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U.S. Biodiesel Production Expected to Triple in 2005 |
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Written by Cameron Little
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Friday, 18 November 2005 |
November 15,
2005
Reporting by Roddy Scheer
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB), a
trade group representing the burgeoning American biodiesel industry, reported
last week that production and consumption of biodiesel is expected to jump
threefold this year in the
U.S. The industry expects to churn out 75 million
gallons of the alternative fuel in 2005, as compared to the 25 million
gallons produced in 2004.
Biodiesel can be produced from a variety of
plant stocks. A new federal tax incentive along
with increased state legislation calling for more alternative fuel use, not
to mention environmental considerations, are contributing to the rise in
demand. But patriotism is also playing a role, in that Americans increasingly
concerned about national security are turning to biodiesel as a way to lessen
the nation's dependence on foreign oil supplies.
"The recent energy
crunch causes us to think about energy in a way that we haven't in decades,"
said the NBB's Joe Jobe. "Americans are recognizing that conservation and
alternative energy are a big part of the answer to our
energy questions. Many
alternative energy sources are theoretical. But with biodiesel, we can
supplement our energy supply immediately."
Biodiesel, which is most
commonly derived from soy or canola oil, fuels any standard diesel engine
with little if any modification yet produces much fewer particulate
emissions. Also, the alternative fuel does not contribute to global warming,
as any carbon dioxide generated by its use is absorbed by the plants growing
to produce it.
Source: http://enn.com/aff.html?id=98
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