10/2/06 (soyatech.com ) Saint Louis, Missouri... The American Soybean Association (ASA) applauded Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen L. JohnsonÌs comments about the ability of U.S. agriculture to meet demand for biodiesel and other renewable fuels that can reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

During his keynote address to the General Session of the National Biodiesel Board's (NBB) 2006 Biodiesel Conference & Expo, in San Diego, Ca., Johnson recognized the important role biodiesel can play in protecting the environment and helping to break America's addiction to foreign oil. In a press conference with reporters after his speech, Johnson stated that the U.S. agricultural industry is Ïstrong and up to the challengeÓ to reduce AmericaÌs dependence on foreign oil.

"EPA has been a leader in working to increase the use of renewable fuels," said ASA President and soybean producer Bob Metz, who participated in an industry meeting with the Administrator today during the NBB conference. "Soybean farmers look forward to new opportunities to work with EPA on our shared mission of protecting the environment and reducing foreign oil consumption. We're excited about the role American-made biodiesel can play in these efforts."

Johnson's speech was his first in California since the President's State of the Union address on January 31, in which he outlined his ambitious goal of replacing more than 75 percent of oil imports from the Middle East with alternative sources of energy by the year 2025.

The Administrator also discussed the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 budget, released on February 6, which includes $50 million for clean diesel programs - a $38 million increase. It also provides $11 million for implementation of the Renewable Fuels Standard.

"American soybean farmers stand ready to respond to these new opportunities and fulfill the need for increased production of biodiesel," Metz said.

ASA serves as the collective policy voice of 25,000 U.S. soybean producers on national issues important to all U.S. soybean farmers. ASA led efforts in Congress to enact the groundbreaking biodiesel tax incentive that went into effect in 2005 and helped spur demand for the cleaner-burning, domestically produced fuel.