In March, the European Commission imposed tariffs of 26 euros ($34.51) to 41 euros ($54.42) per 100 kg (220 lbs) on American biodiesel, virtually shutting the Yankee green fuel out of the European market.
Today, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) turned in formal written comments to the EC’s decision to impose those provisional antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on U.S. biodiesel entering Europe, citing procedural and factual shortcomings in Europe’s decision:
“The comments we have filed highlight that arbitrary procedural conclusions and inaccurate market assumptions were used by the EC as the basis for imposing provisional duties on U.S. biodiesel,” stated Manning Feraci, NBB’s Vice President for Federal Affairs. “The rationale used to impose AD and CVD duties – which clearly benefit the interests of European biodiesel producers – runs afoul of the EU’s WTO commitments.”
The NBB’s comments plainly illustrate that the European industry has not been harmed by U.S. competition, a fundamental fact that must be proven before duties can be finalized later this year. The comments filed by the NBB also note the faulty procedural assumptions that are utilized in the EC’s ruling, specifically relating to the arbitrary decision to change the definition of the product under investigation. In addition, the provisional ruling also appears to omit key information from significant EU biodiesel producers that would be detrimental to the European Biodiesel Board’s (EBB) claims in the investigations. Strikingly, the EU producers that are alleging harm in the complaints have increased their market share by 5.8% and posted a 5.7% profit, which is quite healthy by industry standards.
Feraci adds that he hopes the EC will recognize the value of the NBB’s comments and meet its WTO obligations.
Biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel weren’t the only energy alternatives on the program at the Farm Foundation Transition To A Bio Economy Conference. We also had a presentation on wind energy from Mark Willers, Minwind Energy.
The 
The legislative guru for the 
Using a model for lifecycle assessment of transportation fuels called 
The report was commissioned by the 
The purchase of seven VeraSun plants by Valero Energy has caused quite a buzz in financial circles and within the biofuels industry. This sale marked the most significant entrance into the ethanol market by an oil company. So what does this mean and who will this benefit? These questions and others will be answered during the interactive webinar: Who Will Benefit from the Biofuel Industry’s Current Distress? The webinar, hosted by INFOCAST, is scheduled for April 2 from 1:00 -2:30 ET.
As we approach the 39th celebration of 
“…if Americans and a new, broader environmental and climate movement are to be successful, we will need to find more successful ways to think and talk about—or frame—global climate change and its serious impacts already becoming visible around the country.” One way to reframe this conversation, says Musil, is show people that the environment is not just around us but inside us. “It is us.”
The sale of five ethanol plants and a development site from bankrupt 
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“We must ensure biofuels are done right,” said Franz Matzner, acting legislative director for NRDC. “A key step is for EPA to accurately determine the global warming emissions associated with biofuels by using the best science and economic data available.” 
Alternative energy, including biodiesel, ethanol, wind and solar power, set a record in 2008.