The American Soybean Association (ASA) urges the Environmental Protection Agency to fully recognize and capitalize on the potential for biodiesel in the nation's renewable energy discussion, while at the same time recognizing the agency's improvement in its approach to biomass-based diesel fuels in its proposed final rule for the Renewable Fuel Standard.

In comments submitted this week, ASA pointed to the numerous benefits of soy-based biodiesel, including its contribution to a more diversified energy market; increased domestic energy production; reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; new jobs and economic development; expanded markets; and reduced soy meal feed costs.

"While the recent proposal for biodiesel under the program was a step in the right direction, it does not fully capitalize on biodiesel’s benefits and potential for growth," said ASA President Wade Cowan in the association's comments. "The U.S. biodiesel industry has the capacity and has demonstrated its ability to increase production above the levels in the Proposed Rule, particularly when you consider U.S. production capacity, feedstock availability, and the potential for increased imports of biodiesel qualifying for the RFS."

The association further pressed the agency to increase its volumes for 2016 and 2017 to 2 billion and 2.3 billion gallons, respectively, to represent the capacity of the industry.

"As an industry we have always advocated for RFS volumes that are modest and achievable and the biodiesel industry has met or exceeded the targets each and every year that the program has been in place," Cowan commented.

Accounting for more than half of the feedstock used, soybean oil remains the largest source of oil for biodiesel production.