ABSTRACT
Introduction The mere fact that this book is being published is testament to the significant progress that has been made in the production and use of biodiesel in the United States and around the world. Many of our colleagues will be covering details of biodiesel production, emissions, quality, and by-products; therefore, we will not deal with these aspects in detail here. Instead, this chapter focuses on the background of biodiesel in the United States, the driving forces for biodiesel use, how these driving forces are manifesting themselves in the marketplace and in public opinion, and provides some insight into the future of biodiesel use as a fuel in the United States.
