Ohio Soybean Association joins federal petition in support of domestic biofuels

In Ohio, at a time of growing consensus on the need for greater reliance on domestic fuel sources, Highland County Press reports that the Ohio Soybean Association joined other state soybean associations in support of a petition to include biofuels in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s vehicle standards. OSA filed the petition with a federal appeals court along with soybean associations from Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota as well as Diamond Alternative Energy LLC.

OSA and allied groups argue the EPA’s final rule for greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for passenger cars and light trucks would exclude biofuels by mandating only electric vehicles as the sole technology solution to curb GHG emissions in the transportation sector. This action is at odds with the Clean Air Act and directly contradicts the law passed by Congress to promote renewable fuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“American grain farmers have a proven solution for improved air quality that’s grown right here at home,” said OSA President and Shelby County soybean farmer Patrick Knouff. “Using biodiesel instead reduces GHG emissions by more than 85 percent compared to petroleum-based fuels.”