Back in 1993, biodiesel was just an idea. But thanks to the efforts of pioneers like Doug Pickering, Kenlon Johannes, and Bill Ayers, it has become the industry it is today. Doug and Bill built the first facility to produce biodiesel – two 55 gallon drums on stands with a sump pump and a garden hose. Kenlon, who was with …
Biofuels Panel Discusses Future
The final panel at the National Biodiesel Conference last week tackled the topic of the next 25 years for biodiesel with representatives from other biofuels industry organizations. The panel was moderated by Gary Haer of REG and featured Growth Energy Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley; Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Biofuels Business Council; and Advanced Biofuels …
ICYMI: Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit Replay
The 2018 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit featured an exciting speaker line-up of high-level biofuels industry experts to discuss a “Brighter Future with Biofuels.” The one-day event on January 30 at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center brought together 65 sponsors and vendors and over 800 attendees. If you, like me, were unable to attend the summit because of all the other …
New Report Highlights Biodiesel Sustainability
A new study on biodiesel’s lifecycle energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission effects updates and reaffirms the long-understood benefits of using the renewable fuel. Results confirm that biodiesel compared to petroleum diesel reduces GHG emissions by 72 percent and fossil fuel use by 80 percent. The study, which was released as the National Biodiesel Conference kicked off last week, is …
RFA Cites Small Refiner Exemption Concerns
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen sent a letter last week to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt expressing concern about a troubling “lack of transparency” in EPA’s management of the Renewable Fuel Standard’s (RFS) small refinery exemption provisions that could “destabilize the market for renewable fuels and undermine Congress’s goals for the RFS program.” EPA has the ability …
Driving Ethanol Policy Priorities
As attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) have gotten more creative, the need for all segments of the industry to work together has become critical to maintaining the law as Congress intended. We met up Growth Energy Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley for this episode of the Driving Ethanol podcast after he appeared on a panel at …
ZimmCast 572 – Biodiesel and More
This week has been about all things biodiesel in Ft. Worth at the National Biodiesel Conference. It marks the 13th year we have produced the biodiesel conference blog and the 25th anniversary of the National Biodiesel Board, so our ZimmCast this week celebrates all things biodiesel. We start with an interview on biodiesel with Willie Nelson in 2006, and also …
Censky Receives Biodiesel Pioneer Award
USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky was presented with the Eye on Biodiesel Pioneer award at the 2018 National Biodiesel Conference Wednesday. As the long-time CEO of the American Soybean Association, Censky was instrumental in the growth and advancement of biodiesel over the years. ASA’s primary focus as an organization is policy development and implementation of soybean farmer issues, including biodiesel. …
Eye on Biodiesel Initiative Award
This year’s Eye on Biodiesel Initiative award was presented to HERO BX founder Samuel P. “Pat” Black, III. With a vision to help revitalize Erie, Pennsylvania with a return to a booming manufacturing sector, Black founded Lake Erie Biofuels dba HERO BX in 2005. HERO BX is the largest biodiesel plant in the Northeastern United States, and they operate a …
Eye on Biodiesel Impact Award
Minnesota has been a leader in the biodiesel industry for decades and Mike Youngerberg has been working since 1986 to advance soybean industry priorities as a member of the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association staff. Mike’s dedication earned him the Eye on Biodiesel Impact award this year. Mike currently serves as the Executive …