The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed an amendment as part of its comprehensive Energy Bill that will allow the use of biodiesel to earn full credit for fleets covered under the Energy Policy Act (EPACT). EPACT, which was signed into law on Oct. 24, 1992, did not orignally include biodiesel as an eligible alternative fuel. The legislation was updated in 1998 to allow the use of biodiesel by fleets to meet up to 50 percent of the purchase requirements placed on covered fleets. The amendment, introduced by Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO), lifts the 50 percent credit cap on the use of biodiesel. Talent’s office estimated that the legislation will expand the biodiesel market by 20 million gallons.