Biodiesel poll: 80% of US voters support a renewable fuel standard

A recent national US survey shows that biodiesel is an increasingly popular alternative fuel and that support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is on the rise, according to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB).

With just one month until the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) releases the final RFS rule, 80% of voters support a renewable fuel standard, with 10% opposing it and the rest undecided.

Voter support of an RFS is up from just 70% two years ago.

Moore Information conducted an online survey of registered voters nationwide on behalf of the NBB.

‘This is just more evidence that the EPA should strengthen biodiesel volumes in the final RFS proposal,’ says Anne Steckel, VP of federal affairs at the NBB.

‘There is substantial public support and mounting data behind strong renewable fuel volumes that allow for additional growth in the programme. We are hopeful the administration and EPA recognise the opportunity they have to deliver meaningful policy that will reduce carbon emissions and reduce our dependence on oil.’

The survey also showed that despite drops in oil and gas prices, public support for renewable fuels has not been adversely affected.

On the contrary, it appears the public is increasing its support for renewables, like cleaner burning biodiesel.

Biodiesel is the first EPA-designated advanced biofuel to reach commercial-scale production US-wide.

With plants in nearly every state in the country, the industry is working to displace nearly two billion gallons of fossil fuel annually.

According to the EPA, biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57-86% compared with petroleum diesel.

View complete poll results here.