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The biodiesel industry was at a virtual standstill last week, despite an assurance by two Senate leaders they will introduce legislation “as soon as possible” to reinstate the tax credit that expired on Dec. 31.

The average price of U.S. retail diesel rose 6.5 cents a gallon last week to $2.797, the Department of Energy reported, and additional increases may be on the way as crude oil remained above $80 a barrel.

A federal tax credit that provided makers of biodiesel $1 for every gallon expired Friday, and as a result some U.S. producers say they will shut down without the government subsidy, the Associated Press reported.

The average cost of a gallon of diesel in the United States rose for the first time in eight weeks, inching up 0.6 cent to $2.732 a gallon, the Department of Energy reported.

Biodiesel producers are threatening to shut down their operations if the Senate does not approve a bill that would extend the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax credit due to expire on Dec. 31.

U.S. retail diesel prices dipped for the sixth straight week as the national average declined 2.4 cents to $2.748 a gallon, the Department of Energy reported.