More Than 100 Scientists Declare Support for Biodiesel

[Guest Jessica Robinson]

More than 100 scientists, including two University Deans, have gone on record in the past four months in support of biodiesel by signing the “Scientists for Biodiesel” declaration, putting science squarely on the side of this important alternative fuel.

 

Thomas Payne, Vice Chancellor and Dean at the University of Missouri School of Agriculture, sees biodiesel as playing “a key role in our nation’s future energy and environmental security.” He added, “I am proud to add my voice to the growing chorus of scientists who are singing the praises of biodiesel and advocating for an increased commitment that will ensure that biodiesel reaches its full potential as a vital U.S. energy source.”

 

Scientists from U.C. Berkeley, Texas Tech, Penn State, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Sandia National Laboratories, to name just a few, recognize both the promise of sustainable biodiesel and the need for increased investment in biodiesel research and development.

 

Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of the Experiment Station at Iowa State University, Wendy Wintersteen, stressed the importance of a strong voice from the scientific community. “Scientists believe that research and innovation will continue to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of biodiesel,” she said. “With over 100 signatories, this declaration demonstrates the strength and breadth of support for biodiesel within the scientific community.”

 

“Our industry is at a critical juncture as we await details on implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard, and the future of the biodiesel tax incentive remains uncertain,” said National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO Joe Jobe. “This show of support from the scientific community will hopefully help people see through the misinformation that defenders of the status quo have spread.”

 

The “Scientists for Biodiesel” declaration was announced in early February by Dr. Rob Myers, a director of the Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, and Roger Beachy, President of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. The declaration highlights biodiesel’s sustainability and its benefits to reduce dependence on petroleum, help address climate change and boost domestic economies. It also calls for more investment into the scientific needs associated with this vital bioenergy source. More information, the full text of the declaration and a list of scientists who have signed, as well as the sign up site for scientists, are available at

 

http://www.biodieselsustainability.com.

 

Biodiesel is a cleaner burning, advanced biofuel made from renewable resources. It is domestically produced from a range of readily available products like soybean and other plant oils, animal fats, recycled restaurant grease, and waste grease. In addition work continues on new renewable fuel sources, including algae, to bolster what is already the most diversified fuel on the planet.