Complete Story
01/31/2005
Representative Kaptur Presented With Energy Award
Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) today presented Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) with the National Energy Leadership Award for her commitment to renewable energy and domestic energy security. Rep. Kaptur has played a key role in opening doors that have led to the increased use of biodiesel, including her support of DaimlerChrysler's decision to fill every new 2005 Jeep Liberty Common Rail Diesel (CRD) leaving the factory with B5 a five percent blend of biodiesel.
Biodiesel is a cleaner burning alternative fuel that can be used in any diesel engine in pure form or blended with petroleum diesel. It can be made from any fat or oil, such as soybean oil, produced here in the United States. NBB presented the award to Kaptur today following her speech during the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo which is being held January 30 - February 2 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
"Rep. Kaptur has been a long-time friend to biodiesel," said NBB executive director Joe Jobe. "From the beginning, she has recognized that biodiesel is not only good for domestic energy security and the environment, but also for farmers and our economy here at home. We are pleased to present Rep. Kaptur with this leadership award and look forward to working together in the future."
"I would like to thank Joe Jobe and the members of the National Biodiesel Board for this award," said Rep. Kaptur. "Biodiesel and other alternative fuels should be a national commitment. They provide an economic opportunity for our farmers, as well as a new product for our auto industry. In fact, the biodiesel-powered Jeep Liberty CRD will soon roll off the production line in Toledo, Ohio."
In addition to her role in DaimlerChrysler's recent announcement that 2005 Jeep Liberty CRDs will leave the Toledo-Ohio factory powered by B5, Kaptur has repeatedly supported biodiesel-friendly legislation, including the Energy Title of the 2002 Farm Bill. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, she has tirelessly worked to ensure the continued growth of thebiodiesel industry because she believes that American agriculture can make a difference to America's energy security through biodiesel and other renewable fuels. She also supported passage of the first-ever biodiesel tax incentive that went into effect on January 1, 2005. The new law is expected to make biodiesel more accessible to all consumers. In her home state of Ohio, she has co-hosted an educational conference on biofuels to promote greater use of them.
"Ohio is very fortunate to have a biodiesel enthusiast like Rep. Kaptur," said Mike Clark, Warren County soybean producer and Ohio Soybean Council Board Member and NBB director. "As a soybean farmer in Ohio, I am very grateful for her support of my product as should be all producers. Her dedication to the industry helps strengthen our bottom line."
More than 500 major fleets use biodiesel nationwide. Ohio alone has several major entities that use the renewable fuel, including The Ohio State University, The Ohio Department of Transportation, Toledo Area Metro Parks, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, NASA'a John Glenn Research Center, Franklin County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority, and the farm at Malabar State Park, just to name a few.
Nationwide, about 300 retail filling stations make various biodiesel blends available to the public, and more than 1,000 petroleum distributors carry it nationwide. While offering superior lubricity, biodiesel offers similar fuel economy, horsepower and torque to petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a fuel and fuel additive. It is the only alternative fuel to have passed the rigorous Health Effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. Results show biodiesel reduces carcinogenic air toxics by 75-90% compared to diesel. The results, submitted to the EPA in 2000, also show biodiesel is non-toxic, biodegradable and free of sulfur. Emissions it reduces include particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and sulfates. B100 (pure biodiesel) also reduces lifecycle carbon dioxide by 78% compared to petroleum diesel according to DOE research.
NBB is the nonprofit trade association for the biodiesel industry and is headquartered in Jefferson City, MO. Readers can learn more about biodiesel by visiting http://www.biodiesel.org/
Disclaimer: As a service to our Web site users, the Ohio Soybean Council is including an archive of past news releases. Please be advised that these releases are reproduced as issued. Information and projections contained in them were up-to-date at the time of issuance. For current information, please contact Ohio Soybean Council office tel: (614) 476-3100.
