Good Things Happen When You Take Action

Your efforts to help biodiesel made a difference in the U.S. Senate Energy Committee. Earlier this week, ASA posted a Call-to Action notice that Sen. Talent (MO) would be offering an amendment in the Committee to eliminate the 50 percent cap for alternative fuel use to meet EPACT requirements. Due to the action of farmers across the nation contacting their representatives, and the support of the Committee, the amendment passed!

"This amendment provides a cost-effective option for those who are subject to Department of Energy regulations," said Sen. Talent. "Renewable fuels such as biodiesel will assist our producers, increase our energy independence, create American jobs, and, they are good for the environment."

The Energy Policy Act (EPACT) requires federal, state and public utility fleets to acquire a percentage of alternative fuel vehicles or to use biodiesel in at least a 20 percent blend in existing diesel vehicles. However, biodiesel credits were capped at 50 percent. Many fleet managers support the removal of this barrier, including the National Association of Fleet Administrators.

The Talent amendment corrects an amendment that would have capped all alternative fuel use credits at 50 percent, which would have put biodiesel at a disadvantage due to the fact that biodiesel would be the only alternative fuel that would not be an option as a single source of compliance.

The Senate Energy Bill originally contained a provision to allow fleet managers to use biodiesel for 100 percent of their credits. After Committee discussion, the Chairman ruled that Talent provision be considered passed by voice vote.

"There's no question the Sen. Talent amendment will have the potential to significantly increase biodiesel sales while providing fleet managers with the flexibility to choose the right fuel for their application," said Joe Jobe, executive director of the National Biodiesel Board.

MSGA and ASA would like to extend a sincere thank you to Sen. Talent for his leadership on this issue. We would also like to thank all of the biodiesel supporters who placed calls and sent e-mails to Senators on the Energy Committee. The recent actions and vote clearly demonstrate the power of grassroots advocacy. And, while this action was a victory for biodiesel, MSGA members should know that more work remains in the fight to enact national legislation encouraging the use of biodiesel.