National Biodiesel Board says biodiesel industry had record production last year thanks to Renewable Fuel Standard, urges Obama Administration to raise volume standard for biodiesel next year as the EPA has proposed

Mathew Kearney

WASHINGTON , March 13, 2012 (press release) – The National Biodiesel Board released the following statement Monday regarding the Obama Administration's update to its Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future, which highlighted the success of the Renewable Fuel Standard in increasing domestic fuel production:

"The U.S. biodiesel industry had record production last year of more than 1 billion gallons, thanks in part to the Renewable Fuel Standard. That translates directly into jobs and improved energy security, and it is exactly what we need if we are ever going to reduce our exposure to this endless cycle of oil price spikes that are so damaging to our economy," said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board. "The Obama Administration should continue this progress by raising the volume standard for biodiesel next year as the EPA has proposed. Thousands of jobs in our industry as well as improved U.S. energy stability depend on that decision."

The Obama Administration is reviewing an EPA proposal to grow the biodiesel volume requirement under the RFS to 1.28 billion gallons in 2013. Late last year, the Administration delayed the decision, saying it needs further review, and the EPA could issue a final rule within weeks. Last week, a bipartisan group of 60 members of Congress from across the country signed letters to the White House urging the Administration to follow through with the proposed increase. The Senate version can be found here on NBB's website; the House version can be found here.

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as agricultural oils, recycled cooking oil and animal fats, biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines. It is the first and only commercial-scale fuel produced across the U.S. to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's definition as an Advanced Biofuel - meaning the EPA has determined that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent when compared with petroleum diesel. It is produced in nearly every state in the country and last year supported more than 39,000 jobs and $3.8 billion in GDP, according to a recent study conducted by Cardno ENTRIX, an international economics consulting firm. NBB is the U.S. biodiesel trade association

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