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Nov 15, 2013
Last week, ASA called on members to contact their U.S. Senators and urge them to sign-on to a letter expressing support for a 2014 RFS volume requirement for biomass-based diesel of at least 1.7 billion gallons, consistent with current year production levels.
The bipartisan letter was led by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA).
The U.S. EPA announced on Friday, Nov. 15, setting the RFS Required Volume Obligation (RVO) for Biomass-based diesel at 1.28 billion gallons for 2014 and 2015. This will be a set back to the U.S. biodiesel industry, as production this year is expected to reach 1.7 billion gallons and setting the 2014-15 RVO at a level lower than 2013 production will be detrimental to the U.S. biodiesel industry and soybean farmers. Reducing the 2014-15 RVO for Biomass-based diesel below 2013 production levels will result in reduced demand for soybean oil, which accounts for about half of all U.S. biodiesel production. The 1.7 billion gallons of biodiesel that is expected to be produced in 2013 will utilize over 6 billion pounds of soybean oil.
Thirty-two senators signed on to this bipartisan effort for the RFS. Here is a list:
