Biodiesel is American success story

The recent Associated Press article "Fuels From Corn Waste not Better Than Gas" includes what the Environmental Protection Agency has suggested are dubious conclusions about some potential energy sources. From our view, 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 renewable fuel standard 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, 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 renewable fuel standard is working. We're importing less oil than 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, CEO, National Biodiesel Board, Jefferson City, Mo.