The US Department of Energy released an updated 45ZCF-GREET model that gives biofuels producers a clearer framework for calculating lifecycle emissions under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. This matters because the credit value now depends directly on a fuel's carbon intensity score, making GREET a market-shaping tool for ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel producers. For producers, the update improves planning certainty around investments in carbon capture, renewable power procurement, energy efficiency, and feedstock adjustments. Feedstock selection becomes more strategically important as used cooking oil, tallow, and other fats, oils, and greases produce different emissions outcomes under the model. The central question for each producer is which operational changes deliver the greatest carbon reduction per dollar invested.
