The American Soybean Association (ASA) was recognized today at a renewable fuels ceremony for the role it played in the development of regulations for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The event, hosted by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, included comments from Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The event was held at the E3 Biofuels Complex in Mead, Neb.

"I was proud to represent the American Soybean Association at today’s event," said ASA Board member Steve Wellman, a producer from Syracuse, Neb. "ASA has worked diligently for many years to advance energy legislation that provides opportunities for farmers to contribute to our nation’s energy independence."

Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, EPA is responsible for promulgating regulations to ensure that a specific volume of renewable fuel is sold in the United States. The RFS calls for four billion gallons of renewable fuel usage in 2006, and will be phased up to at least seven and a half billion gallons by 2012.

"The production and use of seven and a half billion gallons of ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuels by 2012 will displace almost 2 billion barrels of crude oil and reduce the outflow of dollars largely to foreign oil producers by $64.1 billion between 2005 and 2012," Wellman said. "As a result of the RFS, America’s dependence on imported oil will be reduced from an estimated 68 percent to 62 percent."

Of particular importance to soybean farmers is the establishment of appropriate credits for biodiesel in the RFS. During the regulatory process, the ASA petitioned EPA for this increased credit value based on biodiesel’s higher BTU (British Thermal Units) content; every gallon of biodiesel is equal to roughly 1.5 gallons of renewable fuel based on the positive energy balance of biodiesel.

Governor Heineman, who is Vice Chairman of the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition, said, "The Renewable Fuels Standard recognizes the value of home-grown energy, and it supports our rural roots by investing in bio-fuels. It also increases ethanol and biodiesel use and is the first step toward America’s energy future."

ASA was one of only 10 groups recognized at today’s ceremony. The other groups were the American Coalition for Ethanol, American Farm Bureau, American Petroleum Institute, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, National Biodiesel Board, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Resources Defense Council, and Renewal Fuels Association.

Administrator Johnson said, "For years, our nation’s rolling farm fields have filled America’s breadbaskets. Now, by helping meet President Bush’s renewable energy goals, these same fields are filling America’s gas tanks. Under President Bush’s leadership, EPA is working with our partners in agriculture and industry to produce solutions that are good for our energy security, good for our environment, and good for the American people."