In recent days, we have increasingly received signals that the Administration is considering leaving the biodiesel RFS volume stagnant at 1.28 billion gallons, as initially proposed in November, while adjusting the initial proposal for overall Advanced Biofuels upward from the 2.21 billion gallons initially proposed.

As you know, this would be incredibly damaging to the biodiesel industry. It would likely serve only to incentivize significantly increased volumes of cheaper imported fuels, primarily sugarcane ethanol from Brazil, while sharply reducing the biodiesel market from last year's record. Indeed, we believe such a rule would result in dozens of biodiesel producers closing their doors and laying off employees while Brazilian producers thrive.

We have repeatedly emphasized these concerns to the Administration, including in a letter sent this afternoon (yesterday) to the White House. The letter can be found here on our website. In the letter, we explain that such a decision "would have lasting, damaging consequences for the jobs and economic activity supported by the U.S. biodiesel industry, while undermining your efforts to boost U.S. energy security through clean, domestic energy production."

To date, no Administration officials have been willing to deny the reports we have received regarding the final rule, leading us to believe that it could in fact be what is currently planned.  

As a result, we are urgently calling on all biodiesel stakeholders and supporters to set aside significant time immediately to aggressively advocate for a stronger biodiesel proposal. You all know better than anyone how this kind of market cut would affect your businesses.

It is imperative that you contact your U.S. senators and representatives immediately and ask them to call EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy (not their EPA Liaison) and the White House and urge them to include a 1.7 billion gallon renewable volume obligation for Biodiesel in the final rule.  

Additionally, tell them how damaging the EPA's proposal has been to your company and the negative impacts it has already had on your community.  Again, urge them to increase the biomass-based diesel volume to at least 1.7 BG, a reasonable growth that reflects the success of the industry in 2013.  

Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions at 202-737-8801.

Best Regards,

Anne Steckel  

Vice President, Federal Affairs  

National Biodiesel Board