July 31, 2006 8:30 AM, EDT

Agriculture Transporters Form Renewable Fuels Task Force

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merican Trucking Associations’ Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference said last week that it has formed a Renewable Fuels Task Force to examine issues associated with renewable fuels and their importance to the commercial agricultural trucking industry.

The initiative follows the House of Representatives’ and Senate’s recent introduction of concurrent resolutions establishing a national renewable energy goal whereby 25% of U.S. energy consumed must come from agricultural-based renewable fuels by the year 2025.

ATA has said it supports the use of biodiesel in blends up to 5% that meet applicable quality standards and are part of a single, national diesel fuel standard.

AFTC Chairman Greg Owen said the resolutions will benefit AFTC members and the U.S. agricultural industry.

“With today’s rising energy costs and fuel charges, it is imperative that Americans and the business community work together to support renewable energy sources that can make the United States less dependent on imported sources of energy.

Commercial agricultural transportation will play a key role in the transport, distribution and use of renewable energy fuels,” Owen said.

Appointed to serve on task force are: John Whittington, Grammer Industries, chairman; Mike Miller, Miller Trucking Co.; Mark Peterson, C.H. Robinson; Al Eiden, CHS Cooperatives; Dennis Berryhill, Fleetwood Transportation; and Bob Chituras, Foster Farms.