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US DOE Releases Updated 45Z Clean Fuel-GREET Model for Biofuel Producers

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The US Department of Energy on Friday released an updated version of the 45ZCF-GREET model used to determine the carbon intensity of fuels that qualify for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.

The new model, reflecting changes Congress made in the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, marks the first time renewable fuel producers can input data into the model and receive results from those changes, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. The update includes the removal of indirect land-use change penalties.

IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw said the new model strengthens the path for biofuels.

He said that the update better reflects the role of US biofuels in reducing emissions and supporting rural economies and it also better recognizes biofuels' true carbon benefits.

"IRFA appreciates the DOE's work on the much-needed certainty the new model provides our biofuels producers as they work to qualify for 45Z credits and to produce the ultra-low carbon biofuels increasingly demanded around the globe," Shaw said.

Additionally, the updated model separates lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions results into those for fuels produced in 2025 and those produced after Dec. 31, 2025. For fuels produced after 2025, only feedstocks from the US, Canada and Mexico are included in the model.

For background, the GREET suite of models was developed by Argonne National Laboratory in 1994, with the first version released in 1995, according to the DOE press release.

Its development and applications have been integral to DOE's research, development and demonstration efforts to advance energy and materials technologies for energy efficiency and affordability.

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