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CountryMark leader says RFS could be improved as decarbonization goals ramp up

The president and CEO of CountryMark says improvements could be made to the Renewable Fuel Standard as the nation aims to decarbonize the transportation sector.

Matt Smorch tells Brownfield, “the Renewable Fuel Standard has done a great job of getting more renewable fuels into the energy mix and has been helpful in the ag community. We’re supporters of ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable diesel and I think there are opportunities to be able to supply those. But as an example, from an ethanol-blending standpoint it’s been fairly stagnant the last several years. (The policy) has kind of run its course to really have growth in renewable fuels use.”  

He says a solution could involve raising the octane standard for gasoline.

“The 95 octane would have an opportunity to grow ethanol more. I think there are opportunities for renewable diesel and being able to supply that feedstock, but it really comes down to having to have low-carbon practices out in the field and being able to translate those low-carbon practices into a low-carbon intensity fuel.”

Smorch says a more holistic framework that looks at carbon and carbon intensity is needed.

CountryMark is a farmer-owned cooperative based in Indiana. It’s an integrated oil company with petroleum production, refining and distribution, and marketing.