While still in the winter of 2011 we return to a season of discontent. Oil prices are soaring, food prices are soaring, as well as other commodities. The recent Biodiesel Conference was very much counter seasonal with many warm summer breezes:
- the tax credit of 1.00/gallon came back
- RIN values have risen dramatically making biodiesel competitive to petroleum diesel in price
Many argue that Massachusetts was very wise to insist on waste feedstock for biodiesel, which takes the food price argument off the table.
Massachusetts has demonstrated a very successful program, so successful that the Massachusetts state mandate may be postponed indefinitely to rely on voluntary efforts.
As energy independence and reducing spending (especially on foreign energy spending) dominates the news, it is great to have a great story in biodiesel.
I happen to be especially proud of Massachusetts – remember, Massachusetts is where America started!