On the recordJuly 13, 2016
I have long been a champion of domestic biofuel production, including ethanol, biodiesel and cellulosic fuels. Domestic biodiesel production supports tens of thousands of jobs. Replacing traditional diesel with biodiesel reduces emissions and creates cleaner air. Homegrown biodiesel improves our energy security by diversifying our transportation fuels and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Biodiesel itself is a very diverse fuel. It can be produced from a wide array of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean and other plant oils, and animal fats. I am proud of the success of the American biodiesel industry, and I am glad to be introducing today the Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2016, which will ensure the continued success. I appreciate Senator Cantwell's leadership in joining this effort. I also appreciate the support of Senators Roberts, Heitkamp, Thune, Whitehouse, Kirk, Heinrich, Ernst, Donnelly, Blunt, Hirono, Franken and Murray. This bill will modify the biodiesel fuel blenders credit to a domestic production credit, and extend the credit through 2019. Congress created the biodiesel tax incentive in 2005 when I was Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. As a result of this incentive, and the Renewable Fuel Standard, biodiesel is providing significant benefits to the nation. Senator Cantwell and I have been advocating since 2009 to modify the current incentive.…





