Full implementation of the expanded Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) by 2022 would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation fuels used in the Midwest by approximately 7.7% compared to 2005 levels, according to a new study. With certain regional "enhancements" to the RFS2 program, the Midwest could readily achieve a 10% GHG reduction by 2022, according to the study, supported in part by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

The study was initiated by a coalition of Midwestern agriculture and biofuel stakeholders interested in examining alternatives to a regional Low Carbon Fuels Standard (LCFS) being considered by the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA). The study, conducted by Air Improvement Resource, Inc. (AIR), was supported by the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and Monsanto Company, in addition to NCGA, and state corn grower organizations from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio.

"The new study shows that the 10% regional GHG reduction originally being sought by the MGA through possible enactment of a Midwest LCFS could be more readily achieved through effective implementation of the federal RFS2," the coalition said. "The RFS2 offers tremendous opportunities for diversifying the Midwest liquid fuels supply, fostering regional economic development and reducing GHG emissions from the transportation sector. It is our belief that we should strive to maximize the benefits of the federal RFS2 in the Midwest region before embarking on a path to enact an entirely new and unproven LCFS program to regulate GHGs from transportation."

The study also analyzes the vehicle and refueling infrastructure modifications that would be necessary to accommodate increasing volumes of biofuels in the region resulting from the RFS2. The analysis examines the average amounts of ethanol that would need to be consumed in flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) under various scenarios regarding the volumes of ethanol used in the region, FFV density in the region, pending approval of E15 for conventional automobiles and other factors. For all of the scenarios, "...there is a need for greatly increased availability of FFVs and blender pumps in the Midwest," the study found.

FFVs can operate on any combination of ethanol and gasoline up to 85% ethanol-15% gasoline (E85). Blender pumps (also sometimes referred to as flex-fuel pumps) can dispense any combination of ethanol and gasoline between E10 and E85; typically they are configured to offer E10, E20, E30, E40 and E85.