ALEXANDRIA, Va. — After being barraged by criticism over its call to limit biodiesel nationwide, the American Trucking Associations’ now says it will advocate biodiesel blends of B5 ( 5 percent biodiesel).

The 180-degree decision comes two days after the ATA unanimously endorsed a national energy resolution that included eliminating boutique diesel fuels, and “limiting the use of biodiesel.” It was not clear exactly how the association hoped to limit usage of biofuel.

Minnesota recently became the first North American jurisdiction to mandate a biodiesel blend of B2 for truckers filling up in the state.

In a more recent press release, the ATA is now stating it has revised its alternative fuels policy as part of “the organization’s efforts to combat rising fuel prices and help shape a comprehensive national energy plan.”

Biodiesel is rapidly gaining popularity in North America.

“We need to look at all options for extending the supply of diesel fuel,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Grave. “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.”

ATA says it’s working with the National Biodiesel Board to promote the use of biodiesel and ensure its incorporation in the national diesel fuel standard.

Biodiesel blends of B5 meet the accepted quality standard and works in any diesel engine, the ATA acknowledged. As the nation transitions to ultra low sulfur diesel in 2006, biodiesel will help ensure that ULSD maintains adequate lubrication, the ATA added.

The response to ATA’s first announcement that seemed to snub biodiesel came quick-and not just from environmentalists, but also from many truckers looking for new ways to mitigate the escalating cost of standard petroleum diesel.

The outcry even crossed borders. Letters flooded the editors’ inbox at Canadian trucking news website TodaysTrucking.com, which reported on ATA’s original energy policy announcement earlier this week

“Why if biodiesel has so many benefits would the ATA want to limit its use?” asks Scott Antilla of Allied Preferred Express, LLC.

“I don’t understand (the) stand against biodiesel in (the ATA’s) energy policy statement. The information I get is bio is selling for less than straight petrol-diesel; it has good fuel system lubricity and is sulfur free. It also has a net positive energy balance … and thus reduces our dependence on foreign oil,” wrote John R. Christensen, Sr. to TodaysTrucking.com.

Christensen, who says he’s a retiree from enginemaker Cummins, Inc. adds: “I would agree against a mandate for some specified level of biodiesel, like the Minnesota law, but I can’t condone a blanket stand against bio.”

At current prices, the trucking industry, which consumes 35 billion gallons of diesel each year, is on pace to spend an unprecedented $85 billion US on fuel this year, the ATA says. “For many motor carriers, fuel often represents the second-highest expense after labour and can account for as much as 25 percent of total operating costs.”

The issue of biodiesel is just as controversial among Canadian truckers. Recently the Ontario Trucking Association successfully fought a planned rule to require truckers in the province to fill up with a B2 or B5 biodiesel blend. After months of lobbying, the OTA says the Ontario government has backed off those plans, citing the industry’s concerns over biodiesel as the main reason.