Summary of pending US energy and agricultural legislation published

Biodiesel Magazine published a summary of pending energy and agricultural legislation in the United States this fall relating to biodiesel. The summary includes a look at the Differential Export Tax (DET), the IRS’ expanded definition of renewable diesel, and the prospects for a potential veto of the Farm Bill over subsidies, which would be the first such veto since 1956.

The primary issue facing the government this year is establishing clear targets for mandated biofuel consumption. Biofuels producers and marketers argue that consumers tend to act on price rather than public policy goals; with biofuels prices not offering a strong price incentive for switching, mandates will be necessary to provide a stable demand outlook necessary to justify long-term capital investment in plants, machinery and infrastructure.

The threat of a veto of the Farm Bill comes over subsidies. Among those in hot dispute is the Brazilian ethanol tariff, which protects US ethanol producers but creates higher prices in the US and retards US ethanol demand growth.

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