Christianson PLLP is proud to announce that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has approved their Quality Assurance Program (QAP) protocol for Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel producers participating in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Christianson PLLP is now one of only 3 approved QAP providers in the world and the first QAP provider approved by the USEPA in the last 9 years. Producers who are already registered with an approved pathway can now generate QRINs under the newly approved Christianson protocols. Christianson’s detailed, hands-on protocol is supported by a team of highly trained compliance auditors and in-house experts. The Christianson team strives to help their clients protect investments, optimize the value Read More...
Washington Clean Fuel Standard Program
On January 1, 2023, the Washington Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) was implemented, and registration opened for the new Clean Fuels Standard. The goal of the initiative is to reduce the amount of carbon , greenhouses gas emissions and air pollutants within the state of Washington. The state is currently heavily dependent on petroleum-based fuels. The long-term goal of the program is to increase the use of renewable fuel sources, which will help reduce the carbon emissions and improve air quality, through the Climate Commitment Act. The CFS is designed to reduce carbon emissions of transportation fuels by 20%, by year 2034. The Washington CFP is modeled after the California LCFS and Oregon CFP programs. Washington’s program began accepting Read More...
Ethanol Denaturant Excise Taxes
Effective January 1, 2023, there are two new excise tax rates on natural gasoline that may apply to ethanol producers. IRA Update The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) amended the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate on domestic crude oil and imported petroleum products. Section 4611.Impostion of Tax under Title 26 Subchapter A - Tax on Petroleum imposes a two-part tax on petroleum with new rates effective January 1, 2023. The tax rate on domestic crude oil and imported petroleum products is the sum of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate (petroleum oil spill tax rate or OSLT) and the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate (petroleum superfund tax rate)(1). It is calculated per barrel of product. The Read More...
Biogas Compliance 101
Biogas production has been used domestically for decades as a way to manage millions of tons of food, water, and animal waste. Biogas systems recycle waste and produce energy, preventing emissions from entering the atmosphere and nutrients from entering waterways, creating healthier soil, and providing renewable energy. The United States has over 2,000 biogas production sites spread across all 50 states, and several compliance programs provide incentives for renewable natural gas production due to its environmental and energy benefits. Christianson’s team of compliance experts provides verification for renewable natural gas under many of these programs. Continue reading to learn more about biogas and renewable natural gas and how Read More...
Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Pathway Validation
Carbon Capture and Sequestration continues to pick up speed with more interest than ever before in the race to decarbonize. The United Nations reports that more than 1200 companies and more than 70 countries have committed to net-zero carbon emissions targets. Helping to fuel some of these efforts in the United States, in July the Department of Energy announced a Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill with $2.6 Billion in funding to support additional carbon capture projects and decarbonize power generation. As climate tech rapidly evolves with new carbon removal investments frequently being announced, we see firsthand the growing demand for effective carbon reduction strategies. At Christianson, we are thrilled to be on the frontlines helping Read More...
Carbon Capture + Sequestration: Preparing for Our Carbon Neutral Future
Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) is becoming an increasingly hot topic in the renewable fuels industry, especially as companies progress with construction of on-site carbon capture facilities. The energy industry is in the midst of a global decarbonization transformation as companies of all sizes pursue new opportunities such as CCS as a viable option to achieve their carbon reduction goals. With economic incentives like 45Q and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) identifying CCS as key to mitigating the impacts of climate change, the soaring demand for CCS shows no signs of slowing down. North America is currently the global leader, accounting for 50% of all active CCS projects with 16 commercial facilities currently Read More...
Ask the Experts – Low Carbon Markets
Ask The Experts Segment On March 2nd, 2022, Joel Gratz, Managing Partner here at Christianson, and Kari Buttenhoff, Partner, joined Bill Dean on KWLM during the "Ask the Experts" segment. This month, Joel, Kari, and Bill took a minute to chat a little about Low Carbon Markets. Listen Here! Read More...
E15 is a Win-Win for Minnesota
While partisan divisions continue to dominate the debate about our nation’s energy future, legislators in St. Paul are considering a proposal that can unite our state behind a clean, homegrown energy opportunity. By incentivizing fuel stations to offer higher blends of biofuels and expanded E15 sales, Minnesota can fuel a more prosperous and sustainable future. When drivers fill their vehicles at the pump, they usually purchase 10 percent ethanol blends. By standardizing 15 percent blends, drivers can save three to ten cents more per gallon. At a time where our state’s economy will need recovery from the pandemic, Minnesotans are looking for relief wherever it may come. The money saved at the pump will help fuel other aspects of the Read More...
Do You Have the Right California Low Carbon Fuel Standards Team?
In the first quarter of 2021, the Compliance Department at Christianson saw a slew of new validations for the CA Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) come across our desks. We also heard from many existing LCFS participants who were unsure of their reporting requirements under the new LCFS regulation. Having the right team is crucial to successful compliance. Do you have your LCFS compliance requirements covered? This team roster will ensure you do. 1. Staff – the most successful participants have made LCFS compliance part of their company culture. Training is provided so staff know their respective roles and responsibilities. To manage this, a smart participant will have a manager/CFO to oversee the program and a technical Read More...
RFS Compliance and Attestation Reporting Deadlines Reminder
In January, Christianson sent out a summary of the US EPA’s proposed compliance deadline extensions for the Renewable Fuels Standard. The final rule was released on April 1. While EPA decided to extend the deadlines for obligated parties and small refineries, it declined to move the deadlines for RIN producers and RIN owners. If you are registered as a RIN producer or owner it will be business as usual with your Q4 quarterly report submissions (which were due Mar. 31, 2021) and annual attest reports due June 1, 2021. Please reach out to our experts if you have further questions or if you need to engage us for your 2020 attest. For more information visit the EPA’s RFS Deadline Extensions webpage. Start planning for your three-year RFS Read More...
