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New NBB Leadership Chosen
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The biodiesel industry chose Minnesota farmer-leader Ed Hegland to chair the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), last month. Hegland is a soybean farmer from Appleton, Minn., and represents the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council.
Other officers elected, during the National Biodiesel Board meeting, to lead the board are:
- Gary Haer, vice chair, Renewable Energy Group, Inc., Ames, Iowa
- Graham Noyes, secretary, Imperium Renewables, Grays Harbor, Wash.
- Ed Ulch, treasurer, Iowa Soybean Association, Solon, Iowa.
Other new or reelected board members are as follows:
- Jim Conway, Griffin Industries (reelected)
- Kris Kappenman, ADM (reelected)
- Darryl Brinkmann, American Soybean Association - immediate past chair (reelected)
- Jeff Trucksess, Green Earth Fuels
- Bob Metz, South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (reelected)
- Jake Stewart, Organic Fuels
- Denny Mauser, Western Iowa Energy
- Greg Anderson, Nebraska Soybean Board (reelected)
- David Womack, Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board (reelected)
- Robert Stobaugh, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board (reelected)
- Chuck Neece, FUMPA
The NBB recognized outgoing chair Darryl Brinkmann and outgoing board members Fred Wellons, Tellurian Biodiesel; Gene Gebolys, World Energy - chairman of the regulatory committee; Jim Boushka, Smithfield BioEnergy; Bill Ayres, Ag BioEnergy; and John Campbell, AGP.
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Biodiesel Draws Bipartisan Presidential Candidates' Focus
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Two events in Iowa during this campaign season demonstrated the bipartisan support for biodiesel in America. Presidential candidates Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) participated in separate biodiesel events hosted by National Biodiesel Board member Renewable Energy Group, Inc (REG) in the same day.
Senator McCain helped kick off REG's new 60,000-square foot headquarters and state-of-the-art laboratory in Ames. He was at its ribbon-cutting ceremony. Senator Clinton toured the Central Iowa Energy, LLC biodiesel production facility in Newton, a community hard hit by the closing of Maytag operations. Currently, two-thirds of employees at the REG network biodiesel plant formerly worked at Maytag in Newton. Central Iowa Energy is a 30-million gallon REG network biodiesel production facility. Clinton is shown here with REG officials.
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Senator Cantwell Honored for Biodiesel Work
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The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) presented Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) with the National Energy Leadership Award for her role in promoting biodiesel development. The award was in recognition of Cantwell’s efforts as a member of both the Senate Finance Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to promote the production and use of biodiesel. Cantwell accepted the award at the fall NBB Board meeting.
"Looking forward, there are many opportunities for the biodiesel industry during this exciting time," Cantwell told members of the biodiesel industry. "Our challenge in Washington, D.C. is going to be how to level the playing field. We need to stop incenting fossil fuels, and level the playing field for new products in the marketplace, such as biodiesel."
Cantwell has been a consistent and dependable advocate for biodiesel in Congress. She has been instrumental in efforts to extend the biodiesel tax incentive that helps biodiesel compete in the marketplace. She has also worked to help create a viable domestic market for biodiesel while protecting the ability of American biodiesel producers to compete in foreign markets. These are vital priorities for the biodiesel industry. Cantwell is shown here with Graham Noyes of Imperium Renewables, which is based in Washington state.
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Central Iowa Energy Earns BQ-9000 Accreditation
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Central Iowa Energy, LLC, has earned BQ-9000 Accreditation from the National Biodiesel Accreditation Committee. Central Iowa Energy is a member of the REG network and is located in Newton, Iowa.
"BQ-9000 Accredited Producer certification distinguishes Central Iowa Energy (CIE) as one of the most respected biodiesel production facilities in the nation," said Central Iowa Energy General Manager, Derek Winkel. "Customers can be confident in knowing that when they work with CIE, they are working with among the very best in the nation."
BQ-9000 is a voluntary quality assurance program that provides confidence that biodiesel produced at the facility will consistently meet the ASTM D6751 specification for biodiesel.
Central Iowa Energy is the fourth REG network plant to receive BQ-9000 Accreditation. REG-owned production in Ralston, Iowa -- as well as REG-managed production at SoyMor in Glenville, Minn., and Western Iowa Energy, L.L.C., in Wall Lake Iowa, -- have also received
BQ-9000 Accreditation.
The plant is a 30 million gallon per year capacity biodiesel production facility, and it utilizes REG’s continuous-flow technology.
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NBB Members Provide Valuable Webinars
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The AllThingsBiodiesel.com Web site, through the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), has teamed up with two more NBB members in offering valuable, free webinars to those in the biodiesel industry. Interested parties can virtually attend webinars on financial services/lending and risk management/insurance for biodiesel companies.
Biodiesel Financial Services, under parent company Vendor Lease Management Group, manages financial services for dozens of companies and will host its presentation on Jan. 24. Huntleigh McGehee, a full-service insurance broker, will present on Jan. 17.
Biodiesel Financial Services, in "Financing Options for Equipment Acquisition," will cover where companies can get financing for things other than construction, with options such as banks, loan companies, shareholders and other innovative ways. It will also discuss types of lease financing available and their different structures. Dean Stolberg, VP, will be the presenter.
Huntleigh McGehee's webinar, "Is Your Investment Insured Properly?," on insurance and risk management will cover various types of coverage, what coverage is right for various business sizes, and more. The presentation will offer information on proper valuation of property, business interruption/extra expense and coinsurance.
To register and for details, visit "Financing Options" and "Investment Insured Properly." Biodiesel Financial Services and Huntleigh McGehee will provide more webinars later as requested.
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Getting the Word Out on Bioheat Fuel
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During the cold season, biodiesel companies involved with Bioheat® fuel, for home heating oil, have the opportunity to purchase Bioheat fuel promotional materials at AllThingsBiodiesel.com starting Dec. 14. Materials include a brochure, various postcards and envelope stuffers, and newspaper advertisements. A dealer letter is also available. Just visit the Biodiesel Store on AllThingsBiodiesel.com.
Also, distributors should take note that the Bioheat fuel logo can help in getting the message out on this blend of biodiesel and home heating oil. It is available for use to any distributor – by the sublicense agreement on the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) Web site. The NBB and NORA teamed up last year to offer the use of the logo and term Bioheat fuel.
Please visit www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/distributors for possible distributors in your area.
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Equipment Makers Expand on Their Biodiesel Blend Allowances
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New Holland last month announced it supports the use of B100 biodiesel in all equipment with New Holland-manufactured diesel engines, including electronic injection engines with common rail technology.
Overall, nearly 80 percent of the tractor and equipment manufacturer's New Holland-branded products with diesel engines are now available to operate on B100 biodiesel.
Also last month, tractor and equipment maker John Deere clarified its position for customers that want to use biodiesel blends up to B20. While B5 is the manufacturer's preferred blend, biodiesel concentrations up to a 20 percent blend (B20) in petroleum diesel fuel can be used in John Deere engines through Tier 3/Stage III A models, including all non-emissions-certified engines.
Biodiesel blends up to B20 can be used only if the biodiesel (100 percent biodiesel or B100) meets ASTM D6751, according to company reports, and if an additive by John Deere is used. John Deere strongly encourages purchasing biodiesel blends from a BQ-9000 marketer and to source from a BQ-9000 designated producer.
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Fields of Fuel to Premiere at 2008 Sundance
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"Fields of Fuel" is a film about how everyday people all over America are taking back the nation - one fuel tank at a time. And thanks to the Sundance Film Festival, this movie on biodiesel will be launched on one important movie screen soon.
The 90 minute HD documentary was created by author and environmental activist Josh Tickell, known for driving the "Veggie Van" across the country in the 1990s, which helped to draw early attention to biodiesel.
Tickell leads celebrities, scientists and world energy experts through places that demonstrate the need to address pollution, as well as address corporate policies as they relate to the environment. The movie will also study other countries' efforts with biofuels, and profiles users and champions of biodiesel.
Later, Tickell's "Community Action Campaign" will hit 50 cities with a cadre of characters from the film and with biofuel-powered vehicles.
Sundance is Jan. 17-27 in Park City, Utah. Fields of Fuel's trailer, donation and sponsorship opportunities and its Action Campaign are online at www.fieldsoffuel.com.
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NBB Reporting Back to You
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The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has been busy! You can see how the members, governing board and staff have been working to develop the industry in the last year, by looking over its annual report.
The NBB recently put out its annual report for 2007, which shows highlights of programs such as Original Equipment Manufacturers, Quality and General public surveys. What is the status of a stand-alone specification for B20 in ASTM? How many biodiesel plants went up in the last year?
Click here for the NBB 2007 Annual Report, for these answers and more.
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Feedstock Development to be One Focus of Nat'l Biodiesel Conf.
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Nothing drives innovation like need. As the biodiesel industry grows, honing a cost-effective and diverse feedstock supply stands out as a top challenge. The National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, Feb. 3-6 in Orlando, will address developments in this area. Alan Weber, economic consultant to National Biodiesel Board, will lead the final general session of the conference, Wednesday's "Biodiesel: The Next Generation."
What innovations in feedstock development appear on the horizon? Many view algae as biodiesel's answer to cellulosic ethanol, but just how close is it? This panel of experts, from both academic and private sector worlds, will discuss algae and several other exciting potential sources for biodiesel as the "next generation" of biodiesel enters the vast frontier. One such panelist will be Jack Brown, a prominent plant scientist at the University of Idaho, with discussion on emerging feedstocks such as camelina.
The conference, as it grows annually, has offered top-notch general sessions and speakers. This year on Monday Joe Jobe, NBB CEO, with Don Reynolds, a long-term trends analyst, will discuss the conference's theme: "Navigating a Changing Landscape." Tuesday Astronaut Jim Lovell will speak on challenges space exploration faced, as biodiesel faces its own challenges. There will be dozens of other educational sessions, in the areas of production, technical, fuel distribution, policy/regulations, markets and users tracks, with auto and engine manufacturer sessions as well; as well as fun networking events like the annual Super Bowl party.
Please call (407) 586-2000 to reserve your room at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. To ensure you receive the discounted rate of $220 single/double, please mention that you are with the "National Biodiesel Conference & Expo 2008." You must make your reservations by January 3 to secure these discounted rates. A one-night room deposit is required. Rooms are based on availability, so make your reservations soon!
Pre-registration ends Jan. 25, after which attendees must register on-site at a higher rate. Visit biodieselconference.org for more.
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Upcoming Events
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