Clean Fuels Alliance America welcomed a ruling by the California Air Resources Board to sunset the oxides of nitrogen mitigation requirement for biodiesel blends of up to B20, or 20 percent biodiesel, in the Alternative Diesel Fuel (ADF) regulation. Clean Fuels first called for sunsetting the B20 restrictions in the ADF in 2022, after CARB data showed the regulator triggers for lifting the restrictions had been met.
California previously required producers to mix a minimum of 55 percent renewable diesel with biodiesel blends from B6 to B20 to mitigate the oxides of nitrogen concerns in older heavy-duty vehicles. CARB’s own emissions modeling showed this step is not needed and has contributed to keeping overall biodiesel blends below ten percent. While recent CARB actions have created regulatory headwinds for biodiesel, the decision to sunset the oxide mitigation requirement is a constructive step forward that’s based on solid data.
