By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
We could be just months away from grain sorghum-fueled trucks, jets and heaters.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a proposed rule that would allow the use of grain sorghum oil in the creation of biodiesel.
“Under the Renewable Fuel Standard, any biofuel that’s actually sold into commerce and then is used to demonstrate compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard has a certification or authorization associated with it. The sorghum oil pathway is that certification and authorization to produce biodiesel from sorghum oil extracted at ethanol plants.” John Duff, strategic business director for National Sorghum Producers (NSP), said in an interview with the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network.
If made into law, the biodiesel supply chain provides a valuable opportunity for sorghum ethanol plants and growers.
“It adds to the liquidity of that market for sorghum oil at ethanol plants, and in turn, that makes it easier and gives ethanol plants more ability to pay more for sorghum, knowing that they’re going to have an easier time selling that oil on the back end,” Duff said.
The proposed rule allows for the production of biodiesel, renewable diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas.
“It’s a great opportunity. Corn oil extraction has been occurring now for a number of years. The biodiesel market has always proved to be a really good opportunity for ethanol plants, and in turn, those corn producers that are supplying them,” Duff said. “So having that ability to have that playing field level and have the same opportunities that other food stocks have is a very good thing.”
EPA is accepting comments on the proposal until Jan. 26.
The agency will then review the comments, and there will be a final rule making. The rule will be published in the Federal Register and will then ultimately become law.
“We’ve got about a half a dozen ethanol plants around the country that are producing oil from sorghum and have been now for a few years,” Duff said. “They sell them in the livestock and other markets currently, so as soon as the proposal is made final and that authorization and certification is there, it will be an almost immediate effect in the supply chain.”
Duff and NSP have been working extensively with EPA for a number of years on the certification process.
“This news is much anticipated, and we sincerely appreciate the help of our renewable energy partners, ethanol plants and producer leaders,” NSP CEO Tim Lust said. “We are also grateful for all the congressional leaders who signed a supporting letter and Senator Jerry Moran, Congressman Roger Marshall and Congressman Jodey Arrington who made calls to the EPA supporting the pathway, as well.”
EPA’s assessment is that using distillers sorghum oil as a feedstock results in no significant agricultural sector greenhouse gas emissions.
According to NSP, the biodiesel producers from distillers sorghum meets lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction thresholds for advanced biofuels and biomass-based diesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard.