American Biodiesel news

Last week was a busy week for biodiesel in the nation’s capitol. President Bush on Tuesday said he supports biodiesel as part of his energy strategy to encourage conservation, expand domestic production, and develop alternative sources of energy.


“I think we need to follow suit on what we have been emphasizing, particularly through the energy bill, and that is to encourage conservation, to expand domestic production, and to develop alternative sources of energy like ethanol,” Bush said as part of his remarks at a summit hosted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) in Washington D.C. He added, “I also support biodiesel fuel, which can substitute for regular diesel in cars, trucks, buses and farm equipment.”


President Bush also said that research and development has brought about new alternative sources of energy like biodiesel. “So that’s one of the reasons why I signed into law the first ever federal tax credit for biodiesel,” he said. To read the rest of the President’s speech, click here.


Tom LaSorda, President and CEO, Chrysler Group, and Member of the Board of Management, DaimlerChrysler AG, also presented that day. “A significant part of the solution to our energy, environment, and national security issues can be homegrown!” said LaSorda. “At DaimlerChrysler, we’ve long thought of biofuels as a win-win proposition.”


LaSorda also talked about working with industry towards a higher biodiesel blend acceptance, as well as the promise of clean diesel auto introductions in the U.S. DaimlerChrysler is a proponent of biodiesel, with a B5 factory fill of their diesel Jeep Liberties, as well as B20 acceptance for fleet-use Dodge Rams.


Click here for LaSorda’s comments.


Following Pres. Bush and LaSorda, Bob Dinneen, President of RFA, and Joe Jobe, CEO of National Biodiesel Board, spoke about ethanol and biodiesel. They moderated a discussion panel with members of Congress.