Biodiesel Laws and Incentives in Tennessee
The list below contains summaries of all Tennessee laws and incentives related to biodiesel.
Laws and Regulations
Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Acquisition and Use Requirements
The Tennessee Department of General Services must ensure that at least 25% of newly purchased passenger motor vehicles procured for use in areas designated as ozone nonattainment areas are all-electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), natural gas vehicles (NGVs), or propane powered vehicles, provided that such vehicles are available at the time of procurement. If these vehicles are not available, conventional gasoline vehicles achieving an average fuel economy of at least 25 miles per gallon (mpg) may satisfy the requirement. In areas not designated as ozone nonattainment areas, at least 25% of newly purchased passenger motor vehicles must be EVs, HEVs, NGVs, propane powered vehicles, or conventional gasoline vehicles achieving an average fuel economy of at least 25 mpg. For non-passenger vehicles, state fleets must make a reasonable effort to purchase at least 5% of these vehicles as natural gas or propane vehicles.
State fleets must make every effort to ensure that 100% of newly purchased motor vehicles are energy-efficient vehicles. Energy-efficient vehicles are defined as passenger vehicles that use alternative fuels, as defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992; HEVs; conventional gasoline vehicles achieving an average fuel economy of at least 25 mpg; or vehicles powered by ultra-low sulfur diesel achieving an average fuel economy of at least 30 mpg. Additionally, state agencies should use ethanol and biodiesel in appropriate state-owned vehicles whenever possible and support the development of biofuels fueling infrastructure.
The Tennessee Department of General Services must inventory the state’s passenger vehicle fleet and prepare annual progress reports that outline the fleet’s cost savings, pollution avoidance, and petroleum displacement.
(Reference Tennessee Code 4-3-1109)
Biodiesel and Ethanol Definitions and Retail Requirements
Commercial biodiesel stock used for biodiesel blends must be at least 99% biodiesel (no more than 1% diesel fuel) and meet ASTM Standard D6751. Biodiesel blends must meet ASTM Standard D975. Biodiesel blends made available for public use at retail locations may not exceed 20% biodiesel (B20), and biodiesel blends containing more than 5% biodiesel (B5) must be labeled as a biodiesel blend at the pump.
Ethanol is defined as nominally anhydrous ethyl alcohol that meets ASTM Standard D4806. Ethanol blends made available for public use at a retail location must be labeled accordingly (e.g., E85).
(Reference Rules of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture 0080-5-12-.01, 0080-5-12-.02, and 0080-5-12-.03)
Biofuel Blending Contract Regulation
Any provision in a contract between a fuel wholesaler and a refiner or supplier that limits or restricts the wholesaler’s ability to blend petroleum products with ethanol or biodiesel is null and void.
(Reference Tennessee Code 47-25-2004)
Biofuel Quality Inspection and Testing
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture may inspect and test ethanol and methanol under the Kerosene and Motor Fuels Quality Inspection Act of 1989.
(Reference Tennessee Code 47-18-1306 and 54-1-136)
Supply of Petroleum Products for Blending with Biofuels
Petroleum product refiners and suppliers must make all grades of gasoline and diesel fuel available to any wholesaler in a condition that allows for the fuel to be blended with ethanol or other bio-based products and must be sold in Tennessee. In addition, gasoline products must be available with detergent additives in concentrations such that after the addition of ethanol, the final product meets or exceeds the lowest additive concentrations that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires.
(Reference Tennessee Code 47-25-2003)
More Laws and Incentives
To find laws and incentives for other alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, search all laws and incentives.