Capturing the sentiment of an industry

September 15, 2010

BY Ron Kotrba

A colleague in the industry, Matt Roberts with Springboard Biodiesel, sent me a link to Springboard CEO Mark Roberts' recent editorial piece, which I found very poignant. I really believe Mark's words capture the feeling many in the biodiesel industry have today.

We all know how important, positive and necessary biodiesel is-the fuel, the idea of a domestic, green "no war required" drop-in alternative, the industry and the economic stimulus of a healthy, growing commercial sector; essentially, the promise and the potential for a reality that is not too far from the dream. We all know this, yes, and thankfully others know it too.

The general public has slowly arrived at these same uplifting conclusions about biodiesel; automakers and OEMs of all walks of diesel life are accepting a future where biodiesel is a growing part of the fuel supply chain; the first-ever federal biomass-based diesel standard has gone into effect, and moreover, there is major support from the U.S. EPA, U.S. DOE, USDA, and many other federal entities; more and more states have passed mandates; the largest city in the US, New York City, has passed a bio heating oil requirement.

So imagine the frustration from biodiesel producers, when all that stands in the way of full-blown success is the very thing that can jeopardize years, decades, of hard biodiesel work-a fractured, unfocused and wayward Congress.

Mark writes: "The process of managing our nation's voracious energy appetite and weaning even a small percentage of the economy off of petroleum is a battle that we as a society do not yet seem to have the visceral desire to attempt. As a result, the obstacles that face the biodiesel industry are generally artificial, bureaucratic and lobby-money based." He goes on to say: "In 2010, the tax credit has been allowed to expire, resulting in a dramatically shrunken industry that has shed over 20,000 jobs and sees itself staring into the maw of inconsequence. If you visit the National Biodiesel Board's website, you will find a pathetic countdown widget updating you on the 243 days, 14 hours and 2 minutes that the industry has been without the necessary legislative support embodied in the biodiesel producer's credit."

He finishes his entry by stating, "Don't let the status quo destroy our future. Make alternative energy a voting issue and hold do-nothing-but-squabble-for-the-cameras politicians accountable. The maw of inconsequence is not good for this country or this planet."

Thank you for this editorial, Mark, I hope others find the value I see in it. To read Springboard Biodiesel's CEO Mark Roberts' editorial piece in its entirety, please click here. Until next week…

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