The head of the National Biodiesel Board liked what he heard from last week’s State of the Union speech. CEO Joe Jobe says he was pleased that alternative fuels… in particular, biodiesel… took such a prominent position in President Bush’s annual address to Congress.

“Obviously, we were very excited to hear him lay out his 20 in 10 plan [reducing U.S. gasoline consumption by 20 percent in the next 10 years]. It’s a very bold initiative for renewable energy… alternative energy,” Jobe says.

Jobe went on to say that he was encouraged that in the Democrat response, the new leaders indicated they wanted to work with Bush on energy issues. He added that this plan differed than those in the past in that it was more of a comprehensive energy plan implementing alternative fuels with conservation measures. “There really is no single, silver bullet. It’s going to take more of a silver buckshot approach to resolve our energy issues.”

Finally, Jobe says while speeches are one thing, it will take some working together by government and industry to bring the plan to fruition. “We’re hopeful that for the sake of the country… for the sake of the future of this country… we’re hopeful that our leaders in Washington can come together and do what’s right for the nation.”

Jobe expects Bush’s speech and “20 in 10” proposal will be a hot topic of conversation at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in San Antonio, TX, Feb. 4-7th.

Listen to the interview with Jobe here: Joe Jobe (8 min MP3)