Navigating Efficient Producer Reporting in the RFS

Topic Breakdown

February 22^nd at 11am CST, we will have our first webinar of the BFC-W series on Navigating Efficient Producer Reporting in the RFS.

With one full year of reporting and an attest engagement behind us since the Efficient producer pathways became widely active, we are going to discuss common issues that we saw in EP3 documentation, new information that we have obtained through discussions with the EPA, and review of recent changes in the new EP3 model that was released at the end of 2017. We will also discuss updates and expectations for compliance monitoring plans and how this could potentially provide some ground work for upcoming LCFS requirements.

This webinar will be broken into three parts with a different speaker for each. The topics will be:

Beginning Steps To Tracking EP3

We will begin by discussing some key implementation issues to keep in mind as you begin data tracking on your new EP3 pathway and how to handle some basic questions as you begin tracking and completing your required quarterly reporting. We will also review the compliance monitoring plans from an attest standpoint, give you some insight into how we use them for attest procedures and how they may be helpful in developing items for the upcoming LCFS verifications.

EP3 Opinions and Interpretations

Throughout the last year we have sent various questions to the EPA on behalf of our EP3 clients. In corresponding on various issues, we have noted EPA opinions and interpretations that are not directly noted or clarified in the instructions and guidance documents available to the public. Join us as we discuss these items and how we plan to handle these variances for attest engagement purposes. We will also share some common findings that we reported on the previous year’s attest engagements and discuss the new 2500 tabs that were added to the most recent version of the EPA’s EP3 template.

The New EP3 Model

The use of the EP3 pathway has been on a steady rise and the use of corn kernel fiber to generate cellulosic RINs is expected to begin increasing as well. The original EP3 pathway was not designed to consider corn kernel fiber processing and therefore the two are not compatible. We will be discussing the recent changes from the EPA to allow use of both pathways at a single plant and what you will need to do in order to make that happen. Included in this discussion will be a look at the new EP3 model and how it incorporates corn kernel fiber in its calculations.

Speakers

Below, you will find information about the speakers for each of the three parts of this session. Contact information will be provided at the end of the content part. There will also be room at the end for Q&A.

Kari Buttenhoff on “Beginning Steps To Tracking EP3”

Kari Buttenhoff is a manager and CPA with Christianson, PLLP, a full-service public accounting firm serving the renewable fuel industry for nearly three decades. Kari holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. Cloud State University and began with Christianson right out of college. Her first project with the firm was to research the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and she has been working with the firm in developing the RFS and various services that have been added in relation to the RFS since 2007. She remains active in traditional accounting and specializes in audit, review and consulting services for clients in agriculture and renewable fuels. She is currently the manager of Christianson’s Compliance Department, with special expertise in RIN consulting and attestation compliance, and other renewable fuel compliance programs.

Zach Hauser on “EP3 Opinions and Interpretations”

Zach Hauser is a Senior Accountant at Christianson and specializes in audit, review and consulting services for clients in agriculture, renewable fuels and manufacturing, with special expertise in RIN attestation compliance.

Jim Ramm on “The New EP3 Model”

Jim Ramm, PE, is founding partner and director of engineering at EcoEngineers, Des Moines, IA. Jim’s work within the ethanol industry includes the development of effective registration and quality programs for the expansion of ethanol through efficient producer; advanced fuels from separated food wastes; kernel fiber pathways; California LCFS pathways; and, co-located facilities including cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and renewable natural gas.

Jim’s work has helped ethanol producers to protect investments and make successful market connections in an expanding and diversifying industry. His diverse experience spans all renewable fuel types and business models to bring a unique perspective on the delivery and execution of engineering processes and services required under the RFS.

Jim is a graduate of Kansas State University and the father of two daughters ages 23 and 27.

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Navigating Efficient Producer Reporting in the RFS