ 15
Rural Economic Development................................................................................................. 16
Potential Challenges for Cellulosic Biofuels ................................................................................. 16
Financing ................................................................................................................................. 16
Feedstock Eligibility ................................................................................................................ 17
Feedstock Supply ..................................................................................................................... 17
Existing Plant Capacity ........................................................................................................... 18
Financial Assistance ................................................................................................................ 19
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Tables
Table 1. RFS Biofuels Mandate in EPAct05 and EISA: Total Renewable Fuels and
Cellulosic Biofuels ....................................................................................................................... 4
Table 2. Selected Proposed Legislation from the 113th and 112thCongresses Pertaining to
Cellulosic Biofuels ....................................................................................................................... 9
Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 21
Congressional Research Service
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Cellulosic Biofuels
Introduction
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct05, P.L.
109-58) and expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-
140), mandates that domestic transportation fuel contain specified volumes of biofuels—
including advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, and biomass-based diesel. Given the economic and
policy environments at the time the RFS was enacted, there was discussion that the RFS could
help to reduce dependence on foreign oil, promote biofuel use, and stabilize transportation fuel
prices, among other goals.1 The RFS requires that increasing amounts of biofuels be included in
transportation fuel over a 15-year period, starting with 9 billion gallons of total renewable fuel in
2008 and building up to 36 billion gallons annually by 2022. The mandate is to be accomplished
in large part with cellulosic biofuels, with 16 billion gallons required in 2022. The cellulosic
biofuels industry has not met the production volumes set out in the RFS.
The RFS contains annual volume standards (i.e., usage requirements) for each of its biofuel
categories. Recognizing that the cellulosic biofuel industry was in its infancy at the time of the
RFS’s passage, Congress gave the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waiver authority
to adjust the annual cellulosic biofuel standard under certain conditions. For instance, if the
projected volume of cellulosic biofuel production is less than the volume specified in the statute
(i.e., the mandate) for a given year, the EPA is required to lower the cellulosic biofuel standard by
November 30 of the preceding year. Due to a lack of U.S. cellulosic biofuel production capacity,
the EPA, in successive years from 2010 to 2013, issued final rules under its waiver authority that
lowered the cellulosic biofuel standard.2 EPA also proposes to lower the 2014 cellulosic biofuel
standard.3
In the years since the inception of the cellulosic biofuels mandate for the RFS, there have
continued to be questions about whether cellulosic biofuels can be produced in sufficient
quantities to satisfy the RFS mandate in the near term and in future years. Progress toward
meeting the cellulosic biofuels mandate has been delayed due to several issues (e.g., financial,
administrative, and technical). More specifically, feedstock supply, financial viability and
financing, and technology advancement are considered among the limiting factors for cellulosic
biofuel production. Given that the EPA has lowered the RFS cellulosic biofuel standard for four
consecutive years and proposes to do so again for the fifth year, and for various other reasons,
some contend that Congress should repeal the RFS, reconsider its configuration, determine
whether additional resources are necessary for cellulosic biofuel production, and/or assess the
success of this effort compared to other renewable energy efforts. Others assert that the current
1 For more information on the expanded RFS, see CRS Report R43325, The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): In Brief;
and CRS Report R40155, Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Overview and Issues.
2 Additional information about the volume adjustments, including the federal court order to vacate the 2012
requirement and an EPA proposal to rescind the 2011 requirement, is provided in the cellulosic biofuel compliance
section of this report. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Changes to
Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Final Rule,” 75 Federal Register, March 26, 2010; U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2011 Renewable Fuel Standards; Final Rule,” Federal Register,
December 9, 2010; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2012 Renewable
Fuel Standards; Final Rule,” Federal Register, January 9, 2012; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of
Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Cellulosic Biofuel Standards; Direct Final Rule,” 79 Federal Register,
May 2, 2014.
3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Proposed Rule,”
78 Federal Register, November 29, 2013.
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The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Cellulosic Biofuels
structure provides adequate incentives and measures to address any cellulosic biofuel production
shortfalls.
The EISA RFS Cellulosic Biofuel Standard
The expanded RFS established in Section 202 of EISA requires that a certain volume of cellulosic
biofuels be included in the national transportation fuel supply.4 The required volume increases
incrementally each year. The RFS called for 100 million gallons in 2010, 3 billion gallons in
2015, 10.5 billion gallons in 2020, and 16 billion gallons by 2022 (see Table 1). Cellulosic
biofuels would comprise some 44% of the mandate if 16 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels
were actually produced in 2022.
Cellulosic Biofuel Requirement Differences Between the RFS1 and the RFS2
Cel ulosic biofuel requirements under the expanded RFS established by EISA, sometimes referred to as RFS2, are
more substantial than the requirements under the original RFS (or RFS1) established by §1501 of EPAct05. There are
three points in particular where differences exist between the expanded RFS and the original RFS: cel ulosic biofuel
type, cellulosic biofuel volume, and the production time frame. First, the original RFS had a narrower definition of
what constituted a cellulosic biofuel, limiting the mandate to only cellulosic biomass ethanol. The original RFS did have
a broader definition as to what counted as cel ulosic material. The expanded RFS has a broader definition for
cellulosic biofuels, accepting a variety of biofuel types from cellulosic material. Second, under the expanded RFS, the
cellulosic biofuel volumes required are much larger. Third, the time frame to produce the biofuels was expedited
under EISA. The original RFS was much smaller in scope, requiring 4.0 billion gallons of total renewable fuel for 2006,
ascending to 7.5 billion gallons by 2012. Further, the original RFS would have required that 250 million gallons of the
renewable fuel be derived from cellulosic biomass starting in 2013, whereas the expanded RFS required 250 million
gallons of cellulosic biofuel in 2011.
Limited analyses provide information on how the EISA RFS annual cellulosic biofuel volume
requirements were determined.5 Data and analysis presented during the RFS debate and ultimate
passage of EISA in 2007 supported the idea that the required levels of cellulosic biofuel
production capacity could be achievable. Some argued that plentiful feedstock would be
available6 and that the conversion technology was close to being certified as commercially viable.
Moreover, some presumed that the federal government would provide substantial financial
support and enhance the infrastructure needed to spur a commercial cellulosic biofuels market.7
4 The EISA statute defines ‘cellulosic biofuel’ as renewable fuel derived from any cellulose, hemi-cellulose, or lignin
that is derived from renewable biomass and that has lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the EPA
Administrator, that are at least 60% less than the baseline lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. More information is
provided in the cellulosic biofuels section of this report.
5 One case study suggests that the expanded RFS volume requirements, overall and for individual biofuel categories,
had “no reference within the energy policy subsystem.” For more information, see H. L. Breetz, “Fueled by Crisis: U.S.
Alternative Fuel Policy, 1975-2007” (Doctoral dissertation, Dartmouth College, 2012).
6 U.S. Dept. of Energy, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry:
The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply, April 2005, http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pdfs/
final_billionton_vision_report2.pdf.
7 Diane Greer, “Creating Cellulosic Ethanol: Spinning Straw into Fuel,” BioCycle, April 2005; Biotechnology Industry
Organization, Achieving Sustainable Production of Agricultural Biomass for Biorefinery Feedstock, Washington, DC,
2006, http://www.bio.org/ind/biofuel/SustainableBiomassReport.pdf; and Biotechnology Industry Organization,
“Energy Bill Biofuels Mandates Will Be Achievable with Biotechnology Advances,” press release, November 18,
2007, http://bio.org/news/pressreleases/newsitem.asp?id=2007_1218_01&p=yes.
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Others were leery about the time frame provided to meet the RFS cellulosic biofuels mandate,
given the as-yet-undeveloped production capacity.8
Waiver Authority
Congress granted EPA the authority to waive completely or in part the cellulosic biofuel mandates
established in EISA, under certain circumstances.9 For instance, the cellulosic biofuel mandate
may be reduced if the Administrator determines, after public notice and opportunity for comment,
that there is an inadequate domestic supply.10 Should EPA decide to lower the cellulosic biofuel
mandate in a given year, it is required to set the volume by November 30 of the preceding year. If
EPA grants a cellulosic waiver, the agency must issue waiver credits.11 EPA may also waive the
RFS or any specific category of the RFS if there is evidence that full implementation may cause
severe economic or environmental harm.
RFS Compliance
EPA monitors RFS compliance by fuel blenders and other obligated parties according to their
reported accumulation of renewable identification numbers (RINs) for each biofuel’s yearly
volumetric standard. A RIN is a unique 38-character number that is issued (in accordance with
EPA guidelines) by the biofuel producer or importer at the point of biofuel production or the port
of importation. Each qualifying gallon of renewable fuel has its own unique RIN. The EPA uses
its Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) to manage RIN transactions.12 Using data generated
from the EMTS, EPA provides aggregated monthly data on RIN generation and renewable fuel
volume production for specific fuel categories, such as cellulosic biofuel.13 In general,
compliance is achieved by a fuel blender when the number of RINs generated and assigned each
year for cellulosic biofuels equates to the volume requirement for that year. Previous-year RINs
may be used to meet current-year compliance, although there are some stipulations.
As noted above, EPA has the authority to waive the cellulosic biofuel mandate on a yearly basis.
In any year that EPA grants a waiver, the agency must also make per-gallon waiver credits
available at a set price, the formula for which is set in statute.14 Waiver credits may be used by
obligated parties to comply with the cellulosic biofuel volume obligation in lieu of RINs
generated with the production of the cellulosic biofuel.15 The 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 prices
8 Ian Talley, “Renewed Energy: US Biofuel Mandate Calls for Big Production Boost,” Dow Jones International News,
December 18, 2007, at http://www.factiva.com/.
9 For more information on EPA’s waiver authority, see CRS Report RS22870, Waiver Authority Under the Renewable
Fuel Standard (RFS).
10 42 U.S.C. 7545(o)(7)(D).
11 Waiver credits are discussed in the RFS compliance section of this report.
12 For more information on EMTS, see http://www.epa.gov/oms/fuels/renewablefuels/epamts.htm.
13 Concerns have been raised about fraudulent RINs, especially due to recent biodiesel fraudulent RIN activity. While
RIN fraud is possible as discussed in CRS Report R42824, Analysis of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) in the
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), there has been no reported fraudulent cellulosic biofuel RIN activity. In July 2014,
EPA issued a final rule that establishes a voluntary quality assurance program for verifying the validity of RINs. For
more information, see U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “RFS Renewable Identification Number (RIN) Quality
Assurance Program; Final Rule,” 79 Federal Register, July 18, 2014.
14 42 U.S.C. 7545 (o)(7)(D)(ii).
15 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Questions and Answers on Changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard
(continued...)
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for a cellulosic biofuel waiver credit were $1.56, $1.13, $0.78, and $0.42, respectively. EPA did
not announce the price for the 2014 cellulosic biofuel waiver credit in its proposed rule. If waiver
credits16 are issued (when the mandate is reduced), compliance is met when the combination of
waiver credits and RINs equates to the volume requirement for that year.
Table 1. RFS Biofuels Mandate in EPAct05 and EISA: Total Renewable Fuels and
Cellulosic Biofuels
(in billions of gallons)
EPAct05 EISA
Cellulosic biofuels
Total
Cellulosic
Total
renewable
biomass
renewable
EPA revised
Year
fuels
ethano
fuels
l Original
(ethanol-equivalent volume)
2006 4.0 —
–– ––
––
2007 4.7 —
–– ––
––
2008 5.4 — 9.00 0.00
––
2009 6.1 — 11.10 0.00
––
2010 6.8 — 12.95 0.100
0.0065a
2011 7.4 — 13.95 0.250
0.0060b
2012 7.5 — 15.20 0.500
0.0105c
2013 † 0.250 16.55 1.00
0.0008d
2014 † ◊ 18.15
(15.21
1.75
<0.0170e
EPA revised)e
—
2015 † ◊ 20.5
3.00
—
2020
† ◊ 30.0
10.5
—
2022 † ◊ 36.0
16.0
—
Source: EPAct05 (P.L. 109-58) Section 1501, and EISA (P.L. 110-140), Section 202. Ethanol-equivalent volume is
the volume used for RFS compliance purposes, which takes into account the energy content of the fuel.
† = according to EPAct05 statute, the total renewable fuel amount for 2013 and thereafter shal be determined
by the EPA Administrator. ◊ = according to EPAct05 statute, a minimum of 250 million gallons of cellulosic
biomass ethanol is required for 2013 and thereafter.
a. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Changes to Renewable Fuel
Standard Program; Final Rule,” 75 Federal Register, March 26, 2010.
b. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2011 Renewable Fuel
Standards; Final Rule,” Federal Register, December 9, 2010.
c. Vacated under API vs. EPA. Level originally set by EPA at 0.00865 billion gal ons. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2012 Renewable Fuel Standards; Final Rule,”
Federal Register, January 9, 2012.
(...continued)
Program (RFS2), February 2013.
16 Waiver credits are not allowed to be traded or banked for future use, and are only allowed to be used to meet the
cellulosic biofuel standard for the year that they are offered.
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d. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel
Standards; Final Rule,” 79 Federal Register, May 2, 2014.
e. EPA proposes to reduce the 2014 cellulosic biofuel mandate to 17 million ethanol-equivalent gallons and the
2014 Renewable fuel mandate to 15.21 billion gal ons. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, “2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Proposed
Rule,” 78 Federal Register, November 29, 2013.
EPA Annual Cellulosic Biofuel Projections,
2010-2014
EPA generally conducts its cellulosic biofuels volume projection analysis based on an evaluation
of individual producers’ production plans and progress to date, discussions with cellulosic biofuel
producers, the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA),
and the Department of Energy (DOE), and an assessment of the probabilities associated with
production schedules from each of the producers.17 EPA’s analyses concluded that the United
States did not have sufficient cellulosic biofuel production capacity to meet the scheduled RFS
mandates for 2010-2014. Therefore, for 2010 EPA reduced the mandate from the statutory
volume18 of 100 million gallons to 6.5 million ethanol-equivalent gallons;19 for 2011 from 250
million gallons to 6.0 million ethanol-equivalent gallons;20 for 2012 from 500 million gallons to
10.45 million ethanol-equivalent gallons;21 and for 2013 from 1 billion gallons to 810,185 ethanol
equivalent gallons.22 EPA proposes to lower the 2014 mandate from 1.75 billion gallons to 17
million ethanol-equivalent gallons.23
In response to legal challenges of its cellulosic biofuel projection methodology for a specific year,
EPA has in certain years revised the annual cellulosic biofuel standard to zero or proposed to
voluntarily rescind an annual cellulosic biofuel standard.24 This has occurred when the standard as
originally reduced by EPA has not been met. For instance, EPA’s 2012 standard was vacated by a
17 In its 2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program proposed rule, EPA reported it tracked the progress
of several dozen potential cellulosic biofuel production facilities. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “2014
Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Proposed Rule,” 78 Federal Register, November 29, 2013.
18 A distinction between which type of gallon is being referred to—straight or ethanol-equivalent—must be made. The
ethanol-equivalent value takes into account the difference in energy content between renewable fuels, and therefore
allows for direct comparisons. An ethanol-equivalence value for a renewable fuel with a higher energy content than
corn starch ethanol, such as biodiesel, may allow for that fuel to count more per gallon toward a mandate than other
biofuels.
19 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Changes to Renewable Fuel
Standard Program; Final Rule,” 75 Federal Register, March 26, 2010.
20 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2011 Renewable Fuel Standards;
Final Rule,” Federal Register, December 9, 2010.
21 Environmental Protection Agency, Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2012 Renewable Fuel Standards, Final
Rule, January 9, 2012. This rule was vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in API v. EPA. EPA
revised the 2012 rule and set the final required level at zero.
22 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards;
Final Rule,” 79 Federal Register, May 2, 2014; EPA had previously issued a final rule on August 15, 2013, reducing
the 2013 cellulosic biofuel standard to 6.0 million ethanol-equivalent gallons.
23 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Proposed Rule,”
78 Federal Register, November 29, 2013.
24 Additional information about these volume adjustments is provided in the legal challenges section of this report.
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court decision. As a follow-up to the same court decision, EPA proposes to rescind the 2011
cellulosic biofuel standard.
EPA Reported Cellulosic Biofuel Compliance,
2010-2013
In a straightforward scenario, cellulosic biofuel compliance for the RFS requires actual cellulosic
biofuel production, waiver credits, or a combination of both. However, the situation becomes
complicated when cellulosic biofuels are not produced on schedule. Despite the RFS mandate for
cellulosic biofuels starting in 2010, the first registered production of cellulosic biofuels in the
United States was not achieved until 2012.25
RFS cellulosic biofuel compliance can be separated into two phases: pre-EISA and post-EISA.
There were different stipulations about how compliance was met prior to EISA (under RFS1) and
after EISA (under RFS2). The transition from RFS1 (EPAct05) to RFS2 (EISA) occurred in 2010.
RFS1 had different production requirements than RFS2 for cellulosic biofuels,26 including an
ethanol-equivalency ratio of 2.5-to-1, where each gallon of cellulosic ethanol counted as 2.5
gallons toward the EPAct05 mandate.27 The EPA reports that zero cellulosic biofuel RINs were
produced in 2010 under the RFS2 rules.28 The EPA reports that the majority of compliance for
2010 was met with RINs generated (i.e., production) under RFS1.29 EMTS records show that
12,186 cellulosic biofuel waiver credits were purchased in 2010, which likely made up for the
remainder of 2010 compliance.30
Compliance data following the RFS1-to-RFS2 transition year of 2010 is more straightforward
than other years. EPA reports that zero cellulosic biofuel RINS were produced in 2011.31
Compliance for 2011 was met with excess cellulosic biofuel RINs generated in 2010 under RFS1
25 EPA reports that the first cellulosic biofuel RINs were registered in 2012 for cellulosic biofuel produced at
demonstration-scale facilities.
26 The original RFS (RFS1) did not require a cellulosic biofuel production volume until 2013, when 250 million gallons
were mandated. Further, the definition of cellulosic biofuel was amended by EISA. Under RFS1, cellulosic biofuel
could either be fuel produced from cellulosic feedstocks or fuel from conventional feedstocks using biomass for
process energy. EISA eliminated the latter option of this definition for RFS2.
27 EISA did not stipulate a 2.5-1 ratio for cellulosic biofuel for the RFS2. Instead, the ethanol equivalence value
depends on the type of biofuel being produced.
28 EMTS reports zero RINs available for 2010 cellulosic biofuel and cellulosic diesel. For more information, see
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/rfsdata/2010emts.htm.
29 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards;
Proposed Rule,” 78 Federal Register, February 7, 2013. The design of the RFS2 transition program allowed for RFS1
cellulosic RINs to be used towards compliance under the RFS2 program. The RFS1 cellulosic RINs likely came from
non-cellulosic feedstocks that qualified under the then-effective definition of cellulosic biomass. EPA reports the 2010
cellulosic biofuel standard could have been met with cellulosic biofuel RINs generated under RFS2 regulations after
July 1, 2010, cellulosic biomass ethanol RINs generated under RFS1 regulations between January 1, 2010, and July 1,
2010, and cellulosic biomass ethanol RINs generated under RFS1 regulations in 2009. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Questions and Answers on Changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS2), http://www.epa.gov/
otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/compliancehelp/rfs2-aq.htm.
30 See http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/rfsdata/rfs2cellulosicwaivercredits.htm.
31 EMTS reports zero RINs available for 2011 cellulosic biofuel and cellulosic diesel. For more information, see
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/rfsdata/2011emts.htm.
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and cellulosic biofuel waiver credits.32 EMTS records report that 4,248,388 RFS2 cellulosic
biofuel waiver credits were purchased in 2011.33 EPA reports that there is no “need to address
compliance with the 2012 cellulosic biofuel standard” since there was a federal court decision
that vacated the 2012 standard.34 EMTS reports that 20,069 RINS were generated for cellulosic
biofuel and 1,741 RINS were generated for cellulosic diesel in 2012.35 EMTS reports that
422,740 RINs were generated for cellulosic biofuel and 387,445 RINS were generated for
cellulosic diesel for the 2013 standard, as of July 17, 2014.36 EPA announced in November 2014
that the 2013 compliance deadline will take place in 2015.37
In its 2014 proposed rule, EPA proposes a 2014 cellulosic biofuel standard of 17 million ethanol-
equivalent gallons. EPA projects that the mandate could be met by five companies with approved
pathways, two of which are operational—INEOS Bio and KiOR. However, KiOR announced in
November 2014 that it has filed for bankruptcy, and its ability to produce cellulosic biofuels is
uncertain.38 Additionally, INEOS Bio announced in September 2014 that it is in the process of
bringing its facility back online after making a series of technical upgrades.39 The mandate may
also be met by potential cellulosic biofuel producers using new pathways approved by EPA in
July 2014 (e.g., compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas produced from biogas from
landfills, municipal waste-water treatment facility digesters, agricultural digesters, and separated
municipal solid waste digesters, as well as electricity used to power electric vehicles produced
from biogas from landfills, municipal waste-water treatment facility digesters, agricultural
digesters, and separated municipal solid waste digesters). EPA also determined that corn kernel
fiber meets the definition of a crop residue, if the source of the corn kernel fiber is incidental to
some other primary purpose, allowing it to qualify as a renewable fuel feedstock.40 Additionally,
EPA acknowledges that there are potential foreign sources of cellulosic biofuels, although these
entities are not expected to export the fuel they produce to the United States in the near term. EPA
reports that four foreign companies have approved cellulosic fuel production pathways, but the
companies have not completed the registration process for the RFS. EPA made similar
assessments of some of these same plants in its 2013 rule—assessments that proved inaccurate. It
32 The statute allows companies to purchase cellulosic biofuel waiver credits in lieu of submitting RINs in years when
EPA lowers the mandate. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013
Renewable Fuel Standards; Final Rule,” 78 Federal Register, August 15, 2013.
33 See http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/rfsdata/rfs2cellulosicwaivercredits.htm. If the 2011 cellulosic biofuel standard is
rescinded, EPA reports that it would refund the money paid by obligated parties to purchase cellulosic waiver credits to
comply with the 2011 cellulosic biofuel standard.
34 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Enviroflash, Update - 2012 Cellulosic Biofuel Standard Mandate Issued,
February 27, 2013.
35 Blue Sugar Corporation is the first company to be issued cellulosic biofuel RINs. EPA reports these RINs were
“retired” because the cellulosic ethanol produced was exported to Brazil. For more information, see
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/rfsdata/2012emts.htm. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and
Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards; Final Rule,” 78 Federal Register, August 15, 2013.
36 For more information, see http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/rfsdata/2013emts.htm
37 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Notice of Delay in Issuing 2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard
Program,” Pre-publication copy, November 21, 2014.
38 KiOR, “KiOR Receives Bid For Assets; Refocus on Research and Development; Additional Funding Provided by an
Affiliate of Existing Lenders; Company Files Chapter 11 to Facilitate Sale and Reorganization; Columbus, Mississippi
Facility Not Included in Filing,” press release, November 9, 2014.
39 INEOS Bio, “INEOS Bio Provides Operational Update,” press release, September 15, 2014.
40 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: RFS Pathways II, and Technical
Amendments to the RFS Standards and E15 Misfueling Mitigation Requirements; Final Rule,” 79 Federal Register
138, July 18, 2014.
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is not evident what has changed between the time the 2013 rule was finalized and the 2014 rule
was proposed. EMTS reports that 24,133,028 RINs were generated for cellulosic biofuel and
54,308 RINS were generated for cellulosic diesel for the 2014 standard, as of January 6, 2015.41 A
majority of the cellulosic biofuel RINS produced are for two new pathways approved by the EPA
in 2014: cellulosic biofuel renewable compressed natural gas and cellulosic biofuel renewable
liquefied natural gas. EPA reports that it intends to take action on the 2014 standard in 2015.42
This delay, for more than a year, raises significant uncertainty for biofuel producers, feedstock
growers, and refiners.43
Legislative Context
The shift toward large-scale, economically feasible production of cellulosic biofuels has thus far
proven elusive. Advancements have been made, but not in step with the pace set by Congress for
the RFS. Multiple factors have contributed to the cellulosic biofuels market being at the stage it is
today, with the two major factors being technological issues and a recession that slowed the
economy, including energy demand.44 Due to production shortfalls, EPA has significantly reduced
the cellulosic biofuels mandate each year from 2010 through 2013 and proposes to do so again for
2014. It appears that Congress overestimated how much cellulosic biofuel production would
occur on an annual basis. It also appears that projecting the production amount continues to be a
challenge for both EPA and the Energy Information Administration (EIA).45 Thus, it is difficult to
state with certainty how much cellulosic biofuel may be produced in the future and in what time
frame. If mandate reductions and continual production shortfalls signify that the cellulosic
biofuels mandate is not working as intended, Congress could decide that modifications are
necessary.
The Role of Congress
Congress continues to have the authority to maintain or amend the RFS statutory mandates.
Should the RFS be continued in its present form, amended, or eliminated completely? What
additional public costs would each of these options engender? When expanding the RFS in EISA,
Congress in effect made a technology choice by selecting a preferred technology (i.e., cellulosic
biofuel) among many unknown technologies. Undoing that commitment by modifying or
repealing the RFS could involve substantial costs to both public and private investors. The
discussion about whether the cellulosic biofuels industry requires additional federal support to
meet the RFS mandate has continued since the establishment of RFS1; however, the discussion
41 For more information, see http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/rfsdata/2014emts.htm.
42 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Notice of Delay in Issuing 2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard
Program,” Pre-publication copy, November 21, 2014.
43 When questioned about its rulemaking timeline for the RFS at a congressional hearing, the EPA responded that it
was committed to getting the rules out in 2015 and meeting deadlines for 2016, although no timeline was provided.
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care
and Entitlements, Examining EPA’s Management of the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, 113th Cong., December
10, 2014.
44 These and other cellulosic biofuel production challenges are further explained in the cellulosic biofuels section.
45 EIA reports that “its forecasts and projections to date have proven to be too optimistic, as volumes have been below
expectations.” U.S. Energy Information Administration, Cellulosic biofuels begin to flow but in lower volumes than
foreseen by statutory targets, February 26, 2013.
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became more pronounced when the RFS was expanded in 2007 to call for a much larger volume
of cellulosic biofuel to be produced in a shorter timeframe. In response, Members of the 112th and
113th Congresses proposed a variety of bills that would have affected the cellulosic biofuels
industry (see Table 2).
Table 2. Selected Proposed Legislation from the 113th and 112thCongresses
Pertaining to Cellulosic Biofuels
Congress Legislation
113th
•
H.R. 550 and S. 251 would have modified the way EPA projects
yearly cellulosic biofuel mandates.
•
H.R. 796 would have required a reduction in the advanced biofuel
mandate if the cellulosic mandate is lowered in any given year.
•
H.R. 1461 would have repealed the RFS.
•
H.R. 1462 would have eliminated the non-advanced biofuel portion
of the RFS and modified the way EPA projects yearly cellulosic
biofuel mandates.
112th
•
H.R. 230 would have modified the DOE Loan Guarantee Program,
appropriating funds for EPAct05 Section 1512 Conversion
Assistance for Cellulosic Biomass Waste-Derived Ethanol
Approved Renewable Fuels, establishing a loan guarantee program
for cel ulosic ethanol production technology development.
•
H.R. 424 would have amended the RFS to revert back to RFS1
targets and eliminated all advanced biofuel mandates.
•
H.R. 851, H.R. 2231, S. 884, S. 1294 would have implemented new
financial support mechanisms, extending relevant tax provisions.
•
H.R. 6047 would have modified the way EPA projects yearly
cellulosic biofuel volume mandates.
Source: CRS.
Notes: Legislation is presented in order of House introduction.
Congress could decide to modify the cellulosic biofuels mandate, and thus the RFS. This option
could require an analysis of the cellulosic biofuels market and, perhaps more importantly,
consideration of circumstances that were not as prevalent when the RFS was expanded in 2007.
Some of these circumstances include budget concerns, the blend wall,46 military interest in
renewable fuels,47 the slow development of the cellulosic biofuels production sector, and
relatively low gasoline prices. Such an analysis might quantify the amount of federal support
already granted to the cellulosic biofuels industry. EPA reports that four of the ten production
facilities with approved cellulosic biofuel pathways have received or were offered significant
federal financial support (approximately $387 million) in the form of grants and loan guarantees
from USDA and DOE.48 One analysis of federal and public funding data for advanced biofuel
46 The blend wall is the upper limit to the total amount of ethanol that can be blended into U.S. gasoline without
exceeding the currently utilized 10% level. For more information, see CRS Report R40445, Intermediate-Level Blends
of Ethanol in Gasoline, and the Ethanol “Blend Wall.”
47 Keith Johnson, “Navy’s Biofuel Plan Gets Senate Support,” The Wall Street Journal, November 28, 2012; P.L. 112-
81; H.Rept. 112-329.
48 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Proposed Rule,”
(continued...)
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projects provided by Environmental Entrepreneurs—an organization of business leaders—
suggested that, since 2007, USDA, DOE, and the Department of Defense (DOD) have provided
$928.4 million in grants and loan guarantees to eight companies that Environmental
Entrepreneurs expects to have commercial cellulosic biofuel facilities come online by 2017.49
Alternatively, Congress could take a wait-and-see approach to address concerns with the
cellulosic biofuels mandate. Given EPA’s consecutive lowering of the mandate by approximately
95% to 99% for each of the last four years, some question whether the cellulosic biofuels industry
can ramp up production over the next two years to meet the scheduled RFS mandates. There may
be an upcoming shift where some corn ethanol facilities plan to transition to cellulosic biofuel
production, and it is not known what effect this might have on cellulosic biofuel production
estimates.50 Further, it is not yet known what impact the additional feedstocks and production
pathways approved by EPA may have on meeting the RFS cellulosic biofuel mandate.51 Last,
Congress may leave it to EPA, as required by the statute, to modify the applicable volumes of the
RFS in its entirety starting in 2016 if certain conditions are met.52
It is possible that a substantial portion of the cellulosic biofuels volume mandate may be
unattainable for years to come. EIA reports that while “cellulosic biofuels volumes are expected
to grow significantly relative to current levels, they will likely remain well below the targets
envisioned in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.”53 Congress has multiple
options to address the lack of cellulosic biofuels production. Congress could make a statutory
change to the definition of cellulosic biofuels for the RFS to open it up to additional feedstocks
that can assist with meeting the annual production targets. Or Congress may continue to require
that the EPA set the cellulosic biofuels mandate based on the best available evidence—the status
quo option.54 In the 113th Congress, some Members proposed legislation (e.g., H.R. 550, S. 251)
that would have required EPA to base the cellulosic mandate on actual production from the
previous year. Congress could also eliminate the cellulosic biofuels portion of the mandate, or the
RFS entirely.
The Role of EPA
Congress directed EPA to implement the RFS. After assessing the cellulosic biofuels market,
consulting with EIA, and taking other measures, EPA has lowered the cellulosic biofuel standard
when the mandate could not be met. Some contend that EPA has not carried out its
(...continued)
78 Federal Register, November 29, 2013.
49 Environmental Entrepreneurs, E2 Advanced Biofuel Market Report 2014. CRS tallied USDA, DOE, and DOD
funding from Appendix H of the report for those companies with commercial facilities expected to come online in the
United States before 2017 that were identified as producing cellulosic biofuel in Appendix B of the report.
50 POET LLC, “POET and Agrivida sign technology collaboration joint development agreement,” press release, August
21, 2012.
51 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: RFS Pathways II, and Technical
Amendments to the RFS Standards and E15 Misfueling Mitigation Requirements; Final Rule,” 79 Federal Register
138, July 18, 2014.
52 More information is provided in the “Uncertainty” section of this report, below.
53 U.S. Energy Information Administration, Cellulosic biofuels begin to flow but in lower volumes than foreseen by
statutory targets, February 26, 2013.
54 Although some stakeholders have questioned whether EPA does, in fact, use the best available evidence.
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responsibilities regarding the RFS as expeditiously as desired.55 Some are not satisfied with the
accuracy of EPA’s annual cellulosic biofuel standard.56 One could argue that EPA has a difficult
job trying to follow through on Congress’s directions, given the challenges faced by the cellulosic
biofuels industry. Further, it could be argued that any federal agency would likely find it difficult
to accurately project when a new technology selected by Congress, not yet proven at commercial
scale, would come online and at what pace. EPA can modify its projection procedure for
cellulosic biofuels, and it can take into account the 2013 federal court decision about how EPA
estimates cellulosic biofuel production, but any major changes to its procedure would likely
require additional instruction from Congress.
The RFS final rules issued by EPA give an indication of how the agency thinks the cellulosic
biofuel industry will fare over the coming year. The rules contain various analyses and other
information to support the annual cellulosic biofuel standard. Information contained in the rules
varies given the state of the industry, court decisions, and other actions. For instance, there are at
least three significant distinctions in the 2013 final rule compared to previous rules: the changes
made in projecting cellulosic biofuel production, the discussions regarding feedstock supply, and
the facility start dates and corresponding ramp-up periods. EPA reports it made several changes to
the way the agency projects cellulosic biofuel production based on the recent federal court ruling
and to help “ensure a neutral projection that aims at accuracy.” For instance, EPA did not include
production volumes from pilot and demonstration scale facilities, or production volumes from
facilities with start-up dates near the end of the year, and did not set benchmarks for how quickly
the agency assumes new facilities will ramp up to full production. In its 2013 final rule, EPA
discussed feedstock supply more thoroughly than in previous rules. EPA noted that feedstock
agreements or contracts have been reached for structurally complete facilities and for facilities
expected to be complete by the end of the year.57 Additionally, in its 2013 rule EPA noted the
possibility for cellulosic biofuel to be produced from other sources, such as from corn fiber or
landfill biogas, depending on if and when these pathways are approved by EPA. Nevertheless, the
2013 rule still overstated the rate at which new production would come online.
The 2014 proposed rule builds on the information given in the 2013 final rule, and gives more
insight on certain factors that impact the 2014 cellulosic biofuel volume projection and how that
projection may be met. For example, there is a new section with details about modeling the
uncertainty associated with estimated cellulosic biofuel production ranges from numerous
facilities. EPA explains how it proposes to take into account uncertainty due to the completion
and commissioning phases of a facility, the ramp-up phase of new facilities, and the ability of a
facility to maintain consistent production. Further, in the 2014 proposed rule EPA explores how
potentially the 2014 mandate may be met if a new pathway—the production of compressed or
liquefied natural gas from landfill biogas if used as transportation fuel—is approved.58
55 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health
Care and Entitlements, Examining EPA’s Management of the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, 113th Cong., 2nd
sess., December 10, 2014; American Petroleum Institute, “EPA incapable of implementing the RFS, time for repeal,”
press release, November 21, 2014.
56 Institute for Energy Research, Comment on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed Rule: Regulation
of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards, March 25, 2013.
57 EPA reports that the INEOS Bio, KiOR, Poet, and Abengoa facilities all have feedstock agreements or contracts in
place.
58 EPA approved new cellulosic and advanced biofuel pathways in July 2014, including compressed natural gas and
liquefied natural gas produced from biogas from landfills, municipal waste-water treatment facility digesters,
agricultural digesters, and separated municipal solid waste digesters. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
(continued...)
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EPA has not been given much guidance by the courts, or Congress, on how to calculate a
cellulosic biofuels projection, although the methodology the agency used previously was under
scrutiny from the oil industry, among others, as evidenced by the recent court case concerning the
2012 cellulosic biofuels standard and a pending court case addressing the 2011 standard. It is not
clear if the current methodology being used for the 2014 standard will face the same scrutiny. If a
projection repeatedly is not met and sources enlisted for assistance provide projections that turn
out to be wrong (e.g., EIA, cellulosic biofuel industry), should EPA at some point have set the
cellulosic biofuels standard at close to zero (e.g., 100,000 gallons) until actual commercial
production of a certain threshold is reached? Arguably, setting a standard too low could impact
federal support (e.g., grants, tax incentives) and private investment for the technology. This could
hinder the overall goals of the RFS, such as economic development in rural areas. Prospects for
the cellulosic biofuels industry could be affected if EPA continues to incorrectly project annual
amounts of cellulosic biofuel production.
Legal Challenges
Mainly due to implementation issues, some aspects of the RFS have been legally challenged in
the courts. Since 2010, five cases involving the EPA and its administration of the RFS have been
brought before a federal court.59 One case in particular is germane to the cellulosic biofuel
mandate: American Petroleum Institute v. EPA (hereinafter API v. EPA).
API challenged the EPA about two aspects of the RFS, and subsequently the challenge was
referred to the U.S. Court of Appeals. The first aspect, which is directly related to cellulosic
biofuels, was an objection to EPA’s 2012 cellulosic biofuels projection (i.e., whether EPA used an
appropriate methodology to estimate the amount of cellulosic biofuels that can be produced). The
court agreed with API and found that EPA’s methodology for making its cellulosic biofuel
projection did not take neutral aim at accuracy, and therefore it was an unreasonable exercise of
agency discretion.60 The court went on to explain that the Clean Air Act tasked EPA with
establishing a projection that aims at accuracy, not at deliberately indulging a greater risk of
overshooting than undershooting.61 The 2012 rule was vacated and remanded to EPA, which set
the final 2012 level at zero. EPA accepted the federal court’s decision to vacate the 2012
cellulosic biofuel standard, and in its 2014 proposed rule proposed to rescind the 2011 standard as
well.62 The second aspect of the petition was an objection to EPA not providing a reasoned
(...continued)
“Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: RFS Pathways II, and Technical Amendments to the RFS Standards and E15
Misfueling Mitigation Requirements; Final Rule,” 79 Federal Register 138, July 18, 2014. EPA continues to work on
approving new cellulosic biofuel pathways for the RFS, recently announcing that it is seeking public comment on
lifecycle GHG emissions for renewable fuels produced from biomass sorghum. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
“Notice of Opportunity to Comment on the Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Renewable Fuels Produced from
Biomass Sorghum,” 79 Federal Register, December 31, 2014.
59 Monroe Energy, LLC v. EPA, 750 F.3d 909 (D.C. Cir. 2014); American Petroleum Institute v. EPA, 706 F.3d 474
(D.C. Cir. 2013); Vinmar Overseas, Ltd. v. OceanConnect, LLC, 2012 Westlaw 3599486 (S.D. Tex. Aug. 20, 2012),
2012 Westlaw 5989206 (S.D. Tex. Nov 29, 2012); Grocery Manufacturers Association v. EPA, 693 F.3d 169 (D.C.
Cir. 2012); National Petrochemical & Refiners Association v. EPA, 630 F.3d 145 (D.C. Cir. 2010).
60 706 F.3d 474, *476
61 706 F.3d 474, *479
62 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Enviroflash, Update - 2012 Cellulosic Biofuel Standard Mandate Issued,
February 27, 2013; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard
Program; Proposed Rule,” 78 Federal Register, November 29, 2013.
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explanation for its refusal to reduce the 2012 advanced biofuels volume standard. The court
rejected this part of the petition. In subsequent rules issued by EPA, the agency appears to address
principles contained in the court ruling, such as, in its 2013 final rule, its responsibility to
accurately project how much cellulosic biofuel will be produced, not to “individually advance a
technology-forcing [cellulosic biofuels] agenda.”63
Uncertainty
One overwhelming theme is associated with the RFS cellulosic biofuel mandate: uncertainty. It
comes from all stakeholders—government and non-government. What will the revised annual
cellulosic biofuel standard be? When will the standard be announced? What federal funding
sources (e.g., tax incentives, farm bill energy provisions) exist for cellulosic biofuel facilities?
How many cellulosic biofuel plants exist? How many are operating? How much cellulosic biofuel
will be produced? Many times, the only known constant seems to be the statute itself. Such
uncertainty can potentially wreak havoc on an emerging industry. This section discusses some of
the uncertainties.
One source of uncertainty, particularly for investors in cellulosic biofuel ventures, concerns EPA’s
waiver authority. Investors may fear that the full cellulosic biofuels mandate will continually be
waived to lower amounts by EPA, thus depriving them of the government-mandated market on
which they had originally based their investment. EPA’s 2014 proposal to lower the overall RFS
may further hamper investment.
Another form of uncertainty for all involved parties is the delayed announcement of the proposed
annual renewable fuel standards. Under the Clean Air Act, each year’s standards are required to
be finalized by November 30 of the previous year, although the statute does not stipulate any
penalty or other action if this deadline is missed. The delay may lead to uncertainty in
investments and planning for the biofuel and petroleum industries, among others. EPA announced
that the compliance deadline for the 2013 RFS standards will take place in 2015.64 For the 2014
standards, the final rule still has not been issued. EPA had issued a proposed rule for 2014 prior to
the November 30, 2013, deadline for the final rule. EPA reports that it “intend[s] to take action on
the 2014 standards rule in 2015 prior to or in conjunction with action on the 2015 standards
rule.”65 EPA has not issued a proposed rule for the 2015 standards, although a final rule was due
on November 30, 2014.
Those in favor of continuing an RFS with a cellulosic biofuels component argue that adequate
production and consumption of cellulosic biofuels can be achieved in a cost-effective manner if
there is consistent federal policy, possibly allaying the concerns of some investors.66 However,
minimal actual production has led some to question the viability of cellulosic biofuels over the
long term.67 Furthermore, a cellulosic biofuels industry that has regularly not produced enough
63 American Petroleum Institute v. EPA, 706 F.3d 474 (D.C. Cir. 2013).
64 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Notice of Delay in Issuing 2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard
Program,” Pre-publication copy, November 21, 2014.
65 On December 1, 2014, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers provided notice to EPA that it intends to
sue EPA for not issuing the proposed 2015 standard by the date of November 30, 2014 required by the statute.
66 John M. Biers, “Non-Food Ethanol Projects Coming to Life,” Dow Jones Newswires, November 20, 2012.
67 “Zero Dark Ethanol,” The Wall Street Journal, January 30, 2013.
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biofuel to meet the annual standard has drawn criticism from groups—especially the petroleum
industry—that contend they are being unfairly targeted to purchase credits for a fuel that is
unlikely to be produced at the required levels.68 Last, investors and the cellulosic biofuels
community alike may be more apprehensive about the federal policy for advanced biofuels as
2016 draws nearer. There is a provision in the RFS statute that requires the EPA Administrator,
starting in 2016, to modify the applicable volumes of the RFS in its entirety for subsequent years
if the Administrator waives the renewable fuel mandate, the advanced biofuel mandate, the
cellulosic biofuels mandate, or the biomass-based diesel mandate by at least 20% for two
consecutive years or by at least 50% for a single year.69 As a result, in 2016, some biofuel
industries (e.g., corn ethanol) that are satisfying their mandates may find that they are being
penalized because of another biofuel industry (e.g., cellulosic biofuel) that is not meeting its
specified mandate.70
Background on Cellulosic Biofuels
Cellulosic biofuels are liquid, solid, or gaseous fuels made from materials containing cellulose.
Cellulose—a complex carbohydrate—is the organic matter found in plant walls that, along with
hemicellulose and lignin, helps to give a plant its rigid structure. Cellulose feedstock includes
agricultural residues (e.g., corn stover), forestry residues (e.g., wood chips), dedicated energy
crops (e.g., switchgrass, hybrid poplar), and urban sources of waste (e.g., municipal solid waste).
The most widely discussed cellulosic biofuel is cellulosic ethanol for transportation.71 Cellulosic
ethanol differs from the corn-starch ethanol, which dominates transportation biofuels in the
United States; it is made from feedstock with no or only limited food value, potentially results in
lower greenhouse gas emissions, and has a higher lifecycle energy balance.72 Converting
cellulosic feedstock to ethanol, however, is more expensive and difficult than converting corn
starch to ethanol. The conversion of cellulose to ethanol generally happens in three phases—
pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation to ethanol. Pretreatment weakens the plant wall
structure so that the cellulose is easier to obtain during hydrolysis. Hydrolysis—acid or
enzymatic—separates the cellulose into sugars. Fermentation converts the sugars into ethanol.
Cellulose can also be converted to liquid fuels through processes other than fermentation (e.g.,
thermochemical processes).73
68 “Oil Industry Sues EPA a Second Time Over RFS Mandate,” The Energy Daily, July 26, 2012.
69 42 U.S.C. 7545 (o)(7)(F).
70 Some may argue that there is evidence of this currently occurring, as 2014 is the first year that EPA proposed to
lower both the advanced biofuel mandate and the total renewable fuel mandate, partly due to an “inadequate domestic
supply of these fuels.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard
Program; Proposed Rule,” 78 Federal Register, November 29, 2013.
71 For more information on cellulosic biofuels, see CRS Report RL34738, Cellulosic Biofuels: Analysis of Policy Issues
for Congress.
72 For more information on ethanol, see CRS Report RL33290, Fuel Ethanol: Background and Public Policy Issues.
73 Cellulose feedstocks can also be used to provide heat or generate electricity via gasification, combustion, anaerobic
digestion, and other conversion processes. For more information, see CRS Report R40667, Anaerobic Digestion:
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction and Energy Generation; and CRS Report R41440, Biomass Feedstocks for
Biopower: Background and Selected Issues.
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Potential Benefits of Cellulosic Biofuels
It has been anticipated that cellulosic biofuel production would assist various energy,
environment, and economic efforts. Cellulosic biofuel production has not yet reached full scale,
making it difficult to quantify its impact. However, some general potential benefits can be
explored.
Energy Security
Cellulosic biofuel production—at full capacity and with the proper infrastructure—may expand
the fuel types available to the average consumer. This could help to strengthen energy security,
and galvanize a market for services, technologies, and products that are associated with its
production and use. Any such developments are likely to be contingent, at a minimum, on a
cellulosic biofuel that is sustainable and has an energy density suitable to what the energy
industry has come to expect from fossil fuels.
Environment
Cellulosic biofuels, if they can be produced at scale, may result in some environmental benefits,
including greenhouse gas emission reduction, air quality improvement, and the use of more water
efficient strategies, among other things. EISA requires any cellulosic biofuel registered with the
RFS to have lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions that are at least 60% less than the baseline
lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions (i.e., of the gasoline or diesel it is to replace).74 One lifecycle
greenhouse gas emission analysis of petroleum gasoline, corn ethanol, and cellulosic ethanol
reported that cellulosic ethanol offered the largest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.75
Further, within the cellulosic biofuel feedstock arena, it may be that greater greenhouse gas
emissions reductions are possible by using forest-based feedstocks as opposed to agricultural-
based feedstocks.76 Actual GHG emission results for cellulosic biofuel production will vary based
on a number of factors, including the time frame of the assessment, the feedstock used, the
cellulosic biofuel production technology type, and more. Robust analyses of the GHG emission
reduction possible from cellulosic biofuel production will require more data from biofuel
facilities and feedstock suppliers as facilities come online. While more operational plants are
needed to gauge the air quality impact and the water use from cellulosic biofuel production, it
may be that technological advances over time will lead to adoption of more efficient water use
and better air pollution control, based partially on lessons learned from conventional corn ethanol
facilities.77
74 42 U.S.C. 7545 (o)(1)(E).
75 Michael Wang, Jeongwoo Han, and Zia Haq, et al., “Energy and greenhouse gas emission effects of corn and
cellulosic ethanol with technology improvements and land use changes,” Biomass and Bioenergy, vol. 35 (2011).
76 Jesse Daystar, Ronalds Gonzalez, and Carter Reeb, et al., “Economics, Environmental Impacts, and Supply Chain
Analysis of Cellulosic Biomass for Biofuels in the Southern US: Pine, Eucalyptus, Unmanaged Hardwoods, Forest
Residues, Switchgrass, and Sweet Sorghum,” Bioresources, vol. 9, no. 1 (2014). The study considered pine, eucalyptus,
unmanaged hardwood, and forest residuals to be forest-based feedstock, and switchgrass and sweet sorghum to be
agriculture-based feedstock.
77 National Research Council, “Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United States,” 2008; Donna Jones,
“Potential air emission impacts of cellulosic ethanol production at seven demonstration refineries in the United States,”
Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, vol. 60 (September 2010).
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Rural Economic Development
Thus far, cellulosic biofuel production facilities have been constructed in close proximity to the
feedstock to be utilized (e.g., crop residue, forestry residue). With the exception of some eligible
feedstocks (e.g., yard waste, food waste), this would place cellulosic biofuel production facilities
in rural areas, which could enhance some rural economies. A transportation conundrum may
result from cellulosic biofuel production facilities being located in rural areas, specifically the
transfer of fuel to where it is needed most, which is areas with high demand for transportation
fuel (e.g., large cities). Currently, availability of rail capacity and tank cars for conventional
ethanol is limited—a situation that could be exacerbated if demand grows with additional
cellulosic biofuel production.
Potential Challenges for Cellulosic Biofuels
U.S. production of cellulosic biofuels has had a slow start. Impediments to increasing capacity
involve a variety of factors, including financing, feedstock eligibility, and feedstock supply,
among others.
Financing
The production of cellulosic biofuels has been reported to be “complex, capital-intensive, and
costly.”78 Commercial cellulosic biofuel facilities are estimated to cost hundreds of millions of
dollars, significantly more than a traditional corn ethanol plant, especially when measured in
terms of the amount of biofuel produced (measured in million gallons per year, or mgy). For
example, the company INEOS Bio reports that its Indian River 8 mgy production capacity plant
cost approximately $130 million.79 American Process, Inc., reports that its Alpena 0.8 mgy pilot
plant cost approximately $36 million.80 POET-DSM reports that its 25 mgy commercial cellulosic
ethanol plant, which opened in September 2014, cost approximately $250 million.81 DuPont
reports that its 30 mgy cellulosic ethanol plant cost approximately $225 million.82 In comparison,
a 40 mgy corn ethanol plant cost approximately $80 million to construct in 2006.83 Some lenders
find it extremely risky, perhaps even cost-prohibitive, to provide financial backing to cellulosic
biofuel plants, mainly because the conversion technology has not been applied or proven on a
78 U.S. Congressional Budget Office, The Renewable Fuel Standard: Issues for 2014 and Beyond, June 2014.
79 Email from Bryan Stockton of ML Strategies, December 13, 2012.
80 Email from Kim Nelson of American Process, Inc., December 11, 2012.
81 POET-DSM, Testimony of Kevin Potas, Business Development Manager at POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, EPA
Public Hearing for the 2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, December 5, 2013,
http://www.poetdsm.com/testimony. POET-DSM, “First commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in the U.S. opens
for business,” press release, September 3, 2014, http://poetdsm.com/pr/first-commercial-scale-cellulosic-plant.
82 DuPont Cellulosic Ethanol: Commercializing Advanced Renewable Fuel in Iowa, 2013, http://biofuels.dupont.com/
fileadmin/user_upload/live/biofuels/DuPont_Nevada_CE_final.pdf.
83 Clean Fuels Development Corporation, Nebraska Ethanol Board, and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, A Guide for
Evaluating the Requirements of Ethanol Plants, 2006, http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmgmt/
guide_for_evaluating_the_requirements_of_ethanol_plants.pdf.
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commercial scale.84 These costs, and the perceived financial risk, are likely to decrease if a
significant number of commercial-scale plants come online and prove to be economically viable.
Feedstock Eligibility
When determining feedstock eligibility for the RFS, definitions matter. Due to the many biofuel
programs at various federal agencies and tax incentives, there is a plethora of biomass definitions
and other terminology that describe biomass feedstock for cellulosic biofuel production.
However, only the definitions contained in EISA Section 201 may deem a feedstock or fuel
eligible for the RFS.85
Feedstock Supply
Another cellulosic biofuel production challenge is feedstock contracts, which will likely cover
multiple years. Cellulosic biofuel production companies generally want to “lock in” their
feedstock supply, preferably at a set price for a predetermined time in order to have better
projections of operational costs. Agricultural and forestry producers may not agree to a contract
for a cellulosic feedstock that requires a lengthy time commitment. For example, it generally
takes three years for switchgrass crops to reach maturity.86 As a result, a producer would have to
commit its land to one particular cellulosic feedstock crop for a number of years, thus limiting the
producer’s choice to grow other, potentially more remunerative crops during that period. Some
are concerned about collecting cellulosic feedstocks in a way that could possibly harm the
landscape (e.g., soil carbon, water quality). One potential strategy is the use of conservation
planning for any land involved in cellulosic feedstock collection.87 Conservation planning allows
a producer to maintain, protect, and improve the natural resources of the land, helping to ensuring
that those resources remain in the best possible condition and exist in the future. For instance, a
producer who implements soil and water conservation techniques, and other non-conservation
planning measures, should be able to annually provide feedstock to a biofuel producer with
84 For more information on federal spending for cellulosic biofuels, see CRS Report RL34738, Cellulosic Biofuels:
Analysis of Policy Issues for Congress.
85 There are some important distinctions about the renewable biomass definition for the RFS contained in EISA as
compared to other laws. For example, the renewable biomass definition for the RFS under EISA does not allow for
biomass removed from federal lands, and excludes crops from forested lands. There have been ongoing discussions to
modify both the cellulosic biofuel definition and the renewable biomass definition for the RFS under EISA. Some
suggest that broadening the cellulosic biofuel definition to include more feedstocks and fuel pathways could help
industry to meet the annual RFS mandates. It is not clear that EPA has the capacity to address such additions.
Moreover, some argue that a renewable biomass definition that allows biomass removal from federal lands could
provide an inexpensive supply of cellulosic feedstock that would be immediately available to biorefineries for
cellulosic biofuel production. Others contend that biomass removal from federal lands is a short-term response to the
cellulosic feedstock source problem and might not be carried out in a sustainable manner, leading to deterioration of the
nation’s parks and recreation areas. Further, the definition of biomass under EISA also excludes most municipal solid
waste (MSW), which some view as a potential source for conversion to biofuels. For more information on biomass
definitions, see CRS Report R40529, Biomass: Comparison of Definitions in Legislation.
86 University of Tennessee, Growing and Harvesting Switchgrass for Ethanol Production in Tennessee, SP701-A,
http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/spfiles/SP701-A.pdf.
87 For example, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and DuPont signed a memorandum of
understanding with the goal “to safeguard natural resources on private lands used to supply bio-based feedstocks for
cellulosic ethanol production.” U.S. Department of Agriculture, “USDA Announces New Conservation Collaboration
with DuPont to Promote Sustainable Harvesting of Bio-based Feedstocks for Cellulosic Ethanol,” press release, March
29, 2013.
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minimal natural resource disturbance Additionally, there are concerns about the equipment and
time needed to harvest, transport, and store the cellulosic feedstock. Some could contend that
these concerns are perfectly normal for an emerging business model, and that the feedstock
supply challenges will be overcome as more cellulosic biofuel production plants come into
operation. In early 2013, EPA reported that the industry had made significant progress regarding
feedstock supply, citing companies that have secured feedstock contracts with local agricultural
producers.88
Existing Plant Capacity
In terms of starting commercial-scale cellulosic biofuel production, 2014 could be deemed a
banner year for the cellulosic biofuels industry, with the opening of three commercial-scale
cellulosic ethanol facilities. Quad County Corn Processors in Iowa started producing cellulosic
ethanol from corn kernel fiber in July 2014. The “bolt-on” project, which has a production
capacity of up to 2 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year, is an add-on to the existing 35
mgy corn starch ethanol facility.89 September 2014 brought the commencement of the POET-
DSM Project Liberty plant in Iowa, a commercial-scale facility producing cellulosic ethanol from
corn stover with a production capacity of up to 25 million gallons.90 And in October 2014,
Abengoa opened a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Kansas.91 The plant produces
cellulosic ethanol from crop residues and has a production capacity of up to 25 mgy.
However, EPA reports that cellulosic biofuel production in the United States remains limited.92 In
its 2014 proposed rule, EPA provides information on 11 companies and one additional industry
(compressed and liquified natural gas) with the potential to produce cellulosic biofuels.93 EPA’s
assessment includes their biofuel production estimates, technology process, and anticipated start
dates. Four of the companies identified in the 2014 proposed rule were also identified in the 2013
final rule.
As observed over the last few years, due to unforeseen financial and technical issues, it can be
difficult to determine when or if cellulosic biofuel companies will actually come online and how
much cellulosic biofuel will be produced. In 2010, it was reported that approximately two dozen
demonstration- or pilot-scale cellulosic ethanol plants existed in the United States.94 The
88 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards;
Final Rule,” 78 Federal Register, August 15, 2013.
89 Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, “Quad County Corn Processors Produces First Gallons of Cellulosic Ethanol in
Iowa,” press release, July 1, 2014.
90 POET-DSM, “First commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in the U.S. opens for business,” press release,
September 3, 2014, http://poetdsm.com/pr/first-commercial-scale-cellulosic-plant.
91 Abengoa, “Abengoa celebrates grand opening of its first commercial-scale next generation biofuels plant,” press
release, October 17, 2014.
92 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards;
Final Rule,” 78 Federal Register, August 15, 2013.
93 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Proposed Rule,”
78 Federal Register, November 29, 2013.
94 Wallace E. Tyner and Sarah Brechbill, “Cellulosic Biofuels: Feedstocks, Conversion Technologies, Economics, and
Policy Issues,” CRS Workshop on the Development of the U.S. Cellulosic Biofuels Industry, Washington, DC, October
6, 2009; and conversation with Wallace Tyner from Purdue University, February 2, 2010; CRS Report R41460,
Cellulosic Ethanol: Feedstocks, Conversion Technologies, Economics, and Policy Options; EPA, Renewable Fuel
Standard Program (RFS2) Regulatory Impact Analysis, EPA-420-R-10-006, Washington, DC, February 2010, pp. 171
(continued...)
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Advanced Ethanol Council reported in 2012 that there were nine cellulosic biofuel
pilot/demonstration facilities, eight commercial facilities under construction or commissioning,
and seven commercial facilities at the engineering stage.95 Environmental Entrepreneurs projects
that 17 commercial cellulosic biofuel facilities will come online in the United States by 2017,
with at least 12 of the facilities producing cellulosic ethanol.96
Financial Assistance
Several forms of federal financial support exist for cellulosic biofuel production, including the
DOE Loan Guarantee Program, the USDA Biorefinery Renewable Chemical, and Biobased
Manufacturing Assistance Program (BAP), BCAP, and tax incentives. For example, since at least
2008, the government has provided tax incentives to support cellulosic biofuel production.97
Other sources of financial assistance include smaller grants awarded by federal agencies for
unique initiatives.98
To help promote cleaner energy technologies, including cellulosic biofuel production
technologies, Congress established the Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Guarantee Program
(LGP).99 Loans may not exceed 80% of total project costs. The DOE Section 1703 loan program
supports clean energy technologies that are high technology risks (e.g., biomass, solar, alternative
(...continued)
and 186, http://www.epa.gov/oms/renewablefuels/420r10006.pdf.
95 Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC), Cellulosic Biofuels Industry Progress Report 2012-2013, December 2012,
http://ethanolrfa.org/page/-/PDFs/AEC%20Cellulosic%20Biofuels%20Industry%20Progress%20Report%202012-
2013.pdf?nocdn=1. AEC acknowledges the report does not profile all cellulosic biofuel projects under development in
the United States.
96 Environmental Entrepreneurs, E2 Advanced Biofuel Market Report 2014, 2014. CRS tallied commercial facilities
listed in Appendix B that are to be located in the United States and projected to produce cellulosic biofuel by 2017.
97 For more information, see CRS Report R42566, Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives: A
Summary of Federal Programs. The 113th Congress passed a tax extenders bill, P.L. 113-295, that extended the
expiration date for the second generation biofuel producer credit and the special allowance for second generation
biofuel plant property to January 1, 2015.
98 For example, on December 2, 2014, USDA announced it will award $5.6 million in grants to 220 producers across
the nation to support the production of advanced biofuels. U.S. Department of Agriculture, “USDA Announces Support
for Producers of Advanced Biofuel,” press release, December 2, 2014, http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/
usdahome?contentid=2014/12/0259.xml&contentidonly=true. Further, the DOE offered $10 million in funding to
advance the production of advanced biofuels, substitutes for petroleum-based feedstocks, and bioproducts made from
renewable, non-food-based biomass, such as agricultural residues and woody biomass in April 2014. Also, in July
2014, DOE issued a loan guarantee solicitation for up to $4 billion in loan guarantees available for innovative
renewable energy and energy efficiency projects located in the United States that avoid, reduce, or sequester
greenhouse gases, including drop-in biofuels. U.S. Department of Energy, “Energy Department Announces $10 Million
for Technologies to Produce Advanced Biofuel Products from Biomass,” press release, April 16, 2014. U.S.
Department of Energy, “Energy Department Makes Additional $4 Billion in Loan Guarantees Available for Innovative
Renewable Energy and Efficient Energy Projects,” press release, July 3, 2014.
99 A loan guarantee is defined as a “pledge with respect to the payment of all or a part of the principal or interest on any
debt obligation of a non-federal borrower to a non-federal lender.” The LGP was first authorized under Title XVII of
EPAct05 and then amended under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5). DOE may issue
loan guarantees to eligible projects that “avoid, reduce, or sequester air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of
greenhouse gases” and “employ new or significantly improved technologies as compared to technologies in service in
the United States at the time the guarantee is issued.” Eligible projects include commercial-scale renewable energy
systems. EISA authorized the DOE to issue loan guarantees in part to support renewable energy projects. For more
information on loan guarantees, see CRS Report R42152, Loan Guarantees for Clean Energy Technologies: Goals,
Concerns, and Policy Options.
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fuel vehicle technologies). In addition, the DOE Section 1705 loan program, which expired in
2011, supported renewable energy systems, electric power transmission systems, and leading-
edge biofuels.100 Some in the industry are concerned that the LGP is not being carried out at a
pace responsive to market momentum for cellulosic biofuels.101
The USDA BAP assists in the development of new and emerging technologies for advanced
biofuels.102 BAP provides competitive grants and loan guarantees for construction and/or
retrofitting of demonstration-scale biorefineries to demonstrate the commercial viability of one or
more processes for converting renewable biomass to advanced biofuels. Because BAP has not
received any discretionary funding needed to implement the grant portion of the program, USDA
has only implemented the loan guarantee portion of the program using mandatory funding. USDA
reports that seven biorefineries were granted a BAP conditional commitment for a loan guarantee
at a total of approximately $704 million from FY2009 through FY2012.103 Under the 2014 farm
bill, BAP received mandatory funding of $100 million in FY2014 for loan guarantees.
Another federal government program, focused on feedstock development, is the USDA Biomass
Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).104 The two main program objectives of BCAP are to support
the establishment and production of eligible crops for conversion to bioenergy in selected areas,
and to assist agricultural and forest land owners and operators with collection, harvest, storage,
and transportation of eligible materials for use in a biomass conversion facility. USDA issued the
BCAP final rule on October 27, 2010, implementing both program components. Since the
program’s inception, 11 BCAP project areas have been established.105 According to USDA,
BCAP matching payments106 totaled approximately $1.02 million for the transportation of nearly
24,100 dry tons of herbaceous crop residue (i.e., corn stover) in FY2012.107 BCAP received no
new mandatory funding in FY2013.108
100 In 2011, a Section 1705 loan for $132.4 million was awarded to Abengoa Bioenergy Biomass of Kansas, LLC for a
commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol project. U.S. Department of Energy, “Energy Department Finalizes $132 Million
Loan Guarantee to Support the Abengoa Bioenergy Project,” press release, September 29, 2011, http://energy.gov/
articles/energy-department-finalizes-132-million-loan-guarantee-support-abengoa-bioenergy-project.
101 Renewable Fuels Association, “2010 State of the Industry Address,” 2010 National Ethanol Conference, Orlando,
FL, February 16, 2010, http://ethanolrfa.3cdn.net/b76292e4bf133edd34_e1m6bhh33.pdf.
102 For more information, see CRS Report R43416, Energy Provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill (P.L. 113-79).
103 Email from Ashley Martin, USDA, March 1, 2013.
104 BCAP receives its authorization from Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-
171) and was amended by Title IX of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246). For more
information on BCAP, see CRS Report R41296, Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP): Status and Issues; or visit
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=ener&topic=bcap.
105 BCAP project areas are specific geographic areas where producers may enroll land to grow specified biomass crops.
Participants may be eligible to receive financial and technical assistance as well as annual payments to establish these
crops.
106 Matching payments are provided for the collection, harvest, storage and transport of eligible biomass materials to
qualified biomass conversion facilities.
107 Email from Ashley Martin, USDA, July 23, 2014.
108 For more information, see the “Interim Funding in 2013” section of CRS Report R41296, Biomass Crop Assistance
Program (BCAP): Status and Issues.
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Conclusion
Cellulosic biofuel has supporters and detractors. Proponents suggest that increased use of
cellulosic biofuels for transportation could potentially help to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign
oil, strengthen rural economies, and improve the environment. In contrast, others argue that
cellulosic biofuels at RFS volumes may never materialize, and would require a substantial
feedstock supply that has yet to be verified and may never be cost-competitive without
government support.
Cellulosic biofuel production is not at the stage many predicted it to be. The lower production
levels make it nearly impossible to meet the RFS annual cellulosic biofuel volume obligations in
the near future. The crux of the matter could be that a lack of cellulosic biofuel production may
eventually jeopardize the entire advanced biofuel component of the RFS. Year after year, the
same reasons are given as to why production has stagnated—technological setbacks, lack of
financing, etc. Additionally, uncertainty is a recurring theme both for cellulosic biofuel
production and RFS implementation. Some observers maintain that it is questionable whether the
industry will make substantial progress toward the goals that Congress established, unless
unifying steps are taken by all stakeholders, including clear direction from Congress; prompt
program implementation by the EPA; assured financial and technical support from USDA and
DOE; and investment and transparency from the private sector, among others.
Author Contact Information
Kelsi Bracmort
Specialist in Agricultural Conservation and Natural
Resources Policy
kbracmort@crs.loc.gov, 7-7283
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