Enerkem鈥檚 state-of-the-art advanced biofuels facility has successfully completed all the necessary steps required by the EPA and is the first ever municipal waste-to-cellulosic ethanol plant to receive approval to sell in the United States. Under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, 16 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels are to be blended in the conventional transportation fuel pool by 2022.
鈥淲ith this EPA approval, we are now able to sell one of the lowest-carbon transportation fuels into the world鈥檚 largest biofuels market,鈥� says Vincent Chornet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enerkem. 鈥淭his provides further validation of Enerkem鈥檚 leading position in the global race to decarbonizing the transportation fuel sector, which is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.鈥�
The EPA鈥檚 rigorous registration process seeks to ensure that the stringent regulatory requirements of the U.S. RFS are met. Enerkem is now registered for D3 Renewable identification numbers (RINs) credits. These RIN credits are purchased by U.S. refiners to comply with the U.S. RFS program. The EPA has established that cellulosic biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% when compared to gasoline.
Earlier this year, Enerkem expanded its Edmonton biofuel facility to produce some 13 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually following the commissioning of its methanol-to-ethanol conversion unit. This pioneering facility has been financed by private sources and received funding support from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), Alberta Innovates and Alberta Energy.
For more information, visit www.enerkem.com.