The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) region that includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine Tribal Nations has developed a user-friendly manual that identifies environmental regulatory rules and requirements for the construction and operation of biodiesel production facilities.
EPA pointed out in its news release that the Midwestern states are active on America's renewable fuels frontier. Through the long-term efforts of the agricultural and biodiesel community, rural residents are seeing growth in the construction of biodiesel plants and the supporting infrastructure. EPA also noted that according to the National Biodiesel Board, as of September 2008, there were 176 biodiesel plants in operation nationwide with an annual production capacity of 2.61 billion gallons per year.
The manual provides practical examples to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. A contact directory of key federal and state officials is included in the manual. EPA Region 7 staff members are available to answer questions about the applicability of environmental requirements to renewable fuel facilities.
An EPA Region 7 biofuels team of engineers, scientists, and environmental protection specialists developed the manual after seeking input from a variety of stakeholders.