Clean Fuel 45Z Credit Estimator

Forecast how much Section 45Z credit your clean fuel batch will earn once lifecycle carbon intensity is verified. Enter production energy in mmBtu, the certified carbon intensity, and whether you qualify for the wage/apprenticeship multiplier to surface per-mmBtu and total credit values.

Lifecycle energy content of the production run measured in million BTUs.
Certified GREET or DOE pathway intensity for the fuel produced.
Use 1 for base credit or 5 when wage & apprenticeship rules are satisfied.
Optional. Default 30 for clean fuel; enter 50 for sustainable aviation fuel.
Optional. Provide to translate the credit into $/gallon or leave blank for mmBtu output only.

Policy guidance is evolving. Confirm eligibility with your tax advisors before booking revenue from Section 45Z.

Examples

  • 125,000 mmBtu, CI 18, multiplier 5, baseline 30, 0.084 mmBtu/gal ⇒ Baseline vs. fuel CI delta: 12.00 kg CO₂e/mmBtu (40.00% reduction) • Credit per mmBtu at 5.00× multiplier: $1.20 • Total Section 45Z credit: $150,000.00 • Equivalent credit per gallon: $0.10
  • 80,000 mmBtu, CI 24, multiplier 1, baseline left default, energy per gallon blank ⇒ Baseline vs. fuel CI delta: 6.00 kg CO₂e/mmBtu (20.00% reduction) • Credit per mmBtu at 1.00× multiplier: $0.12 • Total Section 45Z credit: $9,600.00 • Per-gallon translation skipped (energy per gallon left blank).

FAQ

What documentation do I need for the carbon intensity number?

Use a GREET pathway certified by the Department of Energy or a provisional score approved by the IRS to substantiate the carbon intensity reduction.

How does the multiplier work?

Meeting prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements boosts the base credit fivefold. Enter 5 if you qualify; otherwise leave it at 1.

Can I model sustainable aviation fuel?

Yes. Change the baseline carbon intensity to 50 kg CO₂e/mmBtu and use the appropriate energy-per-gallon figure for jet fuel.

What if my lifecycle carbon intensity is higher than the baseline?

The delta becomes zero, so no 45Z credit is generated. Improve feedstock, process energy, or capture strategies to reduce the score.

Additional Information

  • Section 45Z credits equal $0.02 multiplied by the carbon intensity delta and a 1× or 5× compliance multiplier.
  • Baseline carbon intensity defaults to 30 kg CO₂e/mmBtu for non-aviation fuels; sustainable aviation fuel uses 50.
  • Enter energy per gallon to translate mmBtu-based credits into familiar per-gallon economics.

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