Signed into law by Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry in June 2005, Oklahoma incentives for biodiesel production include a 20-cents-per-gallon credit through 2011 for facilities producing at at least 25-percent capacity by the end of 2007, and a 7.5-cents-per-gallon credit beginning in 2012. The credit applies to expansions as well as new projects.
   Among the plants producing in Oklahoma is Green County Biodiesel in Chelsea, created in 2004 by two American Airlines mechanics. Like the corn-fuel circle in Nebraska, the soy-fuel circle is completed in the tractor engines of area soybean farmers. That fits with the owners' goal of marketing within a 200-mile (322-km.) radius.
   Biofuels received endorsement in October when the American Trucking Association (ATA) advocated a 5-percent biodiesel blend as part of the national diesel fuel standard. Mid-America Biofuels LLC, for one, has begun building Missouri's first commercial-scale biodiesel plant. Another firm, California–based American Biofuels announced in October an expansion of its California facility and said it was planning additional plants in "other key states."
   "Biodiesel represents an important part of a long-term energy plan designed to increase the nation's fuel supply and reduce our dependence on foreign oil," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. U.S. truckers were on track to spend $85 billion on fuel in 2005, which accounts for 25 percent of total operating costs.
   So the ATA joins a growing chorus of industries repeating a single message: Bring on the alternatives. In the central plains, they're listening.