The U.S. Energy Information Administration began tracking biodiesel consumption in 2001. For the first few years biodiesel consumption remained relatively low – well under one thousand barrels per year. Beginning with 2005 the consumption of biodiesel began to increase dramatically and peaked at a high of 8.5 million barrels per year in 2007. The consumption of biodiesel slowed in 2010 due to U.S. economic conditions and the discontinuation of a Federal biodiesel producer tax credit. The credit, which expired in December 2009, was reinstated in December 2010. With the recovering economy and the tax credit returned, biodiesel consumption has rallied, exceeding 2010 levels in just the first six months of 2011.

Biodiesel Consumption, 2001-2011*
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* 2011 figure is for the first 6 months.

Supporting Information

Biodiesel Consumption 2001-2011*
YearBiodiesel Consumption
(Million Barrels)
20010.243
20020.385
20030.322
20040.640
20052.163
20066.204
20078.528
20087.519
20097.537
20105.447
2011 6 Months*5.807

* 2011 figure is for the first 6 months.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, September 2011, Table 10.4.
Additional resources: National Biodiesel Board, Letter at Biodiesel Conference website and The Spokesman Review, Business section, January 2010

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