The mood was optimistic during Advance: 2011 Biodiesel Conference & Expo last week. Why? Because all signs are pointing to the industry growing by leaps and bounds this year. I spoke with Donald Nelson, Director, National Sales with REG (Renewable Energy Group), the largest biodiesel company in the U.S. about RINS and how, if at all, they can signal positive …
Hangin’ With Some Next Gen Biodiesel Scientists
During the National Biodiesel Board Conference (NBB) last week, I had the opportunity to hang out with some “Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel“. There were 10 in attendance at this year’s conference and the two that I spent time with were Evan Le, a senior studying mechanical engineering at the University of Nevada and Lucas Ellis, in a graduate Biochemical …
Growth Energy Responds to Ethanol Attacks
Once again, ethanol is being attacked by the national media for causing food shortages. In a Washington Post editorial today, long-time ethanol opponent Tim Searchinger writes about “How biofuels contribute to the food crisis.” While admitting the “2008 food crisis” resulted from a number of causes, Searchinger said, “We should recognize the ways in which biofuels are driving it.” In …
Ethanol Report on World Supply Demand Estimates
The February USDA World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report out today includes some revisions in grain use numbers. This edition of the Ethanol Report podcast with Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Research Geoff Cooper takes a look at those numbers and provides some perspective from the ethanol industry standpoint. For U.S. corn supplies, USDA lowered its forecast …
National Biodiesel Conference Wraps Up
The 2011 National Biodiesel Conference has been a scene of optimism for the industry. To wrap things up I spoke with Donnell Rehagen, COO, National Biodiesel Board. He says that we had approximately 1,100 in attendance and it looked like business was getting done. Yesterday NBB held its annual membership meeting and approved projects and a plan that will begin …
New Holland Still Showing Strong Support For Biodiesel
Why is there a New Holland Boomer 8N photo on here when talking about the National Biodiesel Conference? Because the company is once again a conference sponsor of the media room I’ve been working out of and the Biodiesel Conference Blog that ZimmComm New Media is helping manage for the 6th year! I want to say a big thanks to …
Positive Legislative Outlook For Biodiesel
During the last general session of the National Biodiesel Conference we got the legislative outlook from Manning Feraci, Vice President for Federal Affairs for the National Biodiesel Board. He talked about advancing to the next level of effectiveness in the capitol halls of America. You can find some current resources regarding legislative issues on the NBB website: * Renewable Fuel …
Annual Eye on Biodiesel Award Winners
The “Eye on Biodiesel” Awards were presented today during our last general session at the conference. I’m going to list them with their comments from the stage starting with the Inspiration Award. Accepting was Nick Portonova. Inspiration: Deer Valley Unified School District. This Arizona school district began its biodiesel program in 1999, long before the fuel was a known quantity. …
Biodiesel Conference Panel On Government Policy
During the second general session at the National Biodiesel Conference we heard about the role of government policy in advancing biodiesel from a panel of experts. Participating on the panel were moderator Shelby Neal – National Biodiesel Board; Eric Bowen – Renewable Energy Group Inc./California Biodiesel Alliance Chairman; Ed Hegland – Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council/NBB Past Chairman; Steven …
NBB Chairman Very Upbeat
This morning the Chairman of the National Biodiesel Board, Gary Haer, REG, took to the stage. I spoke with him before the general session started and he says that everyone is upbeat here at the conference and excited about the prospects in 2011. He says the RFS provides a demand that biodiesel will fill as the only advanced biofuel. He …