– "The problem is energy. Biodiesel is a key part of the solution," reminds

National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe in response to the formation of a new partnership instigated

by the Grocery Manufacturers of America. "With oil prices up more than 100 percent in the last 12

months, it is wrongheaded for groups to attack biofuels which represent one of the few components

of US energy policy that is actually working. Biofuels are currently contributing over 8 billion

gallons of fuel to our fuel supply, without which fuel prices, and consequently food prices, would be

even higher than they already are."

"The U.S. biodiesel industry makes quality fuel from oilseed crops as well as inedible products and

waste sources, such as recycled cooking oil. Less than five percent of the world’s soybeans are used

for U.S. biodiesel production. Soy-based biodiesel is made from the plant oil, leaving 80 percent of

the soybean — the protein — for animal feed and food uses. Therefore, biodiesel production is

spurring the growth of the U.S. soybean industry, making even more food and fuel available for the

future.

"Exciting research is expected to soon increase productivity from existing soybean acres by about 10

percent. U.S. biodiesel industry investment is growing in new non-edible raw materials such as

algae, seashore mallow, mustard, camelina and jatropha. They all hold great promise for the future."

The U.S. biodiesel industry is a new green industry that supports more than 21,000 jobs. It added $4

billion to the national economy in 2007, and reduced the equivalent CO2 in an amount equivalent to

taking 700,000 passenger cars off the road. Biodiesel is a good bargain for taxpayers, because the tax

revenues for the industry exceed the cost of incentives for the fuel. Furthermore, biodiesel production

also helps the American farmer by creating additional markets, helping often the struggling family

farmer and rural communities.

# # #