The CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, Joe Jobe, was on stage to welcome a standing room only crowd at the opening general session to the Conference. He opened up with a political theme to his remarks.
As the folks in the opening video stated very clearly, this last year has been a huge struggle for our industry. With the economic recession, volatile diesel prices, the credit crisis, the blocking of export markets, the delayed implementation of the RFS-2…., even with the tax credit in place, 2009 was really tough. I heard several NBB members say over the course of this year…. “well, the bright side is that it can’t get any worse”. I’ve learned its best not to say that. Because we’ve seen over last 39 days that it could get worse while we have had neither the RFS-2 nor the tax credit in place. The industry has shut down, businesses are going under, jobs are being lost. Its been like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Our top priority remains getting the tax credit reinstated retroactively as quickly as possible.
Joe says that implementation of the new RFS-2 is going to be very complex so three of the sessions coming up will focus on the subject. He also went on to look ahead on a positive note.
But the good news is that when we get this tax credit turned back on, we will be where we set out to be four years ago. Now is not the time to waiver, or turn back, or to run. Let’s stay together and get this done. Let’s get this industry back in business. We can do this!
Besides potentially doubling our production levels for biodiesel this calendar year, the RFS-2 does something else that is very important. It establishes very conclusively under EPA guidelines and federal law, that biodiesel is an advanced biofuel, because it meets the criteria and definition of advanced biofuel under the law. And the reality behind that is that biodiesel is currently the only advanced biofuel that is commercially available nationwide.
You can listen to Joe’s speech below.
Ethanol Plants Can Be Biorefineries
The Next Generation Bio-Based Chemicals Summit is taking place in San Diego this week and Poet’s Vice President of Commercial Development, Scott Wishaar, will be discussing how new ethanol co-products can help ethanol plants become true biorefineries.
Photo Credit: Poet
Wishaar is participating in the panel discussion, “Perspectives of Biorefinery Owners and Development on the Bio-Based Chemicals Value Chain” taking place on Wednesday, February 10th.
According to Poet, co-products such as Inviz zein, open many new markets for producers today. Inviz is a biodegradable, low-nutrient protein found in corn and can be used as a gum base or in films, packaging, adhesives, coatings and glazes. Inviz zein is extracted using a patent-pending process developed by POET.
The company is also researching other co-products to further expand the value of corn and anticipates that bio-based chemicals and related products will likely emerge as viable co-products as part of the production process of Project LIBERTY. Poet is is using corn cobs to create cellulosic ethanol as part of this pilot project.
Direct Fuels Biodiesel
The media was treated to a biodiesel plant tour today at Direct Fuels Biodiesel in Euless, TX. It was a very comprehensive tour that included the facilities and learning about their process and even how they test for quality. Jacob McClernon, Quality Assurance Specialist showed us their cold soak filtration test.
We also heard from Mark Farrer, Director Biodiesel Operations. He gave us a very thorough description of their process and I recorded a portion of it for you to listen to. There are photos from the tour in our photo album which you can access from the link below.
You can listen to Mark’s comments below.
Irvine, TX Fleet Goes Green
If you want to talk to a cheerleader for biodiesel then you need to meet Ramiro Lopez, Direct of Intergovernmental Services, Irvine, TX. He’s in charge of fleets and fuels and he was our guide today when we went to the media ride and drive and biodiesel plant tour.
Ramiro says that in Irvine he’s implemented a program to utilize biodiesel in their equipment. He is very big on tank maintenance and quality. He says it has allowed them to green their fleet overnight and save some money in the process.
You can listen to my interview with Ramiro below.
AAA Poll on E15
AAA has already made up its mind about increasing amount of ethanol allowed in gasoline to 15 percent, but they want to know what you think.
The headline for an article posted by the automotive organization last week reads “Bailout Blend: Bad for Your Engine?” and proceeds to bash ethanol as being bad for consumers.
“How would you feel about a fuel additive that could cost you more money and screw up your engine? If the ethanol industry has its way, that’s just what you might get,” they begin, calling an increase to E15 “a bailout for the ethanol industry that may come at the expense of drivers.”
At the end of the one-sided article, AAA asks for your opinion. “Do you think adding E15 to the nation’s fuel supply is a good idea? Log onto AAA.com/Poll and take our poll.” Not surprisingly, the poll is running two to one against E15. Maybe it’s because the article doesn’t say anything about the EPA findings that ethanol is better than conventional gasoline when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, reducing them by at least 20 percent. AAA says, “Producing ethanol is an energy-intensive process that still results in greenhouse-gas emissions. It won’t save the planet as it still produces pollutants.” It may not save the planet, but it can help cut greenhouse gas emissions by cutting at least some of our gasoline use.
As far as engine issues and mileage concerns, Brazil runs up to 25% ethanol in its cars with no problems, and they consider energy independence to be more important than a few less miles to the gallon.
*post update*
If the link to the poll in the post doesn’t work, try the link in the AAA article. Apparently after you vote, you can’t go back to that link at all, so I can’t get the poll link to add to this post.
Riding On B20
During today’s media ride and drive event I got to ride in a new Chevy truck that was fueled with B20 from Classic Clean Fuels. My driver was National Biodiesel Board Vice Chairman Gary Haer, Renewable Energy Group. Also along for the ride was Senior Communications Adviser for NBB, Jenna Higgins Rose. So ride along with us and hear about what’s new from GM in the future.
Ford’s B20 Truck Badge
It has been a busy day here at the start of the National Biodiesel Conference. After getting these posts done I’ll be heading over to the Super Bowl Reception but should have more up later this evening and tomorrow morning.
Another vehicle manufacturer was on hand this morning at our Classic Clean Fuels media event. Ford was represented by Brien Fulton.
He was showing off the new badge they’re putting on 2011 model Super Duty pickups. This is what it looks like. Very classy, eh? Brien says the engines in these trucks will be fully capable of running on B20.
You can download (mp3 file) or listen to Brien’s announcement here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nbb/nbc-10-ford-announce.mp3]
You can also download (mp3 file) or listen to a short interview I did with Brien here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nbb/nbc-10-fulton.mp3]
B20 Compliant Vehicles Announced by GM
The media got to hear from Craig Eppling, Regional Communications Manager for GM this morning. He spoke at the ride and drive event which took place at Classic Clean Fuels in Grapevine. It was a brisk morning but we got through the program before some sprinkles hit the area. Afterward we toured Direct Fuels biodiesel plant and I’ll have more on that later.
Craig announced that 2011 models of their heavy duty trucks and cargo vans will be B20 compliant.
They’ll be displayed first at an upcoming auto show.
You can download (mp3 file) or listen to Craig’s announcement here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nbb/nbc-10-gm-announce.mp3]
You can also download (mp3 file) or listen to a short interview I did with Craig here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nbb/nbc-10-eppling.mp3]
Biodiesel Conference Opening Day
Hello from Grapevine, TX at the start opening day of the 2010 Conference. This morning members of the media (including yours truly) will partake in a ride and drive to see this year’s line-up of new 2010 and 2011 clean diesel vehicles powered by biodiesel blends. We’ll be doing that at Classic Clean Fuels, a nearby fueling station selling alternative fuels.
Then we’ll be off to a tour of Direct Fuels Biodiesel Plant. I’ll be taking photos and doing interviews to post here for you as soon as I can. I’ll also be posting onto the National Biodiesel Conference Blog for the 5th year. That will be my main posting location but I’ll be including stories for you here as well.
This afternoon we’ll be partying Super Bowl/Biodiesel style so go team (insert your favorite).
CA Not to Receive Funds for E85
Pearson Fuels will not be receiving funding that they were awarded late last year. As first reported in the L.A. Times, the Southern California Association of Governments turned down the funding in which they applied, because they believe that corn-based ethanol causes more harm than good for the environment after being transported from the midwest. Also, the grant process was reportedly not followed correctly.
“We’re saying no to money from Washington,” said Thomas Buckley, a Lake Elsinore representative. “It probably doesn’t happen too often.”
Paul Wuebben, a clean fuels officer for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, urged the council to accept the dollars. Ethanol is not perfect, he said, but its wider use would reduce dependence on gasoline and remove pollutants from the air. He also called the panel’s decision a “major lost opportunity for the region.”
Wuebben attempted to sway the panel to reconsider along with Mike Lewis with Pearson Fuels, “It would have created 221 jobs. Dependence on foreign oil is the result of 1,000 little decisions and a few big decisions. This was a big decision.”
“We agree to reduce dependence on foreign oil,” said Keith Millhouse, a Moorpark representative and chairman of the Metrolink governing board. “This methodology, while well intended, is a bad way to go.”