The National Biodiesel Board has joined some key members of the House Agriculture Committee to rally for the expansion of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

This NBB press release says the biodiesel group joined Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) during the rally:

The Energy Bill scheduled for consideration in the U.S. House contains a provision to use clean-burning, domestically produced renewable fuels to promote energy independence by expanding the existing RFS to 36 billion gallons by 2022. The proposal would also provide for a renewable requirement in diesel fuel. It would be met by biodiesel and other biomass-based diesel fuels. The legislation specifically requires that 500 million gallons of biodiesel and biomass-based diesel fuel be blended into the diesel pool in 2009, gradually ramping up to one billion gallons by 2012.

“This legislation recognizes, for the first time, the importance of ensuring that at least a portion of our nation’s diesel fuel needs are met through renewable, domestically produced fuels,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the NBB, who spoke at the Washington event. “This will truly help diversify our nation’s fuel supply by setting a floor for usage of biodiesel and other biomass-based diesel products. We commend Congress for making a strong commitment to energy security.”