BioFuels Journal

Washington—Congressman Earl Pomeroy secured a commitment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) June 9 to ensure canola biodiesel is not shortchanged in a Farm Bill program that aims to help grow the nation’s renewable fuel industry.

A program in the 2008 Farm Bill provides assistance to biodiesel plants as part of the effort to grow America’s supply of homegrown fuels. However, biodiesel plants – including the plant in Velva, N.D. – that depend on canola as a feedstock worried that they would be left out of the program because an evaluation of canola biodiesel by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet been completed.

At a House Agriculture Committee hearing today, Congressman Pomeroy questioned Cheryl Cook, USDA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, about the situation.

Cook assured Pomeroy that canola biodiesel plants will be allowed to take part in the program even while the EPA conducts its evaluation.

“This is good news for our biodiesel plant in Velva and for our biodiesel industry nationwide,” Congressman Pomeroy said.

“Canola is the feedstock of choice for 10 percent of the biodiesel plants in the United States.

"It makes no sense to penalize them simply because the EPA hasn’t done its job and finished this evaluation yet.

"I’m pleased that USDA has committed to making sure our canola biodiesel producers will be given a fair shake.”

For more information, call 202-225-2611.

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