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Two States Sign Biofuels Requirement Bills
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In July, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell signed into law the Biofuel Development and In-State Production Incentive Act. The legislation includes the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program, which provides a 75 cent per gallon production incentive for Pennsylvania's in-state biodiesel producers, capped at $5.3 million per year for three years. It also includes a requirement of 2 percent biodiesel blended into all diesel sold in Pennsylvania, increasing to 20 percent after reaching 400 million gallons per year of biodiesel produced in-state. The Pennsylvania Biodiesel Producers Group (PABPG) was instrumental in establishing these producer incentives.
Also in July, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed the Clean Energy Biofuels Act legislation, encouraging the growth of an advanced biofuels industry in Massachusetts. The legislation requires biofuel content in all the diesel and home heating fuel sold in the state, and proposes a new fuel standard for the region that will encourage a range of emissions-reducing technologies for cars and trucks. The minimum percentage of biofuel as a component of all diesel fuel and home heating fuel sold in the Commonwealth, starts at 2 percent in 2010 and ramps up to 5 percent by 2013. Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to require biofuel in home heating fuel.
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NBB Responds to EPA’s Delay of RFS Waiver Request Decision
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In July, the EPA announced a delay in responding to Texas Governor Rick Perry's RFS waiver request, which seeks a 50 percent reduction in the federal renewable fuels standard (RFS) for ethanol. In his request, Perry cited high feed costs for livestock driving up costs for Texas ranchers. However, in a June article, Perry acknowledged that alternative fuels such as biodiesel play in an important role in "diversifying not only our energy portfolio, but our economic landscape."
After learning of the EPA's delay, the NBB responded, "If the RFS is waived or cut in half in 2008, then the growth of all biofuels, including 'advanced biofuels' such as biodiesel, will be severely hindered... Unfortunately, the goal of bringing biofuels, jobs and energy independence to Texas and the nation, which Gov. Perry praised, will not be realized if the RFS is waived." The NBB will continue to work with the EPA and others towards a solution.
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NBB Responds to World Bank “Report” and so-called “Gallagher Review”
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In July, two misguided reports came out that garnered a lot of media attention. The first was in response to an article in the Guardian, reporting on what they claimed was a "secret" World Bank report blaming biofuels for a 75 percent increase in food prices. It turned out that the report in question was nothing more than a working document meant to contribute to a World Bank position paper on food prices that was released in April.
Also in July, a U.K. report, dubbed the "Gallagher Review" recommended reducing U.K. biofuels targets because of increased food prices. In response, NBB released a statement saying in part, "...research done by U.S. experts and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has shown that biofuels-related feedstock demand has limited impact on global food supply and pricing."
NBB responses to both reports were picked up in Letters to the Editor and comment sections in many online and print publications. The NBB will continue to refute bogus, outlandish claims with facts and figures obtained through thorough research on the part of reputable organizations, such as the DOE, the National Renewable Energy Lab and the USDA.
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New Resources Promoting Biodiesel’s Sustainability
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The National Biodiesel Board has a new resource in its arsenal to promote greener, economy-building biodiesel - a brochure created by NBB called "Biodiesel - A Sustainable Choice." Printed with soy ink on 100 percent recycled paper from sustainable forests, it encapsulates biodiesel's environmental and food chain attributes, as well as benefits such as green jobs for the economy. The brochure also defines ways in which biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than three-quarters, helping to fight global warming. View the brochure here.
The American Soybean Association (ASA) also released its new "Myths and Realities Behind Rising Food Prices" brochure. The brochure highlights the facts about the relationship between biodiesel and the consumption and availability of soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil; the environmental and health benefits of biodiesel; and the roles of biodiesel and biotechnology on U.S. soybean supplies. You can view the brochure here.
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NBB Sustainability Task Force Expands Reach
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In an effort to include more diverse stakeholders in addressing sustainability issues, the NBB Sustainability Task Force (STF) is developing two initiatives. The STF is forming an advisory committee of representatives from groups that also address or are impacted by sustainability issues, including non-profit organizations, government groups, think-tanks and academia. These groups can provide valuable feedback on sustainability communications and public opinion.
A second initiative opens up the lines of communications via an online forum on AllThingsBiodiesel.com. The forum will be accessible and interactive, so individuals outside of the task force can play a larger role in shaping NBB’s sustainability measures.
"In essence, sustainability is really about looking at the whole picture over the long term," said Emily Bockian Landsburg, STF chair and CEO, Philadelphia Fry-O-Diesel. "The objective of these initiatives is to bring a wider audience together to collaborate on these issues."
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NBB Moving to New Offices
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Later this month, the National Biodiesel Board staff moves to a new headquarters office location in Jefferson City, Mo. The newly renovated building provides needed space for the team of 17 full-time staff, and storage for The Biodiesel Store. The new building houses innovative technology that will allow NBB to host meetings, webinars and video conferences from the office, reducing the need for travel. It also makes use of energy efficient technology including solar-powered parking lot lights.
The new address is:
605 Clark Avenue
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101.
The PO Box mailing address, phone numbers and Web site remain the same.
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NBB Develops Technical Staff
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The National Biodiesel Board is pleased to announce that Jordan Thaeler has joined the NBB staff as the Technical Project Manager. Thaeler will be assuming a project manager role and working extensively in the technical program with Steve Howell, NBB’s Technical Director. One area in which he will be heavily involved is fuel quality enforcement.
“Biodiesel is part of the growing renewable fuels arena, which I look forward to being a part of,” said Thaeler. “My educational background lends itself to the various aspects of this position and I’m excited to use those skills to help continue to grow the industry.”
He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with degrees in biological engineering and financial management, and has a minor in accounting. Thaeler is moving to Jefferson City, Mo., where NBB’s headquarters office is located.
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AllThingsBiodiesel.com Gets New Look, Feature
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AllThingsBiodiesel.com has a new look and a new social networking section called "The Exchange." The Exchange provides visitors with the opportunity to post a blog, join a forum or join a group discussion on the biodiesel industry. AllThingsBiodiesel.com also includes a biodiesel directory, classifieds, and The Biodiesel Store. Check it out: http://exchange.allthingsbiodiesel.com.
In addition, NBB's AllThingsBiodiesel sponsors webinars, normally free to all biodiesel stakeholders. NBB members have the ability to partner with AllThingsBiodiesel.com on this webinar series. The series provides industry partners an opportunity to present their products and services to virtual attendees through an on-line meeting forum. For more information about the webinar series, advertising or any other services available on AllThingsBidiesel.com, contact Doug Whitehead at dwhitehead@biodiesel.org.
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Radio Spots Promote BioTrucker Fuel Card, In-network Truck Stops
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Eighty new biodiesel truck stops have been added to the BioTrucker Fuel Card network for a total of 229. The BioTrucker Fuel Card, introduced in March, highlights the availability of biodiesel with no transaction fee on a network of truck stops that sell biodiesel and several that offer discounts on biodiesel.
Radio spots promoting the BioTrucker Fuel Card continue to air on the Midnight Trucking Radio Network, XM Radio channel 171 and AM stations across the country. In addition, Illinois Soybean Association just finished a run of a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about American-Grown Performance. Currently, Iowa Soybean Association’s PSA is running, covering health benefits and energy independence. With 231 ten-second ads and 150 thirty-second PSAs, the NBB and state soybean associations are getting the message across about biodiesel quality and energy independence, while promoting BioTrucker Fuel Card in-network truck stops.
Currently, 800 truck accessible stops that carry biodiesel are listed and mapped on www.biotrucker.com.
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Don’t Forget about Biodiesel Educational Opportunities
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These upcoming webinars hosted by AllThingsBiodiesel.com are free and open to all:
Member-partner: Biodiesel Financial Services
"Financing Options for Equipment Acquisition"
Presenter: Dean Stolberg
Tuesday, Sept. 11; 2 p.m. CST
To register for this session, go to:
www1.gotomeeting.com/register/708913281
Member-partner: Huntleigh McGehee
"Executive Risk Insurance"
Presenter: Danny Stevens
Tuesday, Oct. 14; 2 p.m. CST
To register for this session, go to:
www1.gotomeeting.com/register/440319641
The webinar series is a program sponsored by the National Biodiesel Board and AllThingsBiodiesel.com.
BQ-9000 Internal Auditor Training
To continue the positive momentum of increasing in-spec fuel in the marketplace, the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission has been holding seminars for companies interested in becoming a BQ-9000 producer or marketer. The remaining 2008 workshop, "BQ-9000 Internal Auditor Training," will be held Nov. 19 in Indianapolis. Visit www.bq-9000.org for fees and information.
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Upcoming Events
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USDA AGRIBUSINESS TRADE AND INVESTMENT MISSION TO CENTRAL AMERICA
USDA is sponsoring a Regional Agribusiness Trade and Investment Mission to Central America, scheduled for September 22 – 26, 2008, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The Regional Mission will be lead by Secretary Schafer or a designee and include six countries in the Central American corridor: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
darrell.upshaw@fas.gov
14th Annual OPIS Fleet Fueling Conf & Exhibition
OPIS
September 21-23, 2008
Hyatt Regency
Atlanta, Georgia
www.opisnet.com/fleetfueling/agenda.html
National Biodiesel Board meeting
Nov. 17-20, 2008
St. Louis, MO
members.biodiesel.org
National Biodiesel Conference & Expo
National Biodiesel Board
Feb. 1-4, 2009
San Francisco, CA
www.biodieselconference.org
Please visit "biodiesel events" on biodiesel.org for more.
The Biodiesel Family of Web Sites
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