The biodiesel industry is gathering at the National Biodiesel Board’s National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego starting January 19. With turmoil in the federal Renewable Fuel Standards program and low petroleum prices, the industry will be highlighting the important role biodiesel has to play in lowering carbon in the atmosphere. Biodiesel is commercially available and produces up to 90 percent less carbon emissions than petroleum diesel. Further, many biodiesel technologies are capable of using waste products as the primary input. National carbon reduction goals under the Paris Climate Accord generally are not being met, and in some cases carbon emissions are increasing. Here in the U.S., carbon emissions increased last year, largely based on increased use of transportation fuel given a stronger economy. While it seems that substantial federal action on carbon reduction is not likely until after the 2020 election cycle, there are significant carbon reduction strategies in effect or being implemented in various Canadian provinces and at the Canadian federal level. In the U.S., the primary drivers are carbon cap-and-trade programs in California and Oregon, as well as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative of nine northeastern states. Conference sessions will focus on these programs and the potential for additional similar programs here in the U.S.
