Biodiesel Conference Blog

The National Biodiesel Conference trade show is in full swing. This evening we had a networking reception in the Expo Hall sponsored by SGS North America.

Here are our sponsor all in smiles at their booth.

The trade show provides a great opportunity to visit with companies and service providers for the industry. There is a central “networking” area set up with chairs and couches to help facilitate comfortable discussions.

I’m going to try to get some interviews with our exhibitors tomorrow after the morning general session and post for you here.

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

The Chairman of the National Biodiesel Board is Ed Heglund, seen here as a guest on today’s AgriTalk show.

Ed says that attendance was something they were very concerned about here at the Conference due to the state of the industry and the weather but they had to bring in 100 extra chairs to the opening general session so he thinks attendance is better than expected. He’s optimistic for the future because of the EPA RFS-2 ruling and the expectation that the biodiesel fuel credit will be re-instated soon.

You can download (mp3 file) or listen to my interview with Ed here:

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Our sponsor for the National Biodiesel Conference Blog is New Holland. Unfortunately, Gene Hemphill, New Holland, was not able to join us here due to the weather problems on the east coast.

However, he did participate in today’s AgriTalk program which was conducted live in the media room here at the Conference. Pictured is AgriTalk host Mike Adams who spoke with Gene live via phone on the radio show.

In the segment of the show you can hear Gene talk about the relationship between New Holland and biodiesel. It has been a strong one for over two decades. He says they’re putting their efforts into promoting their support of biodiesel in shows like the National Farm Machinery Show which will take place later this week in Louisville, KY.

You can download (mp3 file) or listen to the New Holland segment of today’s AgriTalk here:

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Economist Don Reynolds was the keynote speaker at the opening general session. He appeared on stage two years ago and predicted the problems in our economy. Today he started out on a very optimistic note in part due to his belief that we’ll continue to see a growing recovery of the economy. His comments were meant to help participants define what is the “new normal” in today’s business environment.

You will enjoy his entertaining style filled with facts and figures that help you better understand what the future may look like. He thinks it’s looking very good.

You can download (mp3 file) or listen to Don’s speech here:

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

At the opening session of the Conference we had a Texas Hold ‘Em session. The session was moderated by Jess Hewitt, Gulf Hydrocarbon. Other participants included Martin Beirne, Green Earth Fuels of Houston, Mark Farrer, Direct Fuels, Michael Nasi, Jackson Walker L.L.P. and Jonathon Phillips, RBF.

They had a very informal discussion about the “high stakes in the biodiesel business.”

You can download (mp3 file) or listen to the session here:

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

We heard again this morning about GM’s announcement to have all their heavy duty trucks and cargo vans B20 compliant in 2011.

On hand to make the announcement was Coleman Jones, Biofuel Implementation Manager, GM. He says the new vehicles will be in the marketplace later this year. They’ll be on display at the upcoming auto show in Chicago but he says some of them are on display here. I’ll try to have some photos of them added to the photo album later.

You can download (mp3 file) or listen to Coleman’s remarks here:

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

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 it’s best not to say that.  Because we’ve seen over the 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 download (mp3 file) or listen to Joe’s speech here:

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

The Clean Cities Coordinator for Dallas-Ft. Worth is Mindy Mize. She was on hand to greet the media yesterday.

Mindy says they’re responsible for planning for 16 counties. She says biodiesel is one of their tools that helps them improve air quality. There were several other Clean Cities Coordinators with us as well.

You can download (mp3 file) or listen Mindy’s comments here:

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

The opening day of the National Biodiesel Conference ended with the traditional Super Bowl party.

Here are attendees standing for the National Anthem before the game. No matter which team you rooted for they were all on team biodiesel! This reception is a great networking opportunity and I can tell you everyone was having fun.

Now it’s on to education and discussing the issues as we get into the meat of the program.

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

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 download (mp3 file) or listen to my interview with Ramiro here:

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album