AgDay Feature
 for Friday, November 21,2003

ASA/NBB Biodiesel Press Conference

With overwhelming support this week from the House, the Energy Bill now finds itself in the hands of the Senate.  Of the eleven hundred page bill, biodiesel and renewable fuels are sections making top headlines.

On Wednesday, representatives of the American Soybean Association and the National Biodiesel Board came to Washington to urge the Senate to pass a biodiesel tax incentive as part of the Bill.

The tax incentive is for those fuel distributors who purchase biodiesel and who then blend it into diesel fuel. 

For consumers, the incentives are intended to reduce the cost of biodiesel in both taxable and tax exempt markets.

Supporters say the measure will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, will boost our economy, and promote cleaner air.

Play Real Player Video Select either the Dial-up or the Broadband option depending on your Internet connection speed. The report runs 02:18

Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO)

19.06.19 – 19.06.46

“It makes sense from so many different standpoints, which is what I like about it.  First of all, it’s an immediate job producer which we need in the economy.  It’s an outstanding example of value-added agriculture, and I think the future of family farming in the United States of America is in value-added agriculture.  It’s great for the country from a national security standpoint because it will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  So there’s three or four hugely important things that sort of cross right at biodiesel.”

Besides reducing our dependence on foreign sources, many say our local economies and those who produce soybeans will get a boost from the passage of this bill.

Neal Bredehoeft, MO Farmer (ASA First Vice President)

19.05.59 –19.06.11

“It helps us as Missouri farmers maybe buy into a new generation coop that could produce biodiesel and gives us as soybean farmers a move up the value of the food chain.”

Bob Metz, Chairman, National Biodiesel Board (ASA Executive Committee member)

19.07.33 – 19.07.56

“I truly believe that what happens in this energy bill – what happens for biodiesel – is  more important than what happened, really, in the Farm Bill.  When I look to my sons and my neighbors’ sons coming back to the family farms, biodiesel and ethanol, taking that gallon and a half of biodiesel out of a bushel of soybeans – makes all the sense in the world to me.”

While the bill has been heavily debated on Capitol Hill, just how long its passage through the Senate will take – if it does succeed – now rests in the hands of Democratic Leader Tom Daschle.

This is Joe Camoriano, reporting for AgDay.

RealMedia files courtesy of AgDay.