The Iowa Biodiesel Board applauds Senate passage of a Biodiesel Fuel Quality Standard (SF 464), requiring the use of a five percent biodiesel blend in every gallon of diesel sold in the state of Iowa. Continuing the bipartisan tradition of promoting renewable fuels, the bill was written by Senate President Jack Kibbie (D, Emmetsburg) and sponsored by 30 other senators.

"Today's Senate passage of the Biodiesel Fuel Quality Standard demonstrates bipartisan agreement that biodiesel is vital to Iowa's rural economic development," said IBB Executive Director Randy Olson. "We look forward to strong bipartisan support for this bill in the House.

"This vote confirms that biodiesel is a strong economic engine for Iowa and ensures we are contributing to our state's energy security, instead of paying for foreign oil," Olson says. "We thank Senate President Jack Kibbie and the bill's other champions, and we urge the members of the Iowa House to quickly approve this legislation. This bill is vital to Iowa's fulfilling its role as a national leader in biodiesel production.

"Today's vote confirms that biodiesel is not only good for Iowa farmers and the environment, but it also adds to national security by decreasing our dependence on foreign oil," Olson says. "I want to thank the senators for their hard work crafting this legislation."

Senate File 464 would make Iowa the eighth state to adopt a biodiesel fuel quality standard. Specifically, the bill calls for every gallon of diesel sold in Iowa to contain at least a five percent blend of biodiesel beginning Sept. 1, 2009. The bill also provides a $.03 per gallon refundable tax credit to retailers that sell diesel containing at least a 10 percent blend of biodiesel.

Senate File 464 now heads to the House of Representatives for final approval before going to Gov. Culver to be signed into law.

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Contact: Randy Olson, Executive Director, 515-727-0664