The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) added two more organizations last month, welcoming commodity merchandising company WWS Trading, and biodiesel equipment manufacturer All Line Equipment. “NBB’s primary goal has always been to advance the biodiesel industry, and one of the many ways we achieve that is by connecting our members to one another,” said Brad Shimmens, Director of Operations and Membership. …
Iowa Producer Revives California Plant for Low-Carbon Biodiesel
An Iowa biodiesel producer recently celebrated the re-opening of a shuttered California plant to manufacture a cleaner-burning biofuel that will help meet California’s low carbon fuel demands. Western Iowa Energy (WIE) in Wall Lake recently purchased Agron Bioenergy, a biodiesel production facility in Watsonville, California that was idled in 2016. This marks the first time WIE has expanded its operations …
Biodiesel No Problem in RFS Talks
Of those Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) stakeholders at last week’s White House meeting, only Renewable Energy Group, Inc. President and CEO Randy Howard walked out feeling like his industry was safe. Howard, who joined other top biofuel company executives who met with the President, Vice President Pence, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, and some petroleum refiners to discuss the RFS, says …
B20 Biodiesel Use Translates to $1.2M Health Cost Savings
Illinois communities that routinely use B20 biodiesel fuel in diesel vehicles receive an estimated $1.2 million in health cost savings, according to data submitted by 15 members of the B20 Club, a partnership between the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff program and the American Lung Association in Illinois (ALAIL). B20 Club members include Illinois-based municipalities, trucking companies, fuel suppliers and …
Biodiesel Wins Antidumping Decision
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Fair Trade Coalition has won a final antidumping determination from the Commerce Department that biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia are sold into the United States below fair value, and the cash deposit requirements on imports from these countries will be updated. “Today’s decision provides room for the domestic biodiesel industry to flourish and produce …
New Biodiesel Foundation Scholarship Honors Calabotta
The National Biodiesel Foundation‘s new Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant offers up to $2,000 to full-time students who are interested in science, research and biodiesel sustainability. Calabotta was director of Monsanto’s Bioenergy Development Program, and served on the biodiesel foundation board from 2007-2015. She passed away last March. “Beth was an advocate for student development and a supporter of biofuel …
Biodiesel Love in the Air at Iowa’s Capitol
Members and supporters of the Iowa Biodiesel Board wore “I heart biodiesel” pins as they met with state legislators and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on Wednesday for the annual Biodiesel Day on the Hill. The group tied the message of how much biodiesel gives back to Iowa to the Valentine’s Day date of their visit. “We love that Iowa is …
ICYMI: National Biodiesel Conference
The National Biodiesel Conference & Expo was held at the Fort Worth Convention Center January 22-24. The event included a vehicle showcase and ride-and-drive opportunity alongside demonstrations and presentations on the latest in the industry. This conference also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the National Biodiesel Board. Among the highlights was an award to USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky for …
Partial Win for Biodiesel in Budget Deal
Grateful but disappointed is how the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) describes the industry feeling after the two-year budget deal passed by Congress last week included a retroactive extension of the biodiesel tax credit for 2017, but not 2018. “The industry is grateful to our champions for their tireless efforts to ensure that all of our members’ transactions in 2017 will …
Manito Transit Acquires Lobdell Transportation
Manito Transit of Bloomington, Illinois has acquired the assets of Lobdell Transportation, Inc., a family-owned trucking company based in Lena, Illinois. The acquisition comes with 21 tractor units, 22 fuel tankers, and eight pressure vessels capable of hauling propane and anhydrous ammonia, as well as a two-bay maintenance shop. Manito Transit now operates 120 trucks, serving customers in 13 states. …