The Issue
Congress is considering the large budget reconciliation package known as the “Build Back Better Act”. Provisions in the bill extend the $1 per gallon blenders tax credit that both biodiesel and renewable diesel enjoy today and is a key element to help REG bring these low carbon fuels to the market. HOWEVER, the bill would also grant Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) additional tax incentives that are much more generous than those offered for renewable diesel or biodiesel. Today, most SAF, biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel are derived from the same feedstocks. However, SAF typically emits higher greenhouse gases than biodiesel or renewable diesel fuel because more energy is required to produce the fuel and less fuel is derived from feedstocks.
Additional tax incentives afforded to SAF may likely result in large scale feedstock diversion to SAF that limits value creation for biodiesel produced at Albert lea and dilutes greenhouse gas emissions. Over incentivization of SAF could result in financial hardship for many of REG’s production facilities in the U.S.
Advocacy Campaign
We are urging all of you to contact your Senators to ask that all lower carbon biofuels – SAF, biodiesel and renewable diesel – receive equal tax treatment under the Build Back Better Act. We have made the process easy for you. Through our VoterVoice Action Center off to the right, you will find a pre-drafted e-mail that you can send directly to Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. If you choose, you may also call the Senators’ offices and we have provided a pre-drafted script for you as well. Participation is by no means required but we urge you all to participate in this grassroots effort to keep fuel flowing from our U.S. production facilities.
Please contact Ezra Finkin (ezra.finkin@regi.com) if you have any questions or concerns.