FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 9, 2010
Contact: Michael C. Frohlich/NBB
(o) 202.737.8801
(c) 202.258.6699

EPA AFFIRMS ADVANCED BIOFUEL STATUS FOR BIODIESEL

GRAPEVINE, TX - - Today, at the National Biodiesel Board’s Annual Conference & Expo, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) attended to provide a briefing on biodiesel’s role in the future of renewable fuels and, more importantly, to provide a comprehensive briefing on the EPA’s recently introduced final RFS2 rule.

“It was fantastic to have staff from the EPA here briefing our members and conference attendees on how the recent RFS2 rule will affect the direction of the biodiesel industry. They brought welcome news that in 2010, 1.15 billion gallons of biodiesel will be required to be entered into commerce, further advancing the important role of biodiesel in diversifying our nation’s energy portfolio, while creating much needed, new ‘green collar jobs,’” stated Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board.

The discussion focused on the nature of biodiesel and how it is classified as an “advanced biofuel,” as well as a detailed explanation of the RFS2 rule and how it will impact the US biodiesel industry moving forward. This briefing was critical to attendees and biodiesel stakeholders who are in the process of reviewing the rule and need to have a comprehensive understanding of the rule’s impact to ensure compliance moving forward.

“We are very pleased that the rule is now final, setting forth the path Congress intended -- to significantly expand the use of renewable fuels, specifically biodiesel in the US. We also want to recognize the significant efforts of the NBB in working closely with us throughout this process,” stated Paul Argyropoulos, Senior Policy Advisor at the EPA, and part of today’s informative EPA staff panel.

“Biodiesel has the best energy balance and the best greenhouse gas reduction of any fuel that is currently in the commercial marketplace and is the only advanced biofuel that has reached commercialization in the US," said Joe Jobe. "The briefing by EPA officials affirming this was welcome news to all attendees and the entire biodiesel industry." Jobe concluded.

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. NBB’s membership is comprised of biodiesel producers; state, national, and international feedstock and feedstock processor organizations; fuel marketers and distributors; and technology providers.

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Additional information about biodiesel is available online at www.biodiesel.org.