The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will require the domestic use of 800 million gallons of biodiesel in 2011.

This is consistent with the renewable goals established in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which expanded the Renewable Fuels Standard and specifically requires a renewable component in U.S. diesel fuel.

RFS2 provides specific volume requirements for advanced biofuels such as cellulosic biofuels, biomass-based diesel and undifferentiated advanced biofuels.

According to EPA, biodiesel produced from waste greases, animal fats and agricultural oils reduces greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 86 percent compared to petroleum diesel.

The RFS2 program, consistent with the EPA announcement, requires a minimum of 800 million gallons of biomass-based diesel, which included biodiesel, to be entered into the commercial marketplace in 2011.

“We applaud EPA for this announcement and for reaffirming the common-sense notion that we should displace petroleum diesel fuel with advanced biofuels like biodiesel,” said Manning Feraci, vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board.