Biotech Updates

EPA Proposes to Recognize Corn Fiber Ethanol and Butanol as Advanced Biofuels

May 29, 2013

News article: http://www.ethanolproducer.com/articles/9891/proposed-rule-defines-corn-fiber-ethanol-butanol-as-advanced

U.S. EPA Document: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/documents/nprm-pathways-2-signature-version.pdf


In the U.S.A., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed possible modifications to the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program, categorizing as advanced biofuels ethanol produced from corn fiber and butanol that meets the 50 percent greenhouse gas emission reduction.

Under the RFS program, producers of advanced biofuels are eligible to receive credit incentives. The EPA's proposed rule will categorize corn kernel fiber as a crop residue, and hence as a cellulosic ethanol feedstock. This proposal was welcomed by the researchers at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) and others who are working toward cellulosic ethanol production from corn fiber. Biofuel companies working toward commercial-scale production of biobutanol (also referred to as isobutanol) were also pleased with the proposed amendments giving isobutanol an advanced biofuel status.