Representatives of the American Soybean Association (ASA) and numerous state soybean associations participated in the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) membership meeting in Washington, D.C. this week. At the meeting, elections were held for the NBB Governing Board with four returning board members and four new members elected.  Soybean farmers Ed Hegland (MN) and Robert Stobaugh (AR) were re-elected to the NBB Governing Board and farmers Ron Heck (IA) and Amy Sigg Davis (OH) were newly elected to the board.  Heck and Davis replace Bob Metz (SD) and Ed Ulch (IA) who did not run for re-election. Company representatives Kent Engelbrecht (ADM) and Ron Marr (MN Soy Processors) were re-elected to the board and Chad Stone (REG) and Steve Nogel (AGP) were newly elected.  They join ASA’s representative to NBB, Mike Cunningham (IL) who is a member of the Governing Board.

Long-time NBB board members Bob Metz (SD) and Ed Ulch (IA) were recognized at the meeting for their years of service and dedication to the biodiesel industry.

Beyond the elections, the focus of the meeting was on the biodiesel tax credit and participants spent a day on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress to reiterate the importance of the tax credit. Congress is expected to consider a tax extenders package prior to adjourning in December and ASA is actively working to have a multi-year extension of the biodiesel tax credit included in the measure, and to restructure it from a blender’s to a producer’s credit. In the coming days and weeks, ASA will call on all members and stakeholders to contact their congressional delegations to reiterate support for the biodiesel tax credit.