GREET guidance still a few weeks out: USDA

Final language of a new emissions measurement model that US agencies will use is still "a few weeks" out from being approved by the Treasury department, Department of Agriculture (USDA) secretary Tom Vilsack said today at an industry event.

The Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) emissions measuring model was supposed to be released by 1 March, according to a December announcement. But that guidance will need more time, Vilsack said today at the annual Commodity Classic agriculture conference in Houston, Texas.

Vilsack emphasized it would take weeks — not months — for the final announcement, but confirmed the model would be used by the Treasury department in determining life-cycle emissions of ethanol-derived sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

The Renewable Fuels Association, an industry group, called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to quickly finalize the GREET model.

"While we are pleased to hear progress is being made on the modified GREET model, we are disappointed by this additional delay," RFA resident Geoff Cooper said in a statement.

By Payne Williams