In a remarkable display of collaboration, leading automakers and biogas producers are poised to revolutionize the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) through their participation in the innovative eRINs program. Spearheaded by Bridge to Renewables (BTR), a proprietary platform, this program could mark a turning point in the RFS, paving the way for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the growth of cellulosic fuels.
The concept of eRINs, or Electric-RINs, entails the generation of credits by combining data from biogas-derived energy production with electric vehicle charging information. If the EPA finalizes its proposed rule, the generation of eRINs will commence in 2024, ushering in an era of increased investments in emissions mitigation and renewable energy production from biogas.
Jack Barrow, the co-founder and CEO of BTR, expressed his appreciation for the EPA’s logical and compelling framework for eRIN generation, emphasizing its potential to expedite the transition to EVs and leverage biogas to produce renewable energy. BTR believes that the eRINs program could become one of the most significant developments in the RFS since its inception almost two decades ago.
According to the EPA’s estimations, the first year of the eRINs program could see more than 4 million megawatt-hours of biogas-derived energy utilized for EV charging, providing a substantial boost to the cellulosic fuels category. Michael Maten, the Director of EV Policy and Regulatory Affairs at General Motors, recognized the eRINs program as a complementary opportunity to catalyze growth in both the EV and renewable energy markets. General Motors, alongside prominent automakers such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen, and others, has partnered with BTR to procure RFS-qualifying energy from diverse biogas producers.
BTR’s platform serves as an efficient conduit connecting participating biogas producers with automakers. This strategic collaboration not only streamlines compliance with EPA requirements but also creates a level playing field for smaller companies, such as the CommonWealth Resource Management Corporation (CWRM), which operates multiple landfills generating biogas. CWRM expressed its appreciation for BTR, highlighting the platform’s ability to facilitate immediate participation in the eRINs program, benefiting the entire industry.
The BTR platform grants access to small- and medium-scale agricultural facilities, landfills, and wastewater facilities, removing potential barriers to their involvement in the eRINs program. Prominent players in the industry, including Vespene Energy, Pacolet Milliken, California Bioenergy (a leading agriculture digester developer), and many others, have joined forces with BTR to maximize their impact.
Even larger biogas producers, such as bp and OPAL Fuels, are engaged in discussions with BTR to collectively supply a substantial amount of the energy required by automakers to generate eRINs. Their participation reinforces the program’s potential to reshape the energy landscape and foster sustainability across the automotive sector.
With the EPA expected to finalize its rulemaking in June 2023, BTR is committed to establishing best practices for the eRINs program. Their proactive approach reflects the collective determination of automakers, biogas producers, and industry stakeholders to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and drive positive change in emissions reduction.
As the automotive industry and biogas sector converge under the visionary eRINs program, a new era of sustainable transportation and energy production dawns on the horizon. The collaborative efforts of automakers and biogas producers hold the promise of a greener future, one that upholds the principles of environmental stewardship while driving innovation in the pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable world.
