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Letter to Trump aims to keep biodiesel in the ethanol/oil refiner conversation

U.S. biodiesel interests are attempting to keep biodiesel in the conversation as President Trump contemplates a win/win for oil refiners and ethanol.

Kurt Kovarik is vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board.

“We fight to be at the table because we recognize our industry is critical to the success of the renewable fuels program.”

NBB and the American Soybean Association have written President Trump, asking him to provide additional help to the nation’s farmers and rural communities by supporting policies that expand the production and use of biodiesel.

Kovarik says biodiesel faces collateral damage if a deal is reached between oil refiners and corn ethanol.

“We’ve demonstrated the harm due to biodiesel with a cap on RINs, or if it were RINs for export for ethanol.  In all those scenarios, biodiesel would be harmed.  So it’s on us to do the education, lay the groundwork, to make the inroads with the people in that room.”

He tells Brownfield efforts to ensure the biodiesel message is not lost between ethanol and oil refiners have been somewhat successful.

The letter also urges the President to back the industry’s request to Congress to provide long-term certainty for the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax incentive, which expired in March.