Senators Stand in Support of Biodiesel Industry

Senators Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Maria Cantwell of Washington, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken of Minnesota, and Joe Donnelly of Indiana held a press conference yesterday (Wednesday) with biodiesel producers as the National Biodiesel Board released a survey of 54 biodiesel producers showing nearly 80-percent have reduced production this year. NBB Vice President of Federal Affairs Anne Steckel says inconsistency in Washington is wreaking havoc on the U.S. biodiesel industry - and hurting producers, local economies, the environment, national security and consumers. The Senators urged the Obama Administration not to reduce the biodiesel volumetric requirement under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The Senators also called on Congress to renew the expired biodiesel tax credit. Heitkamp says biodiesel has an incredible success story to tell - but instead of promoting its success - federal policies are dragging farmers and producers down. She promises to continue to push on EPA and Congress to implement policies that stand up for farmers and producers.