Key Takeaways:
- Strategic Biofuels has released a free guide, “A Practical Guide to Forestry Feedstock Under the Renewable Fuel Standard,” to help project developers comply with EPA regulations.
- The guide was developed in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service and provides comprehensive details on forestry feedstock qualification for renewable fuel production.
- The guide aims to streamline the compliance process for developers, loggers, and other stakeholders by outlining best practices for managing and sourcing woody biomass.
- The resource supports the broader goals of promoting sustainable forestry practices, reducing wildfire risks, and strengthening the woody biomass market.
Strategic Biofuels, a leader in renewable fuel project development, has published a free resource titled “A Practical Guide to Forestry Feedstock Under the Renewable Fuel Standard.” This first-of-its-kind guide is designed to help project developers understand and meet the compliance requirements for using forestry feedstock in renewable fuel production under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The guide was created through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Forest Service, established in 2022.
Supporting the Forestry and Biofuel Sectors
Strategic Biofuels recognized a need for clearer guidance on how forestry feedstock could meet EPA compliance requirements, especially as the demand for sustainable raw materials grows. “Establishing a system and best practice to utilize abundant forestry feedstock became a necessity instead of a nice-to-have,” said Dr. Paul Schubert, CEO of Strategic Biofuels. “We are proud to share this guide with the industry at no cost through our partnership with the USDA Forest Service.”
The guide consolidates insights from a range of industry stakeholders, including the EPA, Weaver & Tidwell (Weaver), the USDA Forest Service, project developers, foresters, and loggers. It offers practical solutions for ensuring forestry feedstock meets RFS requirements, ultimately helping developers, producers, and auditors save time and effort in planning and managing their biofuel projects.
Clarifying Forestry Feedstock Requirements
One of the key challenges in the renewable fuel sector is ensuring that forestry feedstock meets stringent EPA standards. The guide provides step-by-step instructions on managing and sourcing feedstock, tracking its supply from logging operations, and complying with third-party audits. It also covers additional considerations such as qualifying thinnings, navigating wildfire risk areas, and managing tribal lands.
Paul Oesterreich, VP of Project Development at Strategic Biofuels, emphasized that while the guide is a valuable starting point, developers must still work directly with the EPA and compliance auditors to ensure their specific feedstock meets individual project requirements. “While we will put the guide into practice at our Louisiana Green Fuels project, which will produce the world’s lowest carbon footprint Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) once in operation, we encourage other developers to leverage it as a starting point but understand that each feedstock has unique specifications.”
Promoting Sustainability and Reducing Wildfire Risks
The guide also aligns with the USDA Forest Service’s mission to promote sustainable forestry and reduce wildfire risks. “Woody biomass is a valuable and sustainable natural resource,” said USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “Sustainably sourcing this material makes our forests healthier and reduces wildfire risks. This guide provides needed clarity to the industry and will help to strengthen markets for woody biomass, support local economies in our nation’s forestry industry, and meet our goals to confront the ongoing wildfire crisis.”
The resource includes practical advice on sustainable forestry practices that can enhance forest health while supporting the biofuels industry. By helping project developers source woody biomass responsibly, the guide aims to foster a more resilient renewable fuel supply chain.
Read the complete guide here.
