California Air Resources Board

Revised Staff Report: Multimedia Evaluation of Renewable Diesel 

Prepared by the Multimedia Working Group (May 2015)

The staff of the Air Resources Board (ARB or Board) intends to establish new motor vehicle fuel specifications and in-use requirements for biodiesel, which includes the use of renewable diesel as part of the proposed ADF regulation. 1 The ADF regulation is intended to provide a framework for low carbon diesel fuel substitutes to enter the commercial market in California, while mitigating any potential environmental or public health impacts. The proposed regulation order is provided in Appendix A.

Before new fuel specifications are established, California Health and Safety Code (HSC) section 43830.8 requires a multimedia evaluation to be conducted and reviewed by the California Environmental Policy Council (CEPC). The CEPC must determine if the proposed regulation poses a significant adverse impact on public health or the environment.2 As part of the proposed ADF regulation, a multimedia evaluation of renewable diesel was conducted pursuant to HSC section 43830.8.

The purpose and scope of the multimedia evaluation is to inform the rulemaking process and provide the information needed for the development of fuel regulations. The Multimedia Working Group (MMWG) was established to oversee the multimedia evaluation process and make recommendations to the CEPC regarding the acceptability of new fuel formulations proposed for use in the State.

For the multimedia evaluation of renewable diesel, the MMWG prepared this staff report for submittal to the CEPC. The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the multimedia evaluation and the MMWG’s conclusions and recommendations to the CEPC.

Peer Reviews of Staff Report: Multimedia Evaluation of Renewable Diesel Staff Report 

prepared by the Multimedia Working Group (February 2014)

Staff Report: Multimedia Evaluation of Renewable Diesel 

prepared by the Multimedia Working Group (November 2013)

California Renewable Diesel Multimedia Evaluation Final Tier III Report 

prepared by the University of California, Davis and the University of California, Berkeley (April 2012)

California Renewable Diesel Multimedia Evaluation Final Tier I Report 

prepared by the University of California, Davis and the University of California, Berkeley (September 2011)