Feedstock Origination
Project Spotlight
LCFS GREET Verification
The plant is a first-of-its kind biodiesel plant capable of producing high-quality, cost-competitive biodiesel from a mulititude of advanced nonedible feedstocks.
QAP
EcoEngineers was first to establish a Quality Assurance Protocol for RIN Management to ensure RIN integrity of the producers we served. Our goal was to protect the investment of our clients, optimize the value of their product and successfully connect them to appropriate markets. EcoEngineers was also one of the first approved by USEPA to provide the Q-RIN designation.
Our detailed, hands-on protocol is supported by a team of highly trained compliance specialists, regulatory consultants and in-house engineering team. EcoEngineers QAP requirements begin with the onboarding process where we review your program requirements and expectations, and provide appropriate training.
Clients enrolled in EcoEngineers’ QAP program provide a comprehensive list of production documents that are audited by the team monthly and reported quarterly and annually per USEPA requirements. EcoEngineers invest substantial resources in support and execution of our Q-RIN program. We hold our work to exceptionally high standards and apply the same standards to our clients.
EcoEngineers is completely independent of the renewable fuel producers it audits and plays no role in the RIN generation process. EcoEngineers and its contractors and subcontractors are not owned or operated by any renewable fuel producer or foreign ethanol producer, or any subsidiary or employee of a renewable fuel producer or foreign ethanol producer. EcoEngineers is not owned or operated by any obligated party or any subsidiary or employee of an obligated party as defined in 40 CFR § 80.1406. EcoEngineers does not own, buy, sell, or otherwise trade RINs, unless required to maintain a financial assurance mechanism for a Quality Assurance Program(QAP) implemented under QAP Option A pursuant to 40 CFR § 80.1469(a) during the interim period or to replace an invalid RIN pursuant to 40 CFR § 80.1474. EcoEngineers is entirely free from any interest in any and all QAP Clients’ businesses or in the monetary value of the RINs.
EcoEngineers QAP Checklist
Engineering Review
Biofuel producers who wish to participate in the RFS must pass an engineering audit conducted by an independent licensed professional engineer (PE). We have in-depth experience across all fuel types and conversion technologies, ranging from first generation processes producing ethanol from starches and sugars and biodiesel from fats, oils and greases to second and third generation processes that produce renewable diesel, biogas, renewable electricity, pyrolysis oils and ethanol from cellulosic residue such as kernel fiber, crop residue, and MSW.
Custom Audit Protocol
EcoEngineers audit team provides customized audit services to producers and obligated parties to ensure compliance and mitigate risk on RINs. Our experience with RFS, LCFS and CFP regulations make us the go-to firm for all of your compliance needs. Our customized audits can include physical site inspections or a customized audit check list that we create for your specific operations.
Our first step is to establish audit boundary parameters to ensure we are meeting expectations. Once we have a clear understanding of the audit expectations, we develop an audit check list which can include the following or more:
- RIN Generation Review
- Third Party Engineering Review
- Feedstock Confirmations
- Review of Energy Consumption
- Recordkeeping Review
- Mass Balance Review
- Review of Analytical Data
- Compliance Monitoring Plan Review
- RIN Generation Protocol Review
LCFS Verification
EcoEngineers has a team of regulatory consultants and life cycle analyst who specialize in the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) of California. Our experience working with the LCFS regulation, includes lifecycle analysis with the CA-GREET2.0 model, regulatory research, and pathway applications. EcoEngineers can complete custom audits to assist with any process or company activity that requires verification. EcoEngineers plans to offer LCFS verification services under the LCFS verification program that will go into effect in 2019.