US Biodiesel Industry Producing Record Volumes

(Farm Business) US biodiesel production reached a new monthly high of 81 million gallons in June, according to the latest EPA statistics, marking a third consecutive month of record volumes and continuing a remarkable turnaround in which biodiesel production in the first half of 2011 has already eclipsed production for all of 2010.

The new numbers - coming after Congress reinstated the biodiesel tax incentive this year - demonstrate the power that strong domestic energy policy can have in helping create jobs and economic activity.

Despite the weak economy, the biodiesel industry is on track to produce at least 800 million gallons this year, more than double biodiesel production of 315 million gallons last year, when Congress allowed the biodiesel tax incentive to temporarily lapse. According to a recent economic study, this year’s rejuvenated production will support more than 31,000 U.S. jobs and generate income of nearly $1.7 billion to be circulated throughout the economy. It also is expected to generate an estimated $345 million in federal tax revenue and $283 million in state and local tax revenues.

"We’ve dramatically increased production and doubled our number of employees at a time when many industries are shrinking or treading water," said Ben Wootton, owner of Keystone Biofuels in Camp Hill, Pa. "It’s like night and day from 2010. I think that’s a testament to biodiesel’s staying power as an advanced biofuel and also to strong federal policy. We’re a young industry, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without the tax incentive - and a lot more people would be standing in the unemployment line." READ MORE