Opinion: Biofuels Are a ‘Right Now’ Solution to NY’s Decarbonization Problem

“To pass on the immediate carbon reduction benefits of biofuels while continuing to spin our wheels in endless debate would be a setback that will only make future efforts to reduce our carbon emissions more challenging.”

With lawmakers back in Albany, lowering the cost of living and bringing the state closer to meeting its climate mandates are top priorities. Meanwhile, officials acknowledge meeting the state’s fast-approaching climate goals—including the build-out of renewable energy projects—will inevitably come with a cost to New Yorkers.

While the balancing act between affordability and clean energy policies is delicate, the state has opportunities it must seize to make this dance less burdensome for New Yorkers.  

Lawmakers can advance the state’s climate policies in a cost-effective manner by ensuring biofuels become a greater part of the state’s energy mix. Enacting policies that will further strengthen and incentivize the use of these renewable fuels will also go a long way in bolstering reliability and ensuring the state’s long-term energy security. 

Unlike some clean energy technologies still being tinkered with, biofuels are available now for both building heating and transportation needs. These affordable drop-in fuels have a proven track record of reducing emissions, making them the ideal resource for this delicate time.  

As multi-generation fuel companies serving wide swaths of the five boroughs, we have been at the vanguard of clean energy innovation for the past quarter century by deploying biofuels to reduce emissions in the buildings and transportation sectors. 

Made from cooking grease, rendered animal fat, and soybean byproducts, biofuels’ lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be anywhere from 40 percent lower all the way up to 86 percent lower than those of petroleum diesel. 

Right now, about 1.4 million homes statewide use biodiesel-blended heating fuels, which are compatible with existing oil burners, furnaces and tanks and do not require costly infrastructure upgrades, making them an immediate cost-effective option for home- and business owners who prefer the comfort and service that biofuels provide or are reluctant to switch to all-electric heating. 

In fact, state law—modeled on mandates enacted by New York City in 2012—requires that all heating oil be blended with a minimum 5 percent biodiesel, increasing to 10 percent this July. What’s more, New York City already uses a biodiesel blend for its building heating needs. 

And in another promising sign of progress as the city works toward ultimate electrification, the city just finished switching its heavy-duty transportation fleet to similar renewable diesel fuel in the fall, just a year after the transition began. This comes as renewable diesel becomes more available in the city for private heavy-duty truckers as well.  

Yet, there are some who have yet to fully embrace the promise of biofuels for helping reduce emissions as the state grapples with how to bring other cleaner energy options online for more consumers.  

Albany can help with legislation that increases the bioheat blend requirements with an eye toward requiring 100 percent biodiesel by mid-century. This would follow the industry’s lead, with our operations at present already delivering heating oil blends as high as 35 percent and pilot programs to roll out 100 percent biodiesel for some customers.  

Additionally, a statewide Clean Fuel Standard would help not only reduce vehicle emissions but grow our industry by providing a sustainable financial stream for continued investment and innovation. A similar program, which critically measures lifecycle emissions of renewable fuels, has been successful in California, where biodiesel and renewable diesel have provided 42 percent of the overall greenhouse reductions. 

Policies that ensure a true energy mix, while driving toward lower emissions, could not come at a more critical time for the state, just as electrification of buildings and transportation stands to drive up electricity demand and the state’s independent electric grid operator expresses concerns about “growing risks” to electric system reliability, especially downstate. 

Quite simply, we need to use all existing tools in our toolbox for an “all-of-the-above” energy approach—a strategy endorsed by Gov. Kathy Hochul last fall at a statewide energy summit in Syracuse. To pass on the immediate carbon reduction benefits of biofuels while continuing to spin our wheels in endless debate would be a setback that will only make future efforts to reduce our carbon emissions more challenging. 

Allan Cohn is the owner of the Cohler Fuel Co. in Brooklyn, a fourth-generation heating oil company. Chris Fazio is the executive vice president of Approved Oil, which is also based in Brooklyn.