National Biodiesel Board Biodiesel Bulletin
National Biodiesel Board Biodiesel Bulletin
In This Issue October 2, 2006


New Biodiesel-Approved Offering Hits the Off-road

Farmers now have more options than tractors, trucks and implements for using biodiesel. Arctic Cat has just announced and completed development of a twin-cylinder diesel ATV, the first on the market. Popular on farms, Arctic Cat is encouraging the use of a biodiesel blend in these ATVs. The company began manufacturing them last month.

The Arctic Cat machine comes with a fuel tag that recommends biodiesel use of up to B20. This was the first time B20 had been commercially promoted in small diesel engines. Two sponsor of the research were Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council (MSR&PC) and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute’s Center for Producer-Owned Energy. Two percent biodiesel, or B2, is now standard in Minnesota. Arctic Cat is also based in Minnesota.

Arctic Cat was very impressed with B20, and it offers a good selling point for farmers, said Ole Tweet, vice president of new product development “It says to them, ‘Here’s a vehicle for you that runs on the very stuff you grow.’ That’s a tremendous attribute.”

Arctic Cat rigorously tested Lombardini diesel engine ATVs on emissions, sound levels, hot-start capability at air temperatures of 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and normal-life engine durability tests, which simulate five years of consumer use. The tests compared for winter use with a No. 1 winter blend as well.

The 686cc twin cylinder, SOHC 4-stroke diesel engine, provides 30 percent greater fuel mileage over a conventional gasoline engine and provides extra low-end torque. The engine runs efficiently on six forms of diesel fuel, including B20, with a glow plug pre-heater assist for starting.

Three Biodiesel Facilities Earn Highest Quality Production Mark

World Energy and Griffin Industries, some of the nation’s first biodiesel suppliers, are two of the latest companies to embrace BQ-9000, a voluntary quality control program. World Energy, based in Massachusetts, recently earned the distinction of Accredited Producer. Griffin, another company early to biodiesel production has also just received the accreditation. Joining the recent inductees in this program is Cargill, who has earned this distinction as a company new to biodiesel production in the U.S. To date, 12 companies are accredited, with another six undergoing the process.

BQ-9000 is a quality assurance certification program that includes procedures for fuel production, storage, handling and management aimed at ensuring fuel quality throughout production and distribution. There are two categories: Certified Marketer and Accredited Producer. Both NBB and the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association have adopted the program. To date, two companies are Certified Marketers.

Soy Biodiesel 250: A Victory for All

The Soy Biodiesel 250 showed that biodiesel is on the fast track at the Iowa Speedway last month. The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) made this so-named race possible by sponsoring the track’s inaugural race.

“ISA stepped out of its comfort zone by sponsoring this event,” said Kirk Leeds, CEO of ISA, “but we wanted to let people know that we have a product in our own backyards that can not only reduce our dependency on foreign fuel but also boost our economy. It turned out to be a great marriage, because that product is partnered with a groundbreaking idea like the Speedway, which will provide jobs and economic relief to Iowa,” he said. “Really, we were on Victory Lane before the race even started.”

Winning the race was Woody Howard (pictured with ISA president Ray Gaesser), driver of the No. 55 Dean Motorsports Chevrolet. Howard not only won the Soy Biodiesel 250 trophy, but also christening rights to Iowa Speedway Victory Lane.

Dignitaries at the race included Senator Charles Grassley, who also had the privilege of announcing, “Drivers, start your engines” before the start of the race. ISA asked Senator Grassley to perform this honored duty due to his long-time advocacy for renewable fuels. Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and First Lady Christie, Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, congressmen, and representatives of the National Biodiesel Board also attended.

Adding to its attention, the Soy Biodiesel 250 was broadcast on the Speed Channel.

Register Now for Best National Biodiesel Conference Rates

As the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo gears up for the city of Remembering the Alamo, don’t forget to register to be there. The conference is again shaping up for its biggest year ever, so pre-registration is recommended. You can take advantage of Early Bird rates if you register by November 15 for the Feb. 4-7, 2007 event.

With a record number of biodiesel marketers, feedstock growers, fuel distributors, government leaders and biodiesel users attending the 2006 meeting, you won’t want to miss this meeting in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. New to the rich educational program for 2007 will be a production track. The conference, to be held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center, will include an array of networking and social events in this dynamic city, along with the Expo, showcasing 175 booths.

The National Biodiesel Conference is hosted by the National Biodiesel Board and sponsors.

Early Bird specials significantly lower the price of registration. Remember, register by November 15 to get those rates. River-walk yourself over to www.biodieselconference.org/2007 for more details.

Alternative Energy Fans Can Begin Planning for April AFVI Conference

Registration is ready for one of the largest alternative fuel and vehicle conferences in North America. The Alternative Fuels & Vehicles Conference + Expo will be held in Anaheim, California, April 1-4, 2007. The national conference, presented by the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVI), attracts over 1500 key experts and end users to accelerate the commercial adoption of alternative fuels, vehicles, and advanced transportation technologies.

The program emphasis is on alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles and advanced transportation technologies, vehicle emissions and policy. Highlights will include the expanded expo, ride-n-drive and fleet day. The expo will include industry from auto, bus, technology, engine and component to fuel, as well as government, universities and associations.

Early sponsors include Alternative Fuel Vehicle Solutions, Clean Energy Fuels, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors and the National Biodiesel Board. The conference is supported by alternative fuels industry representatives and the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities program.

Details, registration and sponsor/exhibiting information is available online at www.afvi.org/NationalConference2007.

AFVI is the education provider and information link between the alternative fuels and vehicles industry and public/private fleets. The primary business of the company is to advance the interests of OEMs, fuel providers, and their associated business partners through education, outreach, and deployment. AFVI is fuel and technology neutral.

National Experts Touted Biodiesel at First Lung Associations’ Air Quality, Alt Fuel Forum

Federal government officials and industry representatives joined national health and environmental leaders in learning about the important role biodiesel can play in reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality and human health at the Air Quality and Alternative Transportation Fuel Forum. The September Washington, D.C. event was hosted by The American Lung Association (ALA) of the District of Columbia, ALA of the Upper Midwest and ALA of the Southwest.

Among the experts to address the crowd was Dr. Jonathan M. Samet, Professor and Chair, Department of Epidemiology Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Chairman of the National Academies of Sciences Study on Air Particles and Human Health. “There is a clear correlation between proximity to traffic and negative respiratory and cardiac effects,” Samet told the crowd.

Dr. Robert McCormick, U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory Principal Engineer, spoke to the latest in biodiesel emissions data. He reported that there are insufficient data to say if B20 blends cause NOx, on average, to go up or down, and that no change in NOx seems likely. Another speaker was U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Bill Wehrum. Wehrum discussed proposed regulations for implementing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Other forum speakers included Steve Howell, National Biodiesel Board Technical Director, Edwin Piñero, U.S. Federal Environmental Executive; Bailus Walker, PhD, MPH, Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Howard University and Vice Chairman of Environmental Programs, American Lung Association of DC; Dr. James Duffield, U.S. Department of Agriculture Senior Economist; Lori Stewart, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Director Transportation and Regional Programs Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality; Dennis Smith, U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program Acting Director; Joe Biluck, Medford New Jersey Township Public Schools Director of Operations and Technology; Loren Beard, DaimlerChrysler Corporation Senior Manager Regulatory Affairs; Paul Willits, New Holland Marketing Project Manager; Rolando Andrewn, President & CEO, ALA of the District of Columbia and Angela Tin, Director of Environmental Programs, ALA of the Midwest.

Yellowstone Celebrates More Than a Decade on Biodiesel

As winter approaches, one of the nation’s most prominent cold spots celebrates more than a decade of use of soy biodiesel year-round. Farmer-leaders recently joined U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Park Service and National Biodiesel Board (NBB) officials at the DOE Central Regional Clean Cities Workshop near Jackson, Wyo., to recognize the successful use of soy biodiesel and other biobased products in Yellowstone National Park, as well as Grand Teton and other national parks.

"Yellowstone and Grand Teton Park are perfect examples of well-tested, practical uses for soy biodiesel blends year 'round," said Chuck Myers, United Soybean Board (USB) director and soybean farmer from Lyons, Nebraska. "The successful uses in these parks have yielded valuable information for other diesel users as well."

Since 1990, the soybean checkoff program has sponsored research, development and promotion of soy biodiesel, and Yellowstone represented the first national park to use biodiesel. The park boasts over 300 pieces of machinery operating on soy biodiesel, the centerpieces being the park's well-known yellow buses and a 1995 Dodge pickup. Yellowstone's trademark yellow tour buses have evolved into a high tech, biodiesel-powered riding experience including on-board electronic and communications gear. The pickup has been running on 100 percent biodiesel for more than 10 years and 181,000 miles. This is no small feat, with an elevation of 6,241 ft., the mountainous region surrounding the park experiences a variety of extreme weather throughout the year.

Ernie Oakes, Regional Clean Cities project manager, said that Yellowstone’s biodiesel use demonstrates the goals of Clean Cities well. "With the Clean Cities Program, we are working with community leaders to educate them on how they can implement programs to decrease the use of petroleum in their community," said Oakes. "Biodiesel blends have been a cornerstone of this program, specifically soy-based biodiesel produced in the United States."

Portland Schools and Waste Management Team Up with Biodiesel

For years, Portland, Ore., Public Schools has worked to go light on landfills by recycling and reusing as much as possible. Now it's partnered with its garbage hauler, Waste Management, to transport its recyclables and trash in a more environmentally friendly way -- in a truck that uses biodiesel.

"Vehicle emissions are the single largest contributor to air pollution in Portland," says Adam Winston, Oregon market area general manager for Waste Management. "Using biodiesel is one way Waste Management can show leadership in reducing vehicle emissions and in protecting public health and our environment."

The push to use a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel fuel (B20) came from the district's resource conservation specialist, Nancy Bond.

"We believe this is the first time in the nation a hauler has been approached by a school district about using biodiesel," she says. "By partnering with Waste Management, we are taking a significant step toward cleaner air in Portland. We are very excited about the project and its potential."

Waste Management based in Houston, Texas, is the largest waste hauler in the nation.

Upcoming Events

Contact Us

Amber Thurlo Pearson, Communications Specialist
apearson@biodiesel.org		 Bev Thessen, Information Coordinator
bthessen@biodiesel.org


This bulletin is also available in PDF format online at
http://www.biodiesel.org/news/bulletin/

2003 National Biodiesel Board - www.biodiesel.org