Drivers Will Soon Know if They're Using Renewable Gas

According to RINSTAR, American motorists will soon be aware which gas stations are offering renewable gas for their vehicles. Known as Certified refuel, which is part of the Renewable Fuel Standard, confirming renewable fuels at independent stores is the newest environmental "Green" regulation that will take effect on September 1.

So why the new renewable gas? The nation has a set RFS regulation for each year. For the year 2007, it is 4.02% of all gasoline that must be renewable. Amazingly, this small percentage will add up to over 7.5 billion gallons a year by the year 2007. That sounds like a lot right? Not to Congress. Congress is actually fighting for legislation that would make the percentage rate equivalent to 35 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be sold each year.

So how will the EPA enforce this rule to make sure renewable gas is actually being sold? Known as a Renewable Identification Number (RIN), every single gallon of renewable fuel purchased and produced must be assigned its own 38-digit number. Sounds over the ordinary, but this number will help to track and confirm that this "green" gasoline is being sold and meeting regulations.

"What was intended to be a program for environmental compliance purposes has now presented a golden opportunity for environmentally conscious companies and the consumers of their products. The customer will soon be able to see at a glance where their gasoline supplier stands on renewable fuels", said Clayton McMartin, president Clean Fuels Clearinghouse.

Cost for the Certified Refuel process amounts to less than 1 cent per 20 gallon tank full of gasoline.

"I can't imagine any petroleum company or their consumer who wouldn't be willing to pay a fraction of a cent per fill-up to have the assurance of knowing they are supporting the nation's renewable fuel efforts," said Jim Rausch, an Arlington, Texas, motorist.