Now the biofuels sector has become the latest green transportation field to suffer disappointment in 2009. The year started off rocky with the European Union in March unveiling import-killing tariffs on biodiesel and other biofuel. Then, as the U.S. recovered from the recession, diesel prices dropped 18 percent off their highs, making it harder to justify the high costs of biodiesel.

Now another nail has been placed in the commercial biofuel industry’ coffin — the government $1/gallon federal tax credit will expire this Friday. And for many businesses in the industry, it may be the last; amid a frustrating market, many biodiesel makers across the U.S. say they will likely call it quits and cease production when the credit ends.