Biodiesel Should Be at the Crux of the Energy Debate (Rep. Michael Burgess)

I strongly believe that home-grown fuels, such as biodiesel, can move the United States towards greater energy independence and simultaneous clean our air.

Despite the benefits, biodiesel-capable cars and trucks have been slow to hit the market. I’ve introduced legislation that would give B20 (a biodiesel/gasoline blend which is 20% biodiesel by volume) vehicles the same additional CAFE credit as ethanol flex-fueled cars. Alternative fuels receive an additional CAFE credit because they help to reduce the use of petroleum fuels or provide a clean air benefit – biodiesel does both.

The EPA has shown that for every unit of diesel fuel replaced by B20, lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 13%. When you consider that diesel engines are, on average, approximately 30% more efficient than gasoline engines, biodiesel is almost as green as Kermit.