FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1010

C 132 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Regarding the definition of a biofuel.

Sponsors: House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Chase and Moeller).

House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications

Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy

Background:

Minimum Renewable Fuel Content Requirement.

In 2006 minimum renewable fuel content requirements were enacted for biodiesel and ethanol. Beginning on December 1, 2008, certain fuel licensees must provide evidence to the Department of Licensing that at least 2 percent of the total annual diesel and gasoline sold in Washington is biodiesel and ethanol.

Renewable Diesel.

There are various technologies that produce products that are considered renewable diesel fuel. While some of these technologies are in commercial production, others are still in the research and development phase. The three primary renewable diesel technologies include: (1) thermal hydrotreating; (2) biomass-to-liquid; and (3) pyrolysis/rapid thermal processing.

Thermal Hydrotreating. Renewable diesel produced using the thermal hydrotreating process can be produced in a petroleum refinery where vegetable oils or animal fats are co-processed with diesel fuel derived from petroleum. The process produces a mixture of hydrocarbons that may meet motor vehicle fuel provisions under the federal Clean Air Act and the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard for petroleum diesel (D 975). Existing infrastructure for blending and transporting petroleum fuels may also be used to distribute renewable.

Biomass-to-Liquid. The biomass-to-liquid process of making renewable diesel converts biomass (most often cellulosic material) through high-temperature gasification into synthetic gas, which is a gaseous mixture rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The synthetic gas then may be process to catalytically convert the synthetic gas to liquid fuel. This technology has been applied to coal-to-liquids fuel and natural gas-to-liquids fuel processes.

Pyrolysis/Rapid Thermal Processing. The Pyrolysis/Rapid Thermal Processing technique for producing renewable diesel uses pyrolysis or other thermal conversion process to convert biomass or other carbon-containing material such as municipal solid waste, plastics, and industrial residue, to a bio-oil. This bio-oil is further refined into diesel-like fuel.

Federal Motor Vehicle Fuels Standards.

The EPA enforces the motor vehicle fuels provisions of Title II of the Clean Air Act and related regulations. These provisions include certain requirements and prohibitions regarding the quality of motor vehicle fuels, and are designed to greatly reduce harmful emissions from all motor vehicles, including passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy duty trucks.

American Society of Testing and Materials.

The ASTM, also known as ASTM International, is a voluntary standards development organization that develops technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. The ASTM Specification D 975 covers seven grades of diesel fuel suitable for various types of diesel engines.

Summary:

Renewable diesel may count towards the renewable fuel content requirements in the Motor Fuel Quality Act.

Renewable diesel is defined as a diesel fuel substitute produced from nonpetroleum renewable sources, including vegetable oils and animal fats, that meets the registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives established by the EPA and meets the requirements of the ASTM specification D 975.

Votes on Final Passage: