Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) submitted a proposal Wednesday to amend H.R. 5297, or the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010, by retroactively extending the biodiesel tax credit.


Lincoln's amendment would extend the biodiesel tax credit through Dec. 31, 2010. The credit expired Dec. 31, 2009, and industry stakeholders have not been able to see legislation extending it.

In June, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) submitted a similar amendment, in his second attempt to pass legislation to extend the credit. According to a statement, Grassley believes the tax credit would likely put 20,000 people back to work.

"The Democratic leadership has essentially put the biodiesel industry out of business with the tactics they are using in the Congress," he said. "This non-controversial, non-partisan provision for clean, green energy is being held hostage."

Lincoln's amendment is co-sponsored by Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.).