President Obama Backs Renewable Energy Tax Incentives

Anne Steckel, Vice President of Federal Affairs for the National Biodiesel Board, released the following statement in response to President Obama's speech on May 25 in Newton, IA: "We were happy to hear President Obama reaffirm his support for renewable energy and biofuels to assist in achieving an all-of-the-above energy strategy. We are eager to see the Administration continue to grow the economy in Iowa and across the United States by following through as quickly as possible on the EPA's proposal to increase biodiesel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard."

Last year, the RFS and the tax incentive helped the biodiesel industry produce nearly 1.1 billion gallons, which the National Biodiesel Board claims has supported more than 39,000 jobs across the country.

The EPA has proposed raising the RFS volume requirement for biodiesel to 1.28 billion gallons, but a final Administration decision on the proposal has been delayed since last fall, creating significant uncertainty in the biodiesel industry. The $1-per-gallon biodiesel tax incentive expired on December 31.

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean 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 fifty percent when compared with petroleum diesel. The National Biodiesel Board is the U.S. trade association for the biodiesel industry.

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