NBB Congratulates House & Senate for Approval of Energy Bill
Includes Expanded Renewable Fuels Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The NBB applauded passage in the U.S. House today of H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 by a 314-100 margin. Among its other provisions, the measure significantly expands the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and will significantly increase the use of biodiesel in the United States. Identical legislation was approved by the U.S. Senate on December 13, 2007 by a 86-8 margin, and President Bush has indicated his intention to sign the measure into law.

The expanded RFS provided for in H.R. 6 requires a specific renewable requirement for diesel fuel that will be met by biodiesel and other renewable biomass-based diesel fuels. Increasing the minimum renewable requirement in the diesel pool from 500 million gallons in 2009 to 1 billion gallons in 2012 will create a stable, viable domestic market for biodiesel. In addition, the fuel labeling requirements in the bill will promote consumer confidence in renewable fuels and help ensure that only quality fuels are entered into commerce.

"We congratulate the House and the Senate for the bipartisan efforts of policymakers who worked together to pass this landmark legislation that will help America depend less on foreign oil and more on clean-burning, domestically produced biodiesel," said NBB CEO Joe Jobe. "Biodiesel producers across America stand ready to meet the aggressive renewable goals provided for in this bill."

Biodiesel is an environmentally safe fuel, and rises to the top of transportation fuels when weighing carbon footprint, life cycle greenhouse gas emissions and energy balance. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's lifecycle study, B100 biodiesel reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by 78 percent. In 2006 alone, biodiesel's contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions was the equivalent of removing 350,000 passenger vehicles from America's roadways. Biodiesel is also an efficient fuel, as it creates 3.2 units of energy for each unit of energy consumed in the production of the fuel.

The NBB is the national trade association of the biodiesel industry and is the coordinating body for biodiesel research and development in the U.S. Its membership is comprised of state, national, and international feedstock and feedstock processor organizations, biodiesel suppliers, fuel marketers and distributors, and technology providers.

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