09 Jun Renew Kansas co-signs letter urging growth of biodiesel and renewable diesel in congressional deliberations
Renew Kansas Biofuels Association co-signed National Biodiesel Board’s letter to congressional leaders urging support of the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry as congress develops legislation concerning the nation’s infrastructure, climate and economic priorities.
Addressed to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Democratic Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, the letter requested bipartisan support and inclusion of the industry.
Specifically, the letter called on members of congress to:
- Support the bipartisan, bicameral proposal to extend the biodiesel tax credit through 2025 (S 1806/HR 3472).
- In 2020, U.S. demand for biodiesel and renewable diesel increased by nearly 200 million gallons even while the coronavirus pandemic reduced overall demand for transportation. Extending the credit will support continued growth as well as the emergence of new advanced biofuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel.
- Support the bipartisan Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act of 2021 (S 227/HR 1542).
- This legislation will continue USDA’s efforts to increase U.S. consumers’ access to renewable, low-carbon fuels by sharing costs for new blending terminals and other infrastructure.
- Optimize the Renewable Fuel Standard to achieve carbon emission reductions.
- Since 2010, biodiesel and renewable diesel have cut more than 140 million metric tons of carbon from the U.S. transportation sector. But the RFS’s advanced biofuel and biomass-based diesel volumes have not kept pace with the biodiesel industry’s recent growth. Congress must encourage the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure growth for biomass-based diesel through 2030, issue annual rules in a timely manner, approve new feedstocks and pathways, and ensure science-based lifecycle scores. Any new legislation aimed at reducing carbon should build on the RFS, rather than replace it.
- Include funding for USDA’s Biodiesel Fuel Education Program in annual appropriations.
- From 2014 to 2018, NBB leveraged $3.6 million in grants from the Farm Bill-authorized Biodiesel Fuel Education Program to raise $17 million in private funds to promote biodiesel’s sustainability attributes, provide technical assistance to original equipment manufacturers, develop fuel quality assurance programs, and promote biodiesel blending in home heating oil.