The Associated Press article published on The Columbian website April 20, “Study: Biofuels from corn waste worse than gas in short term,” includes what the Environmental Protection Agency has suggested are dubious conclusions about some potential energy sources.
From our view at the National Biodiesel Board, through discussing our energy future, one important fact was overlooked — America’s first nationally distributed advanced biofuel, biodiesel, is here and working now. Last year, the domestic biodiesel industry produced 1.7 billion gallons of renewable fuel, filling the vast majority of the EPA’s advanced biofuel volume requirements under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard. The RFS was created by a bipartisan coalition in Congress. They recognized moving away from a singular reliance on petroleum for transportation fuel needs is paramount to America’s national security, and economic and environmental interests. It has helped biodiesel — made in communities across the country from recycled cooking oil, animal fats and abundant vegetable oils — become an American success story.
The RFS is working. We’re importing less oil than at any time since 1991. More significantly, biodiesel is diversifying our transportation fuel portfolio and creating options. And, yes, advanced biofuels like biodiesel are reducing carbon pollution by as much as 86 percent compared to petroleum diesel.
Joe Jobe
Jefferson City, Mo.
