Largest US biodiesel producer testifies before House subcommittee

Renewable Energy Group Inc. CEO Randy Howard, on behalf of the National Biodiesel Board, delivered testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment at a hearing titled “Advanced Biofuels Under the Renewable Fuel Standard: Current Status and Future Prospects.” Howard emphasized to subcommittee members that stable, predictable growth for biodiesel are key to the future success of the program.

Howard concluded his statement to the subcommittee by saying, “The RFS provides a winning combination of benefits for Americans: greater energy security, substantial environmental benefits, and enhanced value-added agriculture. We would ask Congress to continue to support the program and use its oversight authority to ensure that EPA administers the program according to Congress’ intent.”

The subcommittee heard from a panel of seven witnesses, including representatives of the petroleum refining industry and an environmental group. Howard stressed the greenhouse gas emission reductions, feedstock diversity and job creation achieved through biodiesel use.

“Biodiesel truly is a success story of the RFS, helping to realize the energy security and environmental benefits that the RFS was intended to achieve,” Howard stated. “Biodiesel has consistently delivered more than the RFS currently requires—and we can do much more.”

Howard’s submitted testimony is available on the Energy & Commerce Committee website.

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. It is the nation’s first domestically produced, commercially available advanced biofuel. NBB is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel value chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers and fuel distributors, as well as the U.S. renewable diesel industry.