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RFS2 published in Federal Register; NBB hosts trainings
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In March, the final rule for EPA's expanded renewable fuels standard (RFS2) was published in the Federal Register. The publishing triggered a 60-day Congressional review period before the rule is implemented, although EPA has already chosen a July 1 start date. The RFS2 calls for 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022.
In the final rule, biodiesel produced from domestic soybean oil is assumed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 57 percent compared to petroleum diesel, and the rule acknowledges that the GHG reduction could be as high as 85 percent. Thus, biodiesel produced from soybean oil will qualify for the Biomass-based Diesel program, and pathways are provided for biodiesel produced from other vegetable oils to qualify.
"There are significant job creation, energy security and environmental benefits associated with expanded biodiesel use," said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. "We look forward to working with all industry stakeholders to successfully implement this worthwhile program."
To help with that implementation process, NBB is hosting a series of in-depth RFS2 Training Sessions. This training covers:
- RFS2 registration
- RFS2 reporting
- RFS2 recordkeeping
- RFS2 overview of EMTS system and RIN tracking
In addition to a series of webinars, the following workshops have been scheduled:
- April 6: Des Moines, Iowa
- April 9: Houston, Texas
- April 19: Los Angeles, California
- April 21: New York, New York
- April 22: Atlanta, Georgia
The trainings are free for NBB members, and non-members can attend for a fee. To register, contact Lola Helming, (800) 841-5849, lhelming@biodiesel.org.
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Fan of biodiesel? Help save the industry via Facebook
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The failure of Congress to pass the Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit continues to negatively impact the entire biodiesel industry. One of the nation’s leading biodiesel producers, REG Inc., is the latest to idle facilities. The company has started a Facebook fan page to move the message outside of the company, encouraging family and friends to become a “fan” of the “Reinstate the Biodiesel Blenders' Tax Credit” page.
REG has idled its plants in Ralston and Newton, Iowa, and laid off 22 employees, until biodiesel demand returns.
Continued calls and e-mails from biodiesel supporters like you are critical for the reinstatement of the tax credit. The new fan page has an email action plan on the site, which is the most critical step. A similar plan can be found at www.biodiesel.org.
Congress is currently adjourned for the spring district work period and will not return to Washington, D.C. for legislative business until the week of April 12. Once Congress returns, they will be in session until Memorial Day. This time period will provide the next opportunity for Congress to address legislation dealing with expired tax provisions such as the biodiesel tax incentive.
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Biodiesel helps green one of world’s largest sustainable developments
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Reaching high into the Las Vegas skyline is CityCenter, billed as one of the world's largest environmentally sustainable developments. The general contractor for the project, Perini Building Company, relied on biodiesel blends to power heavy construction equipment and crew vehicles. Their focus on environmentally friendly practices resulted in six LEED Gold Certifications for the 67-acre urban development. This is the highest LEED achievement of any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas.
A B20 blend of biodiesel was used in construction equipment such as excavators, front end loaders and dump trucks for excavation and site work that began in 2006. This use of biodiesel resulted in a LEED Innovation Credit for reducing carbon emissions and utilizing local yellow food grease.
CityCenter is a city within a city. It includes a casino, eight hotels, condominiums, numerous retail shops, restaurants, theaters and other entertainment venues. During its peak construction period, more people worked on CityCenter than worked during the peak construction period of the Hoover Dam. The project was developed by MGM MIRAGE.
“MGM MIRAGE’s initiative to build such an unprecedented environmentally sustainable project has changed the Las Vegas construction and hospitality industry,” said Craig Shaw, president and chief executive officer of Perini Building Company. “There is a new level of understanding of the importance of environmentally responsible construction.”
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Michigan cab company goes green with biodiesel
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A Michigan cab company has become one of the first known U.S. cab companies to buy a fleet of diesel cabs…and run them on a biodiesel blend. Steve Walz, vice president of operations at Metro Cab, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., says his company recently purchased seven Volkswagen Jettas specifically to run them on a 10 percent biodiesel blend (B10).
“Grand Rapids is a really green area, so this was a good opportunity to try something green and help the environment,” he said.
Biodiesel is a little more expensive, but Walz says the better mileage of the vehicles more than makes up for it…saving the company money overall.
“I honestly don’t know why more taxi cabs aren’t diesel; that’s one of the reasons we wanted to give it a try,” Walz said. “So far our customers like it, and the drivers like it. The vehicles maneuver very well and can go more than 500 miles on one tank of fuel.”
The move to biodiesel was praised by the Grand Rapids Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, where Metro Cab has an exclusive right to stage its vehicles.
Having taxi cabs fueled by biodiesel could help draw more green-minded visitors to the area, according to the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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Method takes “Greening” on the road with Biodiesel
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Method Products, Inc. is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to going green. Like the environmentally friendly cleaning products they manufacture, the company is working to make sure everything they do is as green as possible. Using biodiesel blends to fuel delivery trucks and trailers at two of its four distribution centers is part of that strategy.
According to Jason Bowman, director of sourcing & logistics for Method Products, Inc., the company is moving towards becoming a completely carbon-neutral business.
“We reduce our carbon footprint wherever we can, from shipping products in trucks running on biodiesel to offsetting all carbon emissions from our manufacturing, travel and office use,” said Bowman. “Method is about more than cleaning up your home and your body; it's about cleaning up the way we clean.”
Method’s California distribution center services 50-60 percent of its western U.S. customer base. The company is currently using a B20 blend at that location and is in the process of moving to B50. In addition, a Method trailer decked out with a biodiesel logo is making the rounds on weekends to California Lowes stores where it is promoting Method products as well as biodiesel fuel.
In New Jersey, where Method has a dedicated biodiesel fuel tank, the company is using a B20 blend made from waste oil in their dedicated fleet. These vehicles service 80 percent of Method’s Northeast shipments. The company hopes to introduce waste oil or algae biodiesel blends at a third distribution center in Chicago in the near future.
For more information visit www.methodhome.com.
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Biodiesel Industry Guide a service to the industry
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The National Biodiesel Board is pleased to announce that we have recently launched the NBB Biodiesel Industry Guide. The guide is an online vendor search designed specifically for the biodiesel industry.
NBB partnered with MultiView, Inc., an Irving, Texas, publisher of Digital Buyer's Guides and E-News Briefs to launch the online vendor search site that allows biodiesel industry professionals to conveniently perform targeted searches for industry-related products and services.
Unlike traditional search engine results that can generate numerous irrelevant results, the Biodiesel Industry Guide is filled with industry-specific suppliers and service providers. It was designed to be a resource to NBB members so that important biodiesel industry information can be found fast.
"The Biodiesel Industry Guide will ultimately hold the answers and connections to address any biodiesel-related opportunity or challenge imaginable," said Doug Whitehead, NBB director of operations.
The resources your business utilizes can be the key to success within the industry and NBB wants to make it easier for biodiesel organizations to do business with each other.
Why not try it for yourself? Start your search at the NBB homepage, and click on the link for The Biodiesel Industry Guide, or go directly to the guide at http://thebiodieselindustryguide.com.
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Biodiesel to power generators at Earth Day celebration
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April 22, 2010 will mark a major milestone in our nation’s journey toward environmental protection -- the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Biodiesel blends will power the two generators being used in the week-long series of events held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Organized by the Earth Day Network, activities will include musical performances; speeches by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Members of Congress and others; an Eco Village and much more.
“Not only does biodiesel reduce emissions, it adds green jobs to the economy, reduces dependence on foreign oil and enhances the economic sustainability of our food production infrastructure,” said National Biodiesel Board Director of Sustainability Don Scott. "All of these attributes make biodiesel the ultimate clean fuel and a smart choice for Earth Day and beyond."
Biodiesel’s environmental benefits are far-reaching. It has the best energy balance and the best greenhouse gas reduction of any domestically produced fuel currently in the commercial marketplace. Biodiesel has a 78 percent life cycle carbon dioxide reduction, according to the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy. The use of biodiesel also substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. In 2009 alone, biodiesel's contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions was the equivalent of removing 700,000 passenger vehicles from America's roadways.
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Iowa session ends without vote on biodiesel bill
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The Iowa State Legislature adjourned this week without taking action on a bill that would have ensured that Iowa’s diesel supply contain at least 5 percent biodiesel (B5). According to the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB), as a result, Iowans will miss out on an opportunity to create green jobs, lessen the state’s dependence on foreign oil, and position Iowa as a major player in meeting federal goals for renewable fuels.
"Of course we are disappointed that the Iowa House of Representatives did not take a vote on the B5 bill, but at the same time we are grateful to the many legislators who took a stand for biodiesel in the face of powerful opposition," said Randy Olson, IBB executive director.
The bill passed the State Senate last year with bipartisan support, despite opposition from the Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Stores of Iowa and the Iowa Motor Truck Association.
“We were also encouraged to learn from a survey that a majority of Iowa voters said they supported this legislation, and that nearly 4 out of 5 said they would use biodiesel if given the chance,” Olson said. “We will shift our focus now to other efforts that have the potential to move biodiesel in the state, such as educating petroleum marketers about programs in place that they can take advantage of by selling biodiesel.”
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