The EPA’s inaction on biodiesel in the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS-2) is costing the U.S. green jobs, according Senator Chuck Grassley. The Iowa Republican says he’s urging the administration to include renewable energy and small business tax incentives and a stronger emphasis on expanding international markets – as part of its job creation strategy. Grassley says, “The EPA took action to increase the overall volume mandate, but it failed the most important thing, to implement an enforceable biodiesel mandate.”
Grassley says that according to the National Biodiesel Board – only 200 million gallons of biodiesel have been sold in the US this year, less than half of the 500 million required by law. Grassley says the economic impact of EPA inaction is alarming and puts the biodiesel industry in a precarious position. “The biodiesel industry was employing about 52,000 people in 2008. It’s lost 29,000 jobs this year and could lose another 23,000 this year if nothin’s done,” Grassley says.
Grassley told reporters on Tuesday that the Democratic leadership in Congress is “playing with fire” and shouldn’t be waiting until the last minute to take action. On Wednesday, the House passed an extension of the biodiesel tax incentive. Now, it’s up to the Senate.
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