Don't Sink The Ship!

Ok, it's December 10th. I deep fried my turkey and processed the used oil in our BioPro™ and then "closed the loop" by burning the resultant biodiesel in my 1984 Mercedes 300 TD Wagon. I felt good about myself. But I'm getting increasing anxious and angry that yet again, the US Congress is dragging its feet on renewing the Biodiesel production and blending credits that have been in place for the past 5 years. A thinking person might be surprised that in a year that saw biodiesel production down 31%, pundits are discussing scenarios that assume the tax credit goes away.

We should all be angry about this lack of action on the part of our legislator - a group that quite frankly seems motivated solely by partisan wrangling and which, as a result, has accomplished very little during the course of the year.

I could go on and on and on....and end up at the bottom of a metaphorical well. So let me instead suggest [strongly] that those of you who are reading this, copy this form letter and send it to your representative(s). If enough of us spit into the wind, perhaps some of the precipitation will land in Washington and we'll get some positive action.3

"I am writing to strongly urge Congress to extend the biodiesel tax incentive that is currently set to expire on December 21, 2009.

This is a critical piece of legislation that actually works. The Biodiesel industry has spent a lot of time and money working to grow a domestic biodiesel industry - one that employs tens of thousands of workers, reduces our dependence on outside oil producers and dramatically improves our Green House Gas profile.

I have been extremely frustrated that the legislative powers that be have seemed to purposely throw roadblocks into the general biodiesel industry's path to success. And delaying the extension of the same biodiesel tax credits and incentives that have been in place for the past five years puts at risk billions of dollars of investment, not to mention our country's near-term capability to reduce our dependence on oil.

It is critical that we develop a portfolio of sustainable alternative energy sources, and BIODIESEL works today! For every gallon of biodiesel used instead of diesel, we keep 13 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere - and diesel fumes are 10x as carcinogenic as any other air pollutants. If you fail to renew and extend this critical piece of legislation, you will assure that the US loses the biodiesel industry.

Do the right thing and vote to save an industry that is dedicated to environmental responsibility and economic growth.

Sincerely,"

Forgive the rant, and have a happy and safe holiday season.

Mark Roberts
Springboard Biodiesel, LLC
The Cure for Diesel™