Representatives from ASA, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and biodiesel manufacturing companies met last week with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden to reiterate the impacts of not increasing the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Required Volume Obligation (RVO) for Biomass-based diesel. The groups urged USDA to continue to advocate on our behalf within the Obama Administration. Sec. Vilsack indicated he would continue to do what he could while acknowledging that he has no official jurisdiction over the RFS decisions.

A draft proposal has been circulating that suggests the Environmental Protection Agency is considering setting the RFS RVO at 1.28 billion gallons for 2014. ASA sent a letter to EPA and the White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB) to set the biomass-based diesel RVO at a level not less than the 1.7 billion gallon expected production level in 2013.

ASA also issued an Action Alert to members asking them to contact members of Congress and urge them to weigh in directly with EPA and OMB on this issue. When the proposal is officially released, ASA will submit comments for the record and provide draft comments for members to submit individually.

A full copy of the letter can be downloaded here.

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