WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, spoke to the National Biodiesel Board June 18, telling industry leaders that he will continue to press for passage of an extension of the biodiesel tax incentive.
Grassley also refuted the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s “intellectually dishonest and economically unfactual” biofuels smear campaign. Grassley stressed the importance of biodiesel for America’s environment, economy and energy security.
Extension
In his capacity as the Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, he reiterated his desire to work in a bipartisan manner to pass an extender package that includes the biodiesel tax incentive.
Grassley was also critical of the antibiofuels public relations campaign that is being waged by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
He noted that only one chief executive officer from the grocery industry, out of 15 invited, has accepted the invitation to meet with him and Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer to discuss the group’s campaign to discredit biofuels.
“The biggest culprit behind the rising food cost is $135 barrel oil,” he said. “This campaign is led by an organization that should be a loyal member of the food chain.
Scapegoat
“Instead, they are making biofuels the scapegoat to defend their own bottom line. The truth is that America’s family farmers are producing more food, and fuel, than ever before.”
“Lifting the biofuels incentives won’t ease food prices,” Grassley said. “By using less biofuel, we will in fact lift food prices.”
