On June 30 the Environmental Protection Agency made another extension of the comment period on the proposed RFS-2 rule. Previously the comment period had been extended to July 27, but now has been lengthened to Sept. 25.

The National Biodiesel Board is concerned by the 60-day extension because it will delay implementation.

"It's already far behind schedule, it was supposed to be enacted by Jan. 1, 2009," said NBB's Washington Director of Communications Michael Frohlich. "Although we are appreciative that there is an opportunity for concerned citizens and stakeholders, it still doesn't change the fact that it is going to delay the process even more, hurting the biodiesel industry."

Frohlich says removal of the indirect land use calculations that are still part of the rule is the most critical change needed in the rule, and hopes this extra time can be used toward that goal.

"The National Biodiesel Board would like to extend an invitation to work with the Obama Administration, EPA, and members of Congress to make sure we can implement a timely rule that is workable and doesn't exclude any feedstocks from the production of biodiesel moving forward," Frohlich said.