USDA Out With Interim Biofuel Rule

The Department of Agriculture published an interim rule Wednesday, that focused on technical guidelines for climate smart agriculture crops used as biofuel feedstocks. 

“These standards could be adopted by clean transportation fuel programs, who incentivize the production of biofuel feedstock crops using climate smart practices," said USDA Head Tom Vilsack.  "If leveraged in clean transportation fuel programs, these standards may help farm producers earn a price premium for reduce carbon intensity biofuel feedstocks facilitating both climate benefits and new market opportunities.”

A 60-day public comment period on the interim rule is now underway, with comments accepted online at regulations.gov.  In addition, USDA is publishing a beta version of its feedstock carbon intensity calculator as a method to obtain farm scale carbon intensity, or CI scores within the standards of the interim rule.

“Now this is going to enable users to see preliminary CI values for included crops and climate smart agricultural practices in their respective counties," Vilsack said.  "Once this tool is finalized, Treasury and others should consider USDA’s technical guidelines in proposing rules that recognize the CI benefits of climate Smart Agriculture. Now these benefits could be substantial.”

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