The National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) and other industry associations representing the entire biodiesel supply chain recently commended a bipartisan group of lawmakers for introducing legislation to extend the biodiesel tax credit.
The legislation is sponsored by US Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), as well as Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Danny Davis (D-IL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Cheri Bustos (D-IL).
Associations joining NATSO include the American Trucking Associations (ATA), Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA), National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA).
“This legislation underscores the fact that the biodiesel tax credit has strong Democratic support in the House of Representatives,” said David Fialkov, vice president of government affairs for NATSO. “The authors of this legislation understand that the biodiesel tax credit helps create jobs, reduce the transportation sector’s greenhouse gas emissions and enables fuel retailers to offer more competitively priced diesel fuel, which in turn lowers the price of all consumer goods that are moved by truck.
“The biodiesel tax credit has bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. It's time to get this done.”
Added Glen Kedzie, ATA vice president: “ATA applauds the bipartisan group of House lawmakers for introducing this legislation. The biodiesel blender tax credit results in lower fuel costs for truckers throughout the country.”
Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association, said ABA’s “membership is grateful and will work vigorously to support the bipartisan legislation introduced today. This legislation is crucial to ensuring that biodiesel producers can continue to create jobs and make a product that substantially improves the transportation industry's greenhouse gas footprint, all while lowering fuel prices. Producers win, retailers win, and most importantly, consumers win. Everybody wins with this bill.”
Paige Anderson, director of government relations for NACS, said their members use the tax credit to make biodiesel an affordable option for consumers.
“We applaud the bipartisan group of Members of Congress for introducing a two-year extension of the credit so fuel retailers and marketers can include biodiesel in their fuel portfolio in the near future,” Anderson said.