Biodiesel Returns More Energy To The Earth Than Ever, Study Finds

More data show how EPA should give biodiesel credit for advancements. . .
without giving petroleum a free ride

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Biodiesel is better
than ever at harnessing the power of the sun and turning it into fuel. In
fact, a study shows the fuel is returning more than four times the energy that
it takes to make biodiesel.

Newly published research from the University of Idaho and U.S. Department of
Agriculture shows that for every unit of fossil energy needed to produce
biodiesel, the return is 4.5 units of energy. This energy-in, energy-out ratio
is "energy balance."

Biodiesel made from soybean oil has a high energy balance because the main
energy source used to grow soybeans is solar.

"This gives Americans even more reason to put their faith in the environmental
and societal benefits of biodiesel," said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National
Biodiesel Board. "The Environmental Protection Agency should take this into
account when considering biodiesel's greenhouse gas reductions," he said.

Jobe was referring to EPA's proposed rule to implement the expanded Renewable
Fuels Standard (RFS2). EPA used 2005 baseline numbers for petroleum and
biodiesel to project carbon impact 22 years in the future. That stacks the
deck in favor of petroleum.

"In its rulemaking, EPA should recognize that biodiesel production is growing
more efficient, while oil exploration and drilling becomes more intensive each
day," Jobe said.

The USDA/Idaho study finds key drivers that continue to make biodiesel an
efficient fuel choice:

-- New seed varieties and management practices are upping soybean yields.
-- Farmers have minimized cultivation of the soil. These reduced tillage
practices have cut how much fuel they need to grow soybeans.
-- Modern soybean varieties have reduced the need for pesticides.

-- Today's soybean processing and biodiesel plants are more energy
efficient.

"Our research shows continued progress in the renewability of biodiesel
production," said University of Idaho Department of Biological and
Agricultural Engineering Assistant Professor Dev Shrestha. "Farmers, soybean
processors and biodiesel producers are getting even better at using non-fossil
resources and adopting other efficiencies that are leading to greater energy
returns."

The new study is based on biodiesel produced from soybean oil, the largest
share of the biodiesel market. Other abundant sources used for biodiesel
included recycled cooking oil, fats and other plant oils, such as canola oil.
Biodiesel is a clean-burning renewable fuel for diesel engines. It improves
air quality and creates green-collar jobs. The NBB is the national trade
association of the industry.

For more details on biodiesel and NBB's formal comments to EPA, visit
www.biodiesel.org. For a complete copy of the report go to
http://www.usda.gov/oce/energy and click on Papers and Reports.

SOURCE National Biodiesel Board

Jenna Higgins of NBB, +1-800-841-5849