California Air Resources Board

Revised Staff Report: Multimedia Evaluation of Biodiesel 

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 as part of the proposed ADF regulation. 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. Since the ARB intends to establish new fuel specifications for biodiesel, a comprehensive multimedia evaluation of the fuel was conducted in accordance 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 proposed biodiesel specifications included as part of the ADF regulation, 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 Biodiesel Staff Report 

prepared by the Multimedia Working Group (April 7, 2015)

Revised Staff Report: Multimedia Evaluation of Biodiesel 

prepared by the Multimedia Working Group (March 3, 2015)

Biodiesel Multimedia Evaluation Final Tier III Report 

prepared by the University of California, Davis and the University of California, Berkeley (June 2014)

Peer Reviews of Staff Report: Multimedia Evaluation of Biodiesel Staff Report 

prepared by the Multimedia Working Group (February 2014)

Staff Report: Multimedia Evaluation of Biodiesel 

prepared by the Multimedia Working Group (November 22, 2013)

California Biodiesel Multimedia Evaluation Final Tier III Report 

prepared by the University of California, Davis and the University of California, Berkeley (May 2013)

California Biodiesel Multimedia Evaluation Final Tier II Report 

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

Final Report: CARB Assessment of the Emissions from the Use of Biodiesel as a Motor Vehicle Fuel in California "Biodiesel Characterization and NOx Mitigation Study" 

submitted by the University of California, Riverside and Davis, and Arizona State University (October 2011)

Presentation on the Multimedia Risk Assessment of Biodiesel: Relative Mobility, Biodegradation, and Aquatic Toxicity 

prepared by TR Ginn, University of California, Davis (February 3, 2010)

California Biodiesel Multimedia Evaluation Final Tier I Report 

prepared by the University of California, Davis and the University of California, Berkeley (September 2009)

Experimental Plan for the Tier II Evaluation of Biodiesel

prepared by the University of California, Davis (March 12, 2009)