Citing data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) says U.S. consumers used a record of nearly 2.1 billion gallons of biodiesel in 2015, reducing the nation’s carbon emissions by at least 18.2 million metric tons in the past year.
“We’re seeing [biodiesel] take hold across the country. Consumers are seeking out cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels, and they see biodiesel as a high-performing, cost-competitive alternative to petroleum diesel,” says Joe Jobe, CEO of the NBB. “These numbers also show, without question, that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is delivering significant volumes of advanced biofuel to the American people. They prove that the RFS is absolutely working.”
“Biodiesel is still a young industry, but it is becoming a mainstream American fuel that’s having a real impact in helping us cut pollution, create jobs and diversify the fuels market,” Jobe continues.
Fuel companies have produced 2.09 billion gallons of biodiesel in 2015, up from about 1.97 billion gallons in 2014, says the NBB. Domestic production remained flat at about 1.42 billion gallons, compared with about 1.47 billion gallons in 2014 and 1.50 billion gallons in 2013. Meanwhile, the NBB adds, imports rose from 510 million gallons in 2014 to an estimated 670 million gallons in 2015 – a jump of more than 25%.
