Just days before EPA announced plans for a lower Proposed Rule for the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2014-15, a study released by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) found the decision could impact nearly 8,000 jobs.

According to a news release from NBB, the  U.S biodiesel industry is supporting more than 62,000 jobs and $2.6 billion in wages in 2013, with production on pace for a record of 1.7 billion gallons. The industry is the largest producer of EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel in the nation.

"This is further evidence that a growing biodiesel industry and a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are good for the economy," said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). "Biodiesel is a true RFS success story, and we should continue that momentum next year with modest growth that will create even more jobs."

According to the study, employment supported by the industry would drop by almost 8,000 jobs with the EPA’s limit of production to 1.28 billion gallons, announced Friday, Nov. 15 in an outline of RFS standards for next year.

"The negative impact of that proposal is clear – it would force biodiesel plants to close and put people out of work," Steckel said in the release. "The EPA and the Obama Administration can avoid that by supporting a strong 2014 standard that is at least consistent with this year’s production.”

The study, commissioned by NBB and conducted by LMC International, a global economic research firm, looked at three production scenarios for 2014. First, under status quo production of 1.7 billion gallons, supported employment would remain at 62,200 jobs with supported wages of $2.6 billion and total economic impact of nearly $16.8 billion.

If production were to fall back to 1.28 billion gallons, the number of supported jobs would drop to 54,500, with supported wages falling below $2.3 billion and total economic impact reduced to $12.2 billion.

A third analysis looks at a high-volume scenario, consistent with recent months’ volumes averaging roughly 170 million gallons, or an annualized rate of 2 billion gallons. It found that the number of supported jobs would rise to 66,600, supporting wages of nearly $2.8 billion and total economic impact of more than $20 billion.

"The difference between 1.28 and 2 billion gallons next year could result in a swing of 12,000 jobs supported, $500 million in wages paid, and $7.8 billion in total economic impact,” Steckel said.

To see more about the study, click here.