The National Biodiesel Board is taking exception with a report that seems to equate unsustainable practices to produce biodiesel in some parts of the world with what American biodiesel producers are doing
In a statement from Manning Feraci, Vice President of Federal Affairs at the NBB, the group takes aim at the report titled, “Biofuel Plantations on Forested Lands: Double Jeopardy for Biodiversity and Climate” :
“The U.S. biodiesel industry does not support or condone practices that cause the destruction of sensitive ecosystems such as rainforests in Southeast Asia. In fact, credible science has repeatedly shown that the vegetable oils and animal fats produced in the U.S. and used for biodiesel production are sustainable and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions when compared to fossil fuels. This information was unfortunately not acknowledged in this study.
“It is interesting that throughout this study, the authors repeatedly acknowledge shortcomings in the data necessary to make definitive determinations on greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the paper notes:
‘Our study has some important limitations. First, the analysis of greenhouse gas emissions contains uncertainties because of necessary assumptions and the limited empirical basis of some published figures.’
NBB officials say that biodiesel, produced from sustainable U.S. feedstocks, can be a key part of America’s strategy to reduce its dependence on foreign oil. They fault the researchers for trying to use inexact science and incomplete data to possibly to try affect America’s commitment to biofuels.