The White House issued a directive on Tuesday ordering the federal government to move toward alternative-fuel vehicles. The National Biodiesel Board applauded the move – pointing out biodiesel’s position as an advanced biofuel that reduces emissions significantly, can be used in current vehicles and is widely available. Gary Haer – Chairman of the National Biodiesel Board – says there is room for continued growth of biodiesel in the federal fleet as biodiesel is perfectly suited for this program.

Biodiesel’s production, distribution and use will support more than 30-thousand U.S. jobs and replace nearly one-billion gallons of petroleum diesel this year. Each year – the government uses more than 66-million gallons of diesel fuel and 6.5-million gallons of biodiesel – but Haer says using biodiesel to power the entire federal diesel fleet is within reach and an achievable objective for the current Administration.