Soy leaders attended the national biodiesel industry conference hosted by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) this week in San Diego, Calif.

American Soybean Association (ASA) biodiesel representative Mike Cunningham (IL), ASA Washington staff and numerous soybean farmers and state soybean association leaders participated in the conference.

A prominent theme throughout the event was the federal policy outlook for 2017 and the challenges and uncertainty facing the industry in the year ahead.

The expiration of the biodiesel tax credit at the end of 2016 creates great uncertainty for biodiesel producers and stakeholders and the challenges of getting it extended are heightened this year by the effort and focus of Congress on enacting comprehensive tax reform.  The comprehensive reform being considered would dramatically alter the tax code and the focus on overarching tax policy leaves the fate of the biodiesel tax credit in limbo.

The beginning of a new Presidential Administration also creates uncertainty for the biodiesel industry, as new leaders in the White House and at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will take over implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). President-elect Trump has pledged continued support for the RFS program, but questions remain as to whether the incoming nominee for EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, will support increasing biodiesel and advanced biofuel volume obligations or maintain a status quo and how the new EPA regime will implement other specific aspects of the RFS program.

The biodiesel conference also recognized industry leaders for their efforts to promote and support the biodiesel industry. Among those honored were the Illinois Soybean Association, which received the Industry Partnership Award for their work with the American Lung Association to establish the B20 Club. The unique and impactful program in Illinois is focused on raising the profile of fleets that use B20 including municipalities, school buses and trucking companies. The B20 Club showcases real stories of how, when, and why members began using B20, what their experiences have been since the switch, and provides peer support for fleet managers and other decision makers who are considering B20 for their own fleets. The efforts of the club have provided confidence in biodiesel and a platform for showcasing successful biodiesel user stories in the media, to decision makers, and the general public.