---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 C.F.R. § 80.1415"
title: "40"
number: "80.1415"
heading: "How are equivalence values assigned to renewable fuel?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/40/80.1415"
---

# §80.1415. How are equivalence values assigned to renewable fuel?

- (a)
  - (1) Each gallon of a renewable fuel, or gallon equivalent pursuant to paragraph [(b)(5)](#b-5) or [(b)(6)](#b-6) of this section, shall be assigned an equivalence value by the producer or importer pursuant to paragraph [(b)](#b) or [(c)](#c) of this section.
  - (2) The equivalence value is a number that is used to determine how many gallon-RINs can be generated for a gallon of renewable fuel according to [§ 80.1426](/cfr/40/80.1426.md).
- (b) Equivalence values shall be assigned for certain renewable fuels as follows:
  - (1) Ethanol which is denatured shall have an equivalence value of 1.0.
  - (2) Biodiesel shall have an equivalence value of 1.5.
  - (3) Butanol shall have an equivalence value of 1.3.
  - (4) Non-ester renewable diesel with a lower heating value of at least 123,500 Btu/gal shall have an equivalence value of 1.7.
  - (5) 77,000 Btu LHV of renewable CNG/LNG or RNG shall represent one gallon of renewable fuel with an equivalence value of 1.0.
  - (6) 22.6 kWh of electricity shall represent one gallon of renewable fuel with an equivalence value of 1.0.
  - (7) For all other renewable fuels, a producer or importer must submit an application to EPA for an equivalence value following the provisions of [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section. A producer or importer may also submit an application for an alternative equivalence value pursuant to [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section if the renewable fuel is listed in this [paragraph (b)](#b), but the producer or importer has reason to believe that a different equivalence value than that listed in this [paragraph (b)](#b) is warranted.
- (c) **Calculation of new equivalence values.**
  - (1) The equivalence value for renewable fuels described in [paragraph (b)(7)](#b-7) of this section shall be calculated using the following formula:
  - (2) The application for an equivalence value shall include a technical justification that includes all the following:
    - (i) A calculation for the requested equivalence value according to the equation in [paragraph (c)(1)](#c-1) of this section, including supporting documentation for the value of EC used in the calculation such as a certificate of analysis from a laboratory that verifies the lower heating value in Btu per gallon of the renewable fuel produced.
    - (ii) For each feedstock, biointermediate, component, or additive that is used to make the renewable fuel, provide a description, the percent input, and identify whether or not it is renewable biomass or is produced from renewable biomass.
    - (iii) For each feedstock or biointermediate that also qualifies as a renewable fuel, state whether or not RINs have been previously generated for such feedstock.
    - (iv) A description of the renewable fuel and the production process, including a block diagram that shows all inputs and outputs at each step of the production process with a sample quantity of all inputs and outputs for one batch of renewable fuel produced.
  - (3) The Agency will review the technical justification and assign an appropriate equivalence value to the renewable fuel based on the procedure in this [paragraph (c)](#c).
  - (4) Applications for equivalence values must be sent to the attention of “RFS2 Program (Equivalence Value Application)” to the address in [§ 80.10(a)](/cfr/40/80.10.md?p=a).
  - (5) All applications required under this section shall be submitted on forms and following procedures prescribed by EPA.

## Notes

### Amendments

[75 FR 14863, Mar. 26, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 26037, May 10, 2010; 77 FR 1355, Jan. 9, 2012; 79 FR 42159, July 18, 2014; 85 FR 7075, Feb. 6, 2020; 87 FR 39661, July 1, 2022; 88 FR 44581, July 12, 2023]

### Source

Source: 75 FR 14863, Mar. 26, 2010, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7414, 7521, 7542, 7545, and 7601(a).

### Source

Source: 38 FR 1255, Jan. 10, 1973, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[75 FR 14863, Mar. 26, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 26037, May 10, 2010; 77 FR 1355, Jan. 9, 2012; 79 FR 42159, July 18, 2014; 85 FR 7075, Feb. 6, 2020; 87 FR 39661, July 1, 2022; 88 FR 44581, July 12, 2023]