Minimum Renewable Fuel Content Requirement

In 2006, the Washington State Legislature implemented a minimum renewable fuel content requirement with the passage of Senate Bill 6508. The bill also established fuel quality standards, created a biofuels advisory board, and mandated the use of biodiesel by state agencies.

Biodiesel Requirement

• At least 2% of the total annual diesel fuel sold in Washington must be biodiesel fuel, following the earlier of a) November 30, 2008; or b) when the Director of Agriculture determines that feedstock grown in Washington State can satisfy a 2% requirement.
• At least 5% of the total annual diesel fuel sold in Washington must be biodiesel fuel when the Director of Agriculture determines that both in-state oilseed crushing capacity and feedstock grown in Washington state can satisfy a 3% requirement.

Ethanol Requirement

• By December 1, 2008, at least 2% of gasoline sold in Washington shall be ethanol.
• If the Director of Ecology determines that ethanol content greater than 2% of total gasoline sold will not jeopardize continued attainment of federal air quality standards and the Director of Agriculture determines that sufficient raw materials are available within Washington to support economical production of ethanol at higher levels, the Director of Agriculture may require that ethanol comprise up to 10% of total gasoline sold in Washington.

Fuel Quality Standards

• The Director of Agriculture will adopt rules for biodiesel fuel and biodiesel fuel blends by adopting all or part of the ASTM standards.
• The biodiesel refiner is responsible for meeting the ASTM standards when providing biodiesel fuel into the distribution system.
• The Director of Agriculture may establish a fuel testing laboratory or may contract with a laboratory for testing.
• Fuel pumps offering biodiesel and ethanol blends for sale must be identified by a label stating the percentage of biodiesel or ethanol.

Biofuels Advisory Committee

• The Director of Agriculture shall establish a biofuels advisory committee to advise the director on implementing or suspending the minimum renewable fuel content requirements.
• The committee shall advise on the applicability to all users; logistical, technical, and economic issues of implementation, including the potential for credit trading, compliance and enforcement provisions, and tracking and reporting requirements; and how the use of renewable fuel blends greater than two percent and renewable fuels other than biodiesel or ethanol could achieve the goals of the bill.
• In addition, the committee shall make recommendations to the Legislature and Governor on the potential to use alternatives to biodiesel, which are produced from nonpetroleum renewable sources (inclusive of vegetable oils and animal fats), to meet the minimum fuel content requirement.

State Agency Mandate

Starting June 1, 2009, state agencies are required to use a minimum of 20% biodiesel as compared to total volume of all diesel purchases made by the agencies for operation of the agencies' diesel-powered vehicles, vessels, and construction equipment.

Suspension of minimum renewable fuel content requirements

The Governor may suspend all or portions of the minimum fuel content requirements based on technical or economic infeasibility or should they pose a significant risk to public safety.

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