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Renewable Energy Group has acquired two biodiesel plants, making it North America's largest biodiesel manufacturer, the company said.

The Transportation Department announced last week it will drop some materials, including paint and diesel fuel, from the list of substances the agency considers dangerous enough to require hazmat motor carriers to file detailed security plans.

The average price for retail diesel rose for a third straight week, this time by 4.3 cents to $2.904 a gallon, to the highest level since November 2008, the Department of Energy reported.

The average retail price of U.S. diesel rose 2.9 cents last week, the second consecutive increase, pushing the cost of trucking’s main fuel to $2.861 a gallon, according to the Department of Energy.

California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District is offering incentive funding of up to $50,000 for the purchase of a diesel truck or up to $100,000 for the purchase of a natural gas truck, in return for scrapping an older Class 8 diesel truck, the agency said.

Senate Democrats expect to pass an unemployment benefits bill soon that includes a provision retroactively reinstating a biodiesel tax credit through the end of the year, according to a spokeswoman for Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

A proposed 5% biodiesel mandate has died in the Iowa state legislature, the Fort Dodge Messenger reported.