Daily News—12/01/09

German biodiesel firms claim US imports of biodiesel avoid imposed duties

Photo from: http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/german-biodiesel-tax-break-is-expiring/

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany's biodiesel industry, Europe's largest, is suffering from cheap U.S. imports of the green fuel which evade punitive European Union import duties, industry leaders said on Monday.

The EU in May imposed anti-subsidy duties on imports of biodiesel and fossil diesel/biofuel blends with more than 20 percent biodiesel content claiming they were sold at unfairly low prices because of U.S. biofuel subsidies.

But large imports of U.S. fossil diesel/biodiesel blends are still being made into the EU with a 19 percent biodiesel content which escapes EU anti-dumping duties, said Norbert Heim, chief executive of German oilseeds industry association Ufop.

One would think the US can use all the biodiesel it can make, but apparently, we can export it and still make a profit. Biodiesel becomes plentiful as fossil fuel decreases in supply. Do you agree?

European tariffs on US biodiesel to increase

European biodiesel makers are poised to file another complaint against their counterparts in the U.S.

Last March, the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) was able to successfully lobby European Union trade officials to impose tariffs of 26 euros ($39.02) to 41 euros ($61.53) per 100 kg (220 lbs) on American biodiesel, complaining the American biodiesel was unfairly subsidized. The tariffs have virtually shut the Yankee green fuel out of the European market. Biofuels International reports that the new complaint says U.S. biodiesel is still getting into Europe by way of third countries:

Look at the US making other countries angry because we can undercut their prices on biodiesel. Part of the reason for that is the tax break biodiesel producers receive from the US Government. Could the US become the Saudi of biodiesel? Seems possible to me.

American biodiesel industry fears the expiration of biodiesel bender’s tax credit

Western Iowa Energy Board and Project Manger
Front: (l to r) Tom Schroeder, Orlin Steinkamp, Jeff Cranston,
Denny Mauser. Back: (l to r) Jim Venner, Mark Muench,
John Geake, Warren Bush, Marla Conley, Jim Meyer.
Not pictured: Bill Horan, Kevin Ross, David Sieck. Photo from: http://www.westerniowaenergy.com/about_us.php

WALL LAKE, Iowa — The federal legislative clock is ticking for the biodiesel industry. Without swift congressional action, the clock could strike midnight on Dec. 31, bringing the U.S. biodiesel industry to a halt. The federal blender's tax credit offers $1 per gallon to the first entity to blend biodiesel with petroleum diesel. The biodiesel tax incentive is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2009. If the biodiesel tax incentive is allowed to lapse, the production and use of biodiesel in the U.S. will come to a halt.

According to a 2009 Environmental Law Institute study, subsidies to fossil fuels – a mature, developed industry that has enjoyed government support for many years – totaled approximately $72 billion over the study period, representing a direct cost to taxpayers. I urge policy makers to continue their support for our adolescent biodiesel industry. The biodiesel tax credit reduces our dependence on foreign oil, supports American agriculture and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

This Cinderella story deserves another “good news” chapter. Together, we need to ensure Congress understands we need to extend the biodiesel credit. Contact our Senators Grassley and Harkin and Congressman King. Ask them to make biodiesel a priority before the book is closed on this session. — Denny Mauser, director, Western Iowa Energy, LLC

Here is an appeal from an biodiesel industry leader explaining why his industry depends on some very specific actions from the federal government. I believe in biodiesel and I think it makes sense to most of the people I have talked with about it. Biodiesel is something Americans are doing for themselves and their future.

The fine art of recycling waste vegetable oil for use in biodiesel production

Plan ahead when you're going to recycle. Don’t wait until you have a pan of leftover oil to dump. Make a designated waste oil container to keep your little drips until you can recycle a larger amount. Photo: Flickr/_e.t

One search on Google News and you’ll find cooking oil recycling is a legitimate trend for communities around the nation.

While it may seem harmless, pouring the oil from your deep-fried turkey down the drain can harm wildlife and wreak havoc on local sewage systems.

Grease clings to pipes in small particles that latch onto each other, collecting until the mass is large enough to block sewage lines.

If you’re not collecting your excess grease in a cup beside the stove for later use (just like Grandma!), chances are your drain has some substantial clumps. In fact, cooking oil and kitchen grease is the No. 1 cause of clogged sewer pipes.

But there’s another option for disposing of cooking oil: alternative fuel. While many commercial facilities already contribute substantial supplies, some programs invite households to recycle their excess grease as well.

Some biofuel or biodiesel companies will often expand their number of drop-off points around food-related holidays, such as Thanksgiving, so take advantage.

Awareness of how to recycle WVO and other grease can make all the difference in the biodiesel movement in this country. Everyone should have a recycling routine, we are very big on this in California.

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