EPA Rolls Out Environmental Manual for Biodiesel Facilities

First posted on 11-19-2008

As the biodiesel industry continues to grow, the National Biodiesel Board
welcomes a new Environmental Protection Agency guide that will help the industry navigate existing
environmental regulations. EPA Region 7 today released the user-friendly manual that identifies
environmental regulatory rules and requirements for the construction and operation of biodiesel
production facilities.
Region 7 Administrator John B. Askew said, “We are taking steps to provide useful tools to help biodiesel
facilities comply with environmental regulations. The manual serves as a road map of federal
environmental information. EPA is addressing our nation’s growing energy demand in a way that
supports our goals for a clean environment, supports farmers and rural America, and supports greater
energy security.”
As in other parts of the nation, the Midwestern states of EPA Region 7 are active on America’s renewable
fuels frontier. Through the long-term efforts of the agricultural and biodiesel community, rural residents
are seeing growth in the construction of biodiesel plants and the supporting infrastructure.
The manual provides practical examples to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. EPA
includes a contact directory of key federal and state officials. EPA Region 7 staff members are available
to answer questions about the applicability of environmental requirements to renewable fuel facilities.
Joe Jobe, NBB CEO, commended EPA on developing the manual for the industry.
“We appreciate that the document includes EPA’s recognition that biodiesel contributes to the wellbeing
of the environment by ‘significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions’ and other pollutants,” he said.
“Biodiesel use is a viable part of protecting the environment, and we look forward to working closely
with the agency on future mutual goals.”
The manual also cites research that shows “the production of biodiesel compared to the production of
petroleum fuels generates 78% less carbon dioxide, 79% less wastewater, and 96% less hazardous waste.”
An EPA Region 7 biofuels team of engineers, scientists, and environmental protection specialists
developed the manual after seeking input from a variety of stakeholders. The biodiesel manual is
available at the following Web site:
http://www.epa.gov/region07/priorities/agriculture/index.htm#biofuels.
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Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable alternative to diesel fuel and can be made from plant oils,
animal fats, recycled restaurant grease or new sources such as algae. As of September 2008, there were
176 biodiesel plants in operation nationwide with an annual production capacity of 2.6 billion gallons per
year.
The NBB is the national trade association of the biodiesel industry and is the coordinating body for
biodiesel research and development in the U.S.