The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) held a membership meeting this week in St. Louis, with a focus on several pending federal policy issues, emerging trade issues and elections for officers of the NBB Governing Board.

Attending the meeting were, ASA Board Member Mike Cunningham (Illinois), ASA Washington staff and numerous soybean farmers, state soybean staff and soybean industry representatives. The industry is still awaiting the final announcement by the U.S. EPA on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for 2014, action on the biodiesel tax credit as part of the tax extenders package under consideration during the current lame duck session of Congress.  The NBB is also closely monitoring and analyzing the impact and potential future impact of trade issues relating to the European Union and other significant biodiesel producing countries, such as Argentina.

During the meeting elections, Mike Cunningham, ASA’s representative to the NBB, was re-elected to another term on the Governing Board and was also elected Treasurer.  In addition to Cunningham, NBB members voted to re-elect Greg Anderson of the Nebraska Soybean Board. Four other soybean farmers, Ed Hegland of Minnesota, Bob Metz of South Dakota, Robert Stobaugh of Arkansas and Ed Ulch of Iowa, also continue to serve on the NBB Governing Board. The NBB also gave special recognition to several outstanding members for their involvement in the industry, including Julia Robbins with the New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association and Grant Kimberley of the Iowa Biodiesel Board.

On the biodiesel policy front, ASA continues to urge members to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives to urge support for enactment of a tax extenders package that includes the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax credit.  ASA has issued several Action Alerts and information and talking points are available at the Soy Action Center. The NBB is also conducting a fly-in on Dec. 4, which Mike Cunningham, ASA Washington staff and others will attend.