This is something that impacts us all but is a bit unclear for many folks. Here’s Blue Sun’s 60-second overview.

The RFS-2 is the “Renewable Fuels Standard” and is managed by the EPA. It is the program to enact the directives of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The standard requires that a specified percentage of all transportation fuels be alternative fuels. We are currently operating under RFS-1, with the RFS-2 waiting in its mandated comment period before its final approval.

What RFS-2 does:
• Establishes required volumes of alternative fuels (11.1B gallons total in 2009).
• Defines 4 sub-types of alternative fuel (renewable fuel, advanced biofuel, biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel).
o Requires these fuels to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) by specific levels to qualify (20%, 50%, 50% and 60% respectively for the four fuel types listed above. 2005 baseline.)
o Uses life-cycle emissions analysis to calculate GHG emission levels for each fuel.
o Includes Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) effects in life-cycle calculation.
• Expands regulation to cover diesel and off-road fuel (in addition to on-road gasoline) when calculating base for required renewable fuel volumes.
• The rule applies to “obligated parties” which are refiners, blenders and importers of transportation fuel, and specifies the percentage of their fuel production which must be alternative fuel.

What it means for your fuel:
• More alternative fuel options will begin to be available for vehicles. These options are likely to require no modification of a vehicle’s engine to use the fuel. Blue Sun will be a part of developing these fuels.
• Blue Sun FUSION fuel will remain a major alternative fuel for diesel vehicles for a long time. Only the feedstock that is used to make the fuel may change.
• End users are in no way federally-mandated to use a specific fuel (though we highly recommend using Blue Sun Fusion).

The RFS-2 is not final yet – it is still in the public comment period that the EPA will use to craft the final version. Until that time the RFS-1 standard will apply.

Blue Sun FUSION can help you meet RFS-1 and RFS-2 requirements. If you want to run a true “renewable fuel” Blue Sun FUSION is your best option. FUSION reduces emissions while maintaining the performance you expect from your vehicle.

We hoped this helped your understanding of the Renewable Fuels Standard. If you want more detail now, download the EPA’s overview from http://www.epa.gov/OMS/renewablefuels/420f09023.pdf

Keep an eye out for our 60-second update on California’s Low Carbon Fuels Standard. The LCFS is the engine running the alternative fuels train right now.

For more about Blue Sun visit http://www.gobluesun.com