Bioenergy: ARGUS California R99 renewable diesel

The ARGUS California R99 renewable diesel price assessments

The Argus California R99 renewable diesel price assessments are key reference benchmarks for non-co-processed renewable diesel delivered by rail to the rack in California. Currently, renewable diesel is the second largest LCFS generator in California. The assessments are priced as a rack discount to spot CARB ULSD near Los Angeles and San Francisco and add in California Carbon Allowance fees and LCFS fees for diesel at the rack. The assessments reflect 99pc renewable diesel and 1pc diesel in Los Angeles and San Francisco at the rack, and are stripped of BTC, RINs and LCFS credits.

Advantages of the ARGUS California R99 renewable diesel price assessments

The price assessments apply to renewable diesel traded on a delivered by rail rack basis within a 100-mile radius of Los Angeles and within a 100-mile radius of San Francisco, anytime during the named month. They are published daily in the Americas Biofuels and US Products reports. Argus’ renewable diesel assessment is the most fungible, delivered on rail assessment available. Providing a key instrument for pricing and hedging exposure in the California renewable diesel markets.

Users of the ARGUS California R99 renewable diesel price assessments

The Argus California R99 renewable diesel price assessments can be used in offtake agreements, as a reference price and more. Users include refiners, suppliers and marketers. In addition, use of R99 continues to increase in the downstream sector as both private and government owned vehicles transition over to renewable diesel. The cities of San Francisco, Oakland and others switched their diesel vehicle fleets to renewable diesel. The state government of California also indicated it would no longer purchase conventional diesel or biodiesel for stat-owned vehicle fleets – instead opting for renewable diesel. As we see demand increase, traditional refiners are pivoting away from conventional fuel and have announced plans to convert facilities to produce renewable diesel.