Leading automakers and biogas producers intend to participate in the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) eRINs program through a proprietary platform developed by Bridge to Renewables (BTR).
Electric-RINs or "eRINs" are credits that may be generated under the RFS by combining biogas-derived energy production data with electric vehicle (EV) charging information.
If the EPA finalises its proposal, eRIN generation would begin in 2024, encouraging the transition to EVs and growth in the cellulosic fuels category, whichi s a longtime goal of the RFS.
"We applaud the EPA for including a logical and compelling framework for eRIN generation under the RFS in its recent proposed rule. As the EPA noted in its proposal, implementing the eRINs program will help encourage the transition to EVs and increase investment in mitigating emissions and utilising biogas to produce renewable energy," said Jack Barrow, co-founder and CEO, BTR.
The eRINs program has the potential to be one of the most significant developments in the RFS since its inception nearly two decades ago, accoeding to BTR.
The EPA estimate for eRIN generation in the first year of the programme implies more than 4 million megawatt-hours of biogas-derived energy may be used for EV charging.
"This programme represents a complementary opportunity to catalyse and accelerate growth in the EV and renewable energy markets," said Michael Maten, director of EV policy and regulatory affairs, General Motors. "GM is proud to help establish a structure that will support both industries; we hope the eRINs program will be leveraged broadly to encourage new developments and reduce emissions."
BTR is currently working with eight leading automakers, including GM, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen and others.
Each of these companies intends to individually procure RFS-qualifying energy from a diverse group of biogas producers through BTR. BTR's platform is designed to efficiently connect participating biogas producers to the automakers.
"Having a strategic partner to help navigate the EPA's requirements and to streamline collaboration with participating automakers will be very important for everyone, but it will be particularly important for smaller companies like ours," said Thomas Yeransian, principal, CommonWealth Resource Management Corporation (CWRM), a developer and operator of several landfills that produce biogas. "BTR enables us to participate in the eRIN program right away, which ensures it will benefit the entire industry."
Many small- and medium-scale agricultural facilities, landfills, and wastewater facilities will benefit from the access the platform provides to automakers, eliminating a potential barrier to participating in the new programme. Others like CWRM collaborating with BTR include Vespene Energy, Pacolet Milliken, leading agriculture digester developer California Bioenergy, and many more.
Larger biogas producers with portfolios of facilities, including bp and OPAL Fuels, are also in discussions to work with BTR to collectively supply a significant amount of the energy that will be used by the automakers to generate eRINs.
BTR is aiming to define best practices for the eRINs program ahead of the EPA's final rulemaking, expected June 2023.
Automakers & biogas producers “intend to participate” in US eRINs programme
