A deadline is expected to be extended to December 31, 2007, for the biodiesel industry to show proof of nitrogen oxide emissions reduction to meet a Texas standard, according to the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality enacted the low emission diesel standard in 2005 to reduce pollution in 110 counties along and east of Interstate 35 that include the metro areas of Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. The commission is expected to finalize the new deadline in January, OOIDA said.
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) said earlier that several entities in addition to the NBB have indicated a decision to conduct testing for biodiesel blends to determine if they meet the Texas standard. Those entities include additive companies, biodiesel producers, and biodiesel marketers.