A national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

Innovation for Our Energy Future 

State Clean Energy Practices: 

Renewable Fuel Standards 

Gail Mosey and Claire Kreycik 

Technical Report 

NREL/TP-670-43513 

July 2008 

NREL is operated by Midwest Research Institute ● Battelle Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337 
State Clean Energy Practices: 

Renewable Fuel Standards 

Gail Mosey and Claire Kreycik 

Prepared under Task No. IGST.8300 

Technical Report 

NREL/TP-670-43513 

July 2008 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 

303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov 

Operated for the U.S. Department of Energy 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle 

Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337
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Table of Contents 

SCEPA Project Background ....................................................................................................................... 1 

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 

What is an RFS? .......................................................................................................................................... 2 

Current Status and State Experience ........................................................................................................ 2

Ideal Applications ......................................................................................................................4 

Key Elements of a Successful RFS ............................................................................................4 

Complemetary Policies ..............................................................................................................6 

Alternatives to an RFS ...............................................................................................................7 

Quantifying the Effectiveness of an RFS .................................................................................................. 8

Quantitative Results ...................................................................................................................8 

Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................... 13 

References ................................................................................................................................................. 14 

 i
SCEPA Project Background 

The State Clean Energy Policies Analysis (SCEPA) project is supported by the Weatherization 

and Intergovernmental Program within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This project seeks to quantify the impacts of existing state 

energy policies, and to identify beneficial policy attributes and their potential applicability to 

other states. The goal is to assist states in determining which clean energy policies or policy 

portfolios will best accomplish their environmental, economic, and energy security goals. 

Experts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and InterEnergy Solutions are 

performing this work, with state officials and energy policy experts providing extensive input 

and review. This report focuses on renewable fuel standards (RFS) policies, which are being 

analyzed as part of this project. For more information on the SCEPA project, access NREL’s 

Applying Technologies Web site at http://www.nrel.gov/applying_technologies/scepa.html 

Introduction 

Renewable fuel standards (RFS) policies are a mechanism for developing a market for renewable 

fuels in the transportation sector. This flexible market-based policy, when properly executed, can 

correct for market failures and promote growth of the renewable fuels industry better than a more 

command-oriented approach. The policy attempts to correct market failures such as embedded 

fossil fuel infrastructure and culture, risk associated with developing renewable fuels, consumer 

information gaps, and lack of quantification of the non-economic costs and benefits of both 

renewable and fossil-based fuels. 

When well-designed and executed, an RFS allows actors to develop least-cost solutions for 

fulfilling the mandate and can promote further innovation in the development of cost-effective 

fuels. Hawaii and Minnesota had experimented with RFS policies before 2006, when a national 

RFS was implemented. Since 2006, nine more state policies have been enacted. The state-level 

RFS legislation cited a positive impact on the rural economy; energy security by means of fuel 

diversification; reduction of dependence on foreign oil; and environmental benefits such as 

improved constituency health, air quality, and reduced CO2 emissions as important drivers. 

This analysis uses available data to measure the impact of these policies against typical state 

policy drivers for energy efficiency and renewable energy: environmental impact, economic 

development, and energy security. Early evaluations are ambiguous on the environmental impact 

for both local and global pollutants, indicate a positive local economic development impact for 

states with feedstocks for fuel development, and show a relatively high impact on energy 

security through reductions in petroleum imports (Table 1). 

Table 1. RFS Effects on State Policy Drivers 

Economic Development Environmental 

Energy Security/

Fuel Diversity 

Policy 

Value of 

Industry Net Job GSP 

Purchase 

Power Local Global 

Land 

Use 

Imports 

Offset 

Fuel 

Diversity 

RFS High 

+ 

Med 

+ 

Med 

+ 

Med 

+ 

Low 

-/+ 

Low 

-/+ 

Med 

-/+ 

High 

+ 

High 

+ 

 1
While much research remains to accurately measure the impacts of state RFS policies, this report 

shows that states with a strong driver for energy security as well as a local resource for fuel 

production could benefit greatly from this type of policy. 

What is an RFS? 

A typical RFS requires that a certain percentage of transportation fuel in a geographic area be 

replaced by renewable fuels. Policies can be based on volume of total fuel sales and can target 

either gasoline sales or diesel sales. Policy mechanisms can be directed at several points along 

the supply chain (e.g., refiners, blenders, importers, distributors, and/ or retail sellers.) The 

market approach generally calls for a minimum volume of renewable fuels to be incorporated at 

these different levels each year. Depending on how the policy is structured, the regulated entity 

may have the option to purchase credits from other producers or distributors to meet the target. 

Current Status and State Experience 

Nine states have renewable fuel standards that have come into effect or are scheduled to come 

into effect at an arranged date or production capacity. Most of these states have enacted an 

ethanol mandate and/or a biodiesel mandate. Iowa officials have worded their RFS to include 

any renewable fuel that meets qualifications. Iowa will require the equivalent of 25% of all 

gasoline sales to come from renewable sources—sold as E10 (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline), 

biodiesel, E85—by 2019. 

As of 2008, Hawaii requires 85% of all motor gasoline sold to contain 10% ethanol by volume. 

Policymakers first developed an RFS in 1994 to diversify the supply, hoping to protect 

consumers against oil price shocks. Hawaii imports all of its transportation fuels at high costs, so 

an RFS could be a strong market tool to stimulate in-state ethanol production as a cheaper way to 

meet the mandate. Plans for local ethanol production are behind schedule due to permitting 

delays and cost concerns. The five companies planning production facilities do not expect to 

come online until late 2008 or after (Honolulu Advertiser 2007 and ClearFuels Technology Inc. 

2008). 

In Louisiana, by 2015 or six months after the state produces the equivalent of 50 million gallons 

of ethanol per year (whichever comes first), all motor gasoline sales must contain 2% ethanol. 

By the same year or at 10 million gallons of production a year, 2% biodiesel must be used. Both 

Missouri and Montana will require all non-premium motor gasoline sales to contain 10% 

ethanol—Missouri by 2008 and Montana within one year of achieving 40 million gallons a year 

(mgy) production. There is no evidence that a trigger mechanism will reduce risk for investors. 

Such a policy may hinder the industry because the benefit of making infrastructure investments 

is uncertain. 

On September 16, 2008, all motor gasoline sales in Oregon must contain 10% ethanol by 

volume. By December 1, 2008, at least 2% of total gasoline sold in Washington State must be 

ethanol, and the director of Agriculture has the capability to adjust this percentage upward after 

review. Minnesota has expanded its standard from 10% ethanol by volume in 1997 to the more 

stringent requirement of 20% ethanol by volume for all motor gasoline sales, and 2% biodiesel 

for all diesel sales. 

 2
The following states have state-vehicle biodiesel requirements: Colorado, Kansas, and Maryland. 

New Mexico will require state vehicles to consume B5 (5% biodiesel and 95% gasoline) by July 

1, 2010, a mandate that will commute to all diesel vehicles two years later. Tables 2 and 3 

summarize state policies. 

Table 2. State RFS Parameters and Goals for Ethanol 

Date of 

Compliance State Requirement Details

HI E10 2008 At least 85% of gasoline sold must contain 10% ethanol by 

volume 

IA 25% fuels 

renewable 

2020 Equivalent of 25% of all gasoline sales must come from 

renewable sources (sold as E10, E85, or B1). 

LA E2 2015* Total gasoline sales must contain 2% ethanol in 2015 *OR 6 

months after in-state production reaches 50 mgy ethanol. 

MN E20 2013 Updated in 2006 to require 20% ethanol by volume for all 

motor gasoline sales by 2013. 

MO E10 (nonpremium) 2008 Total non-premium motor gasoline sales must contain 10% 

ethanol by volume. 

MT E10 (nonpremium) At 40 mgy 

capacity 

Total non-premium motor gasoline sales must contain 10% 

ethanol by volume. Within one year of achieving 40 mgy 

production capacity for at least three months, the RFS will kick 

in. 

OH State fleet 

E85 

2007 State vehicles owned or leased shall use 60,000 g of E85 per 

year by January 1, 2007, with an increase of 5,000 g per year 

after that. 

OR E10 2008 Total gasoline sales must contain 10% ethanol by September 

16, 2008. 

WA E2 2008 By December 1, 2008, at least 2% of total gasoline sold must 

be ethanol; the director of Agriculture may adjust this upward 

after review. 

Table 3. State RFS Parameters and Goals for Biodiesel 

State Requirement Date of Compliance

CO All state vehicles must be fueled with B20, subject to availability 2007 

IA B1 biodiesel sales can apply to the 25% renewable fuels 

mandate 

2020 

KS 2% biodiesel or higher must be used in state vehicles 2008 

LA Total diesel sales must contain 2% biodiesel (B2). 2015 or 10 mgy 

capacity 

MD At least half the state’s diesel vehicle fleet must use a blend of 

at least B5 

2008 

MN Total diesel sales must contain 2% biodiesel (B2). 2013 

NM All diesel fuel used in state vehicles must be 5% biodiesel by 

July 1, 2010; and two years later, all sales in the state must be 

5% biodiesel. 

2010, 2012 

 3
OR All diesel fuel sold in the state must be blended with 2% 

biodiesel 

2008 

WA Equivalent of 2% of diesel sales must be biodiesel. 2008 

Ideal Applications 

An RFS can be implemented anywhere in the United States, yet there are certain conditions that 

would make an RFS a good policy choice: 

• Ample feedstocks (e.g., corn, crop residues, forest residues, primary and secondary mill 

residues, and urban wood waste). Resources should be considered by region due to the 

potential for interstate commerce. Figure 1 shows availability of lignocellulosic biomass 

for ethanol production, and Figure 2 shows availability of corn for grain-derived ethanol. 

Both figures illustrate the existing biorefineries. 

• A commitment to biofuels production in-state. 

• Public awareness of biofuels and a strong market penetration of flexible fuel vehicles 

(FFVs) or advanced fuel vehicles (AFVs); or a state-level or auto industry commitment to 

encourage the market adoption of FFVs or AFVs. 

• The existence of a reformulated gasoline (RFG) requirement. The Clean Air Act requires 

that RFG be used in cities and counties with the worst smog pollution to reduce ozoneforming precursors. RFG is gasoline blended with oxygenates to burn cleaner and reduce 

smog-forming and toxic pollutants. Ethanol has replaced MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl 

ether) as the oxygenate of choice (EPA 2008). 

Key Elements of a Successful RFS 

In this analysis, an RFS policy is considered successful when it encourages development of leastcost solutions and spurs innovation in renewable fuels production and use. The development of 

renewable fuels production and use leads to immediate impacts on energy security, the state 

policy driver most affected by this policy type. The following design features can contribute to 

the effectiveness of the RFS: 

• Imposing stringency requiring use of higher blends of ethanol or alternative fuels. 

• Adopting an implementation plan that can ease measurement and verification (M&V) 

burdens and help ensure that the target is met. 

• Avoiding trigger mechanisms because it is unlikely that they would reduce risk for 

investors. 

• Ensuring flexibility in fuel requirements language to allow for adaptation and innovation 

that can lead to lowest-cost solutions and best practices. 

• Implementing measurement and verification of environmental, economic, and fuel 

diversity benefits of the policy and ensuring it achieves the stated goals. 

 4
Figure 1. Existing biorefineries and resource availability of feedstock for lignocellulosic ethanol 

Figure 2. Existing biorefineries and resource availability of corn for grain-derived ethanol 

 5
Complementary Policies 

The free-market approach of an RFS encourages the lowest-cost solution for blending the new 

fuels into the mix, but does not directly create incentives for building the necessary 

infrastructure. Complementary policies are necessary for the success of an RFS policy. These 

policies can be directed toward biofuels production, distribution, and consumption. The use of 

higher blends of ethanol—such as E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline)—and alternative fuels 

must be especially targeted, because it allows for greater market penetration of those fuels and 

will be necessary to meet some RFS goals. State policymakers can provide tax credits, subsidies, 

and grants at several points along the supply chain. They also can establish laws and regulations 

to ensure biofuels availability and use. The following policies may have significant impacts on 

the development and use of biofuels: 

• Production incentives for advanced biofuels producers/refiners. Strong incentives for first 

movers in cellulosic ethanol or other innovative fuel refining could be offered in addition 

to existing incentives for corn ethanol production. New incentives could be modeled after 

the State of Minnesota, which offered early movers in the industry (qualified facilities 

that began ethanol production before June 30, 2000) a production incentive or 20 cents 

per gallon of ethanol until 2010.1

 

• Biofuels promotion plans. Eight Midwestern states have established shared goals for lowcarbon biofuels production, E85 availability, and consumption of regionally produced 

biofuels (Midwest Governors Association 2008). 

• Infrastructure grants that provide assistance to E85 retailers and biodiesel wholesale 

distributors. Such grants can include: 

o matching or cost-share grants for retailers to upgrade or install new alternative 

fuel equipment. 

o fee waivers for retailers to cover the costs of certification of dispensing equipment 

with an independent testing laboratory, or 

o cost-share grants for terminal distribution facilities for biofuels 

• Tax credits for retail service stations that sell higher blends of alternative fuels. These 

should be separate from tax credits that might be available for retailers reaching their 

RFS for the year. 

• Educational programs on E85 or other innovative fuels. 

• Investment tax credits for distributors or retailers investing in equipment. 

• Laws requiring retailers to house E85 dispensing equipment under the fuel awning and to 

prominently advertise to encourage E85 use. 

• Lower excise taxes on renewable fuel products to reduce prices.2

• Laws requiring ethanol to be used to fulfill regional RFG requirements. 

 

1

 The incentives and laws are summarized at the Advanced Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center: Incentives 

and Laws, accessible at http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/incentives_laws.html 2

 Minnesota’s Alternative Fuel Tax, Statues 296A.07 and 296A.08 

 6
• Alternative fuel use and vehicle-acquisition requirements. A use policy would require 

state agency fleets to use alternative fuel products like E85 and blends of biodiesel like 

B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% diesel), when available. 

• Financial incentives for FFV or AFV purchase, or modification of existing cars to handle 

renewable fuels. 

Alternatives to an RFS 

An RFS establishes a mandate for the minimum amount of biofuels to be incorporated into a 

state’s fuel supply. As such, an RFS reduces the risk associated with investing in biofuels 

infrastructure. Other policies, similar to those described in the previous section, can also address 

the drivers for an RFS. These policies can be adopted with or without a state-level RFS. 

California’s low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) policy is an example of an alternative strategy that 

might achieve similar effects. An LCFS is an intensity target for the amount of carbon and other 

greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted per unit of energy obtained from the fuel (i.e., gCO2e/MJ). 

The LCFS regulatory strategy is varied: it can require measuring all fuel consumption or partial 

amounts and regulation can take place at a number of points in the supply chain, most commonly 

at the level of oil refineries and importers. For an LCFS, some kind of valuing carbon intensity 

and trading system for carbon credits must be designed and implemented. The strategy may 

effectively encourage development of innovative low-carbon fuels and better transportation 

options. 

An LCFS is similar to an RFS in that they both are market-based approaches dealing with the 

transportation energy sector. The goal of an LCFS is to reduce the carbon intensity of the 

transportation sector through three strategies: increasing the efficiency of vehicle technologies; 

reducing fuel-related GHGs (this can be achieved in several ways, one of which is increasing the 

use of renewable fuels); and, finally, decreasing the amount and use of vehicles and fuels by 

increasing the availability and use of alternative transportation (EIA 2007). California’s goal is to 

reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 10% by 2020 (CARB 2007). 

The LCFS mechanism may more directly approach the environmental driver of the RFS and 

provide for innovation of least-cost fuels. The current challenge with the LCFS is that there is 

uncertainty as to the environmental impact of biofuels, and the research question is being 

explored now. While an LCFS may address the environmental issues more directly than an RFS, 

this uncertainty can lead to design and implementation challenges that are unnecessary for states 

that are focusing primarily on energy security issues. However, in light of increasingly important 

environmental concerns at the state level, a singular focus on energy security without 

incorporation of environmental concerns is unlikely. 

 7
Quantifying the Effectiveness of an RFS 

States have published little data on actual impacts of RFS policies, but enhanced M&V 

requirements could improve data availability. Minnesota and Iowa have published some 

information regarding the contributions of the biofuels industry to their economies. To evaluate 

the effectiveness of an RFS in light of the policy drivers, several analyses were conducted: 

1) To quantify environmental impacts, a meta-analysis was done of several studies that 

characterize the emissions of different renewable fuel blends. We also looked at several 

projections of life-cycle or “well-to-wheel” carbon emissions. 

2) Using various assumptions of how states will meet their RFS, an economic impact 

analysis was conducted using NREL’s Job and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) model 

to quantify the impact of the RFS on states’ economies. 

3) A high-level analysis was done of how much crude oil can be expected to be offset by 

each state enacting an RFS in the year of compliance. 

Quantitative Results 

Environmental Impacts 

There is uncertainty of the environmental benefits of biofuels. While a variety of studies have 

been completed using different parameters, the volume of research does not illustrate a clear 

understanding of biofuels impact. This is due partly to the large number of possible biofuels with 

different impacts as well as the large variation in geographic impact of different biofuels. It also 

should be noted that recently there has been a great deal of interest in the land-use impacts of 

biofuels production, specifically ethanol (Searchinger et al. 2008). While there are a number of 

ongoing studies and further research is pending, this section reviews the available literature for 

quantification. There is no doubt that analytic uncertainty in this area is high. 

Most studies show that low concentrations of ethanol (the level in most current and proposed 

policies) decrease tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide, particulates, and most air toxic 

emissions, as well as life-cycle emissions of carbon dioxide (Table 4). However, nitrogen oxide 

(NOx) emissions and other smog precursors appear to increase slightly (EPA 2007). More 

substantive testing must be performed before any final determinations are made about these 

impacts. These results are reflected in the summary impacts (Table 1) as Low-/+ for Local and 

Global impacts because of the potential offset of the positive and negative impacts. 

There is no standard assessment protocol for biofuels life-cycle emissions. Researchers assess 

and weigh the GHG contribution from the variables of biofuels production and consumption 

differently. The emerging interest in the effects of land use on life-cycle emissions is casting 

some doubt on the value of biofuels, especially corn ethanol. The hypothesis is that the net 

carbon impact might be positive if energy crops replace food crops on arable land that was once 

used for food production. It has been postulated that the only way to ensure a net negative carbon 

impact is to grow energy crops on degraded land not suitable for agriculture. Until this can be 

 8
further investigated, the summary impacts on Land Use were rated as a Med-/+ because of the 

uncertainty of the potential impacts (Table 1). 

Table 4. Local Air Quality Impacts* 

Carbon Monoxide Decrease An increase in ethanol use to 9.6 BGY represents 

a 4% decrease in carbon from the reference case

NOx Increase An increase to 9.6 BGY represents a 2% increase 

from the reference case 

Volatile Organic 

Compounds (VOCs) 

Mixed Mixed, but it appears that on-road VOC emissions 

decrease 

Benzene Decrease Up to 6% 

Formaldehyde Increase Up to 3% 

*According to EPA, the amount of data evaluating the impact of ethanol and MTBE blending on direct emissions of particulate matter (PM) from 

gasoline-fueled vehicles is extremely limited so PMs are not addressed here. http://www.epa.gov/oms/renewablefuels/420f07019.htm#impacts 

Economic Analysis 

Our analysis has shown that quantification of industry value, job creation, gross state product 

(GSP), and value of farm land and agricultural commodities indicate an RFS can benefit the local 

economy. The value of the industry output includes the value of the fuel itself, as well as value 

added from byproducts. The two most notable byproducts are high protein distillers dried grains 

(used for animal feed) from ethanol production and glycerin (used for many applications) from 

biodiesel production. 

Minnesota was a first mover in the corn ethanol industry. The following impact estimation is an 

example of one state’s experience with one particular biofuel. The Minnesota Department of 

Agriculture states that Minnesota produced 550 million gallons of ethanol from 16 plants in 

2006. The state’s net ethanol export was 290 million gallons or 53%. The output impact and the 

employment impact since the beginning of the ethanol industry is summarized in Table 5 

(Minnesota Department of Agriculture 2008). 

A report by John Urbanchuck, the director of LECG (a global expert services company), 

quantified the impact of the new industry on the value of agricultural commodities and on Iowa’s 

economy as a whole (Urbanchuck 2007). His study estimates the annualized impact of producing 

1.7 billion gallons of ethanol and 115 million gallons of biodiesel on Iowa’s economy (the 

capacity at year-end 2006). He estimated that the biofuels industry had added $8.2 billion (or 

about 6.8%) to Iowa’s gross domestic product (GDP) at year-end 2006. Additionally, his analysis 

points to the generation of $1.8 billion of household income for Iowa households, the creation of 

53,000 jobs throughout the entire Iowa economy, and the generation of nearly $390 million in 

state tax revenue. 

 9
Table 5. Minnesota Ethanol Economic Impact 

Year Production

(Million Gallons)

Output Impact

($ million) 

Employment Impact

(# of Jobs) 

1990 11 28.51 166 

1991 17 42.38 247 

1992 35 89.30 520 

1993 38 90.96 529 

1994 41 101.45 590 

1995 51 115.26 671 

1996 69 203.51 1,089 

1997 112 275.66 1,476 

1998 124 254.38 1,362 

1999 190 352.47 1,759 

2000 220 511.48 2,231 

2001 252 802.60 3,132 

2002 300 732.24 2,858 

2003 359 1,074.32 4,008 

2004 400 1,476.02 5,506 

2005 420 1,577.00 5,883 

2006 550 2,766.61 10,321 

2007 (Projected) 620 3,067.80 11,444 

2008 (Projected) 1,000 4,948.61 18,461 

Economic impact from an RFS depends largely on production capacity of renewable fuels within 

a state. Impacts on jobs, earnings, and output directly reflect the ramp-up of biofuels production 

capacity and biofuels consumption resulting from an RFS. States with biofuels production will 

see the greatest impact from an RFS, particularly if they export biofuels; while states with low or 

no ethanol production may not be significantly impacted economically. A high-level analysis on 

economic impact was conducted using the Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) 

model for dry mill corn ethanol. JEDI is an input-output, spreadsheet-based model that estimates 

the economic impact from constructing and operating a dry mill corn ethanol plant. Users enter 

basic information about a project, including the state, location, year of construction, and size of 

the facility. The model then estimates project costs (i.e., specific expenditures), and economic 

impacts from jobs, earnings income (i.e., wages and salary), and output (i.e., value of production) 

as a result of the project. 

Ethanol was chosen because it is the primary least-cost choice for current RFS implementation 

and because it can provide a rough proxy for other biofuel-related economic development. 

Assumptions were made about the incremental capacity required to meet the state-level RFS (no 

exports were considered), and JEDI was run assuming that dry mill corn ethanol plants were 

constructed and operated within each state to meet the incremental demand. Table 6 shows the 

 10
direct, indirect, and induced3

 impact on jobs, earnings, and output for those states with an RFS. 

Results are presented annually and may be multiplied by 20 years as a reasonable refinery life. 

These results clearly show a positive economic impact on jobs, earnings, and output from 

implementation of an RFS and are reflected in the summary impacts (Table 1) with a Med+ 

rating for Jobs, GSP, and Purchase Power impacts; and a High+ for Value of Industry because of 

the direct relationship between an RFS and an alternative fuel industry. 

Table 6. Annual Economic Impacts of Meeting Incremental Ethanol Capacity for State-Level RFS, 

Construction Year 2008 

State

Incremental 

Ethanol 

Capacity 

Required for 

RFS (million 

gallons)

Annual 

Jobs

Annual 

Earnings 

$M (2006)

Annual 

Output 

$M (2006)

Hawaii 107 1,000 33 59

Iowa 218 1,321 27 128

Louisiana 95 714 14 55

Minnesota 1,000 6,526 151 598

Missouri 376 3,581 54 226

Montana 4 30 1 2

Washington 100 568 17 56

Oregon 224 1,392 38 130

Total 2,124 15,133 334 1,256

Note: NREL projected these impacts using the Jobs and Economic Development Impact Model (JEDI) for Dry Mill Corn Ethanol. 

Fuel Diversity and Fuel Security 

A renewable fuel standard has a direct effect on oil imports: The more endogenous transportation 

fuel that is consumed, the less that’s imported for consumption. This consideration prompted a 

High+ rating for Imports Offset and Fuel Diversity in the summary impacts (Table 1). Because 

the energy content of ethanol is less than that of motor gasoline, the offset is not one to one. We 

have done a rough calculation of how many gallons of motor gasoline would be displaced by the 

RFS in the first year of compliance in each state. Because of the heat content of the two fuels, for 

every gallon of motor fuel offset, approximately 1.62 gallons of ethanol is required. This analysis 

uses ethanol as the fuel in the indicator because ethanol is commonly used and technologically 

feasible today. We also estimated how this number is related to the number of barrels of crude oil 

imported. The number is based on the assumption that between half and two-thirds of a barrel of 

oil is converted to motor gasoline. We found that in the first year of these RFS policies, 21 

million barrels of crude oil (or 1.3 billion gallons of motor gasoline) will be offset as a direct 

effect of the RFS (Table 7). 

 

3

 Direct impact refers to the changes that occur in the industries to which the direct final-demand (i.e., purchase of 

goods and services) change is made. Indirect impact refers to the changes in inter-industry purchases resulting from 

the direct final-demand (i.e., purchase of goods and services) changes. Induced impacts refer to the changes that 

occur in household spending as household income increases or decreases as a result of the direct and indirect effects 

from direct final-demand (i.e., purchase of goods and services) changes. 

 11
These numbers represent what each individual state can expect to see as a fuel offset in the first 

year of compliance. Enacting an RFS has an obvious benefit in fuel diversity and security of a 

state; furthermore, in-state production of biofuels will add to the state’s energy independence. 

Table 7. Million Barrels Crude Oil Offset in First Year of Compliance for States with an RFS 

States with 

policies in 

place 

Crude oil offset 

(million barrels)

Motor gasoline 

offset (million 

gallons) Year 

HI 1 66 2008 

IA 2 134 2020 

LA 1 59 2015 

MN 10 617 2013 

MO 3 232 2008 

MT <1 2 2015 

OR 2 138 2008 

WA 1 62 2008 

Total 21 1,310 

 Note: NREL-projected. 

 12
Conclusions 

While limited in direct quantitative results due to data challenges, this analysis allows for 

qualitative conclusions about the impacts of an RFS policy. Because the policies are so new, 

there is limited information on how different policy variables affect the success of an RFS. 

States’ experiences with the RFS will be very different depending on geography, resources, and 

the goals that are set. For example, different levels of incentives for production and distribution 

will be necessary in different states due to cost differentials, transportation distances, and other 

variables. 

An important consideration in developing an RFS is to safeguard against technological lock-in. 

There is interest in the development of innovative fuels from the federal R&D sector, and an 

RFS with an eye toward innovative fuels may have more of an impact, especially in terms of 

creating positive environmental impact and affecting that policy driver. 

Refinement of policy drivers may impact the development of future policies. As more 

information is known about the environmental impacts of biofuels, states may choose to revise 

their RFS to meet another target. Additionally, industry experience, the future of agricultural 

subsidies, and evaluation of economic value of the industry may reorder such a policy on the 

state’s priority list. As states’ goals change, so will their attitudes toward biofuels and other 

alternative fuels. 

The key findings of this report are that an RFS will be most successful in a policy environment 

with energy security as the primary driver. However, there are several unknowns regarding 

biofuels, including environmental impact, and those may be increasingly important in the event 

of a carbon-restrained policy environment. In addition, complementary policies that create 

incentives for innovation and infrastructure have been critical to the success of RFS policies in 

several states. 

Research and historical evidence of states that have RFS policies show that enacting an RFS is a 

good way to support local industry and diversify fuel supply. The environmental benefits of an 

RFS need to be verified if reduction of emissions is the driver of the highest importance. Fuelflexibility language in the proposal can prevent technological lock-in and will encourage 

innovation in alternative fuel options. 

 13
 14

References 

California Air Resources Board (CARB). (2007). “A Low-Carbon Standard for California,” 

accessed February 2008 at http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs_uc_p2.pdf

ClearFuels Technology Inc. (2008). Accessed at http://www.clearfuels.com/ 

Energy Information Administration (EIA). (2007). “Transportation Sector Energy Use by Mode 

and Type,” Annual Energy Outlook, accessed February 2008 at 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/supplement/pdf/sup_tran.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2007). “Regulatory Impact Analysis of the RFS.” 

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/420f07019.htm 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2008). “Reformulated Gas.” 

http://www.epa.gov/oms/rfg.htm 

The Honolulu Advertiser. (2007). “New Kauai ethanol plant delayed” 

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Oct/18/bz/hawaii710180342.html; and “Enough 

water for ethanol?” http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Oct/08/ln/FP610080363.html 

Midwest Governors Association. (2008). “Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform 

Plan,” accessed at http://www.midwesterngovernors.org/

Minnesota Department of Agriculture. (2007). Accessed at 

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/renewable/ethanol/productionimpact.htm 

Searchinger, T.; Heimlich, R; Houghton, R.A.; Dong, F.; Elobeid, A.; Fabiosa, J.; Tokgoz, S.; 

Hayes, D.; Yu, T.H. (2008). “Use of U.S. Croplands for Biofuels Increases Greenhouse Gases 

Through Emissions from Land Use Change.” Science. February 2008.

Urbanchuck, John M. “Contribution of the biofuels industry to the economy of Iowa.” Prepared 

for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. February 2007. 

Wind Powering America. (2008). Accessed at 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/econ_project_search.asp. 
F1147-E(09/2007) 

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July 2008 

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Technical Report 

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State Clean Energy Practices: Renewable Fuel Standards 

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G. Mosey and C. Kreycik 

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IGST.8300 

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National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

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14. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 Words)

The State Clean Energy Policies Analysis (SCEPA) project is supported by the Weatherization and 

Intergovernmental Program within the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 

This project seeks to quantify the impacts of existing state policies, and to identify crucial policy attributes and their 

potential applicability to other states. The goal is to assist states in determining which clean energy policies or policy 

portfolios will best accomplish their environmental, economic, and security goals. For example, renewable fuel 

standards (RFS) policies are a mechanism for developing a market for renewable fuels in the transportation sector. 

This flexible market-based policy, when properly executed, can correct for market failures and promote growth of the 

renewable fuels industry better than a more command-oriented approach. The policy attempts to correct market 

failures such as embedded fossil fuel infrastructure and culture, risk associated with developing renewable fuels, 

consumer information gaps, and lack of quantification of the non-economic costs and benefits of both renewable and 

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15. SUBJECT TERMS

energy efficiency; renewable energy; policy; state policy; stakeholder drivers; economic development; environmental; 

energy security; renewable fuel standards; RFS 

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