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Rollout of Environmental Manual for Biodiesel Facilities

Release Date: 11/13/2008
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, [email protected]

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Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Nov. 13, 2008) - EPA Region 7 has developed a user-friendly manual that identifies environmental regulatory rules and requirements for the construction and operation of biodiesel production facilities.

Region 7 Administrator John B. Askew said, "We are taking steps to provide useful tools to help biodiesel facilities comply with environmental regulations. The manual serves as a road map of federal environmental information. EPA is addressing our nation's growing energy demand in a way that supports our goals for a clean environment, supports farmers and rural America, and supports greater energy security."

The Midwestern states are active on America's renewable fuels frontier. Through the long-term efforts of the agricultural and biodiesel community, rural residents are seeing growth in the construction of biodiesel plants and the supporting infrastructure.

The manual provides practical examples to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. A contact directory of key federal and state officials is included in the manual. EPA Region 7 staff members are available to answer questions about the applicability of environmental requirements to renewable fuel facilities.

An EPA Region 7 biofuels team of engineers, scientists, and environmental protection specialists developed the manual after seeking input from a variety of stakeholders.

According to the National Biodiesel Board, as of September 2008, there were 176 biodiesel plants in operation nationwide with an annual production capacity of 2.61 billion gallons per year.

EPA's goal is to work with the biodiesel industry to ensure that human health and the environment are protected.