Biodiesel Conference Blog

To wrap things up at the 2012 National Biodiesel Conference I spoke with NBB CEO, Joe Jobe. He says that there was about a twenty five percent increase in attendance this year. However, he says it’s not the numbers that has made this conference so positive but the mood of the attendees which is much more upbeat than last year. He was happy to see more business being conducted. I certainly echo that.

If you plan ahead on your calendar you might want to go ahead and put the 2013 conference on your calendar. It will be held February 4-7, 2013 at the Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

Don’t forget to check out photos from this year’s conference which you can find by clicking on the link below and at the bottom of every post. You can also click on the thumbnails in the left sidebar to get to them too.

You can listen to my wrap-up interview with Joe here: Wrap-up Interview with Joe Jobe

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

During the Sustainability Symposium luncheon another Eye on Biodiesel award was presented:

Innovation: Keith Kline and Virginia Dale- Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The environmental benefits of biodiesel are many. In this age of skepticism and competition for resources, it behooves us to quantify the environmental benefits in methodical and scientific ways. Keith Kline and Virginia Dale are leaders in scientific thought and published research on the true environmental impact of biodiesel and renewable fuels. Their published works on measurement of land use change and environmental impacts of feedstock production provide needed perspective in a political atmosphere that threatens to stymie advancement of alternative fuels due to speculation and unsupported claims against the environmental reputation of biofuels.

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

The 2012 National Biodiesel Conference featured an expanded display of biodiesel vehicles. Here’s a panoramic shot of the display

Featured Vehicles and their Notable Representatives Included:

• Paul Teutul, Sr., the iconic founder of New York’s custom motorcycle shop Orange County Choppers and star of the hit Discovery Channel series American Chopper, revealed his latest custom-built chopper and one-of-a-kind biodiesel vehicle!




• Motorsports enthusiast and soybean farmer Brent Hajek showed his land-speed record-setting Ford F-250, which clocked 182 mph running on a B20 biodiesel blend at the Bonneville Salt Flats.




• Ford Motor Company will presented its brand new 2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty, built Ford tough and approved for use with B20 biodiesel blends.




• Hino Trucks, the latest OEM to approve the use of B20 biodiesel blends, will presented its new game-changer: the 2012 Hino COE 195h hybrid truck, which runs on B20 and electric power.




• Florida Power & Light, one of the greenest fleets in Florida, showcased one of its many capable utility vehicles operating on B20 biodiesel blends.




• NASA, one of Florida’s best known green fleets and pioneers in the use of B20 biodiesel blends, featured one of its H1 Hummers used to support much of NASA’s program testing on new craft and space suites.




• We took a look into the future with a Diesel Electric eXperimental Vehicle (DEX-V) built by the non-profit group BDCOTSRUS from commercial off-the-shelf parts. Powered by B20 and electric power, this vehicle achieves a fuel economy of more than 100 miles per gallon.




• We also saw the future of biodiesel take on a luxurious look as CIMA Green presented its next major biodiesel project – the awe-inspiring Fisker Karma hybrid electric sports car, ready for a biodiesel upgrade.

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

The keynote address at the Sustainability Symposium was given by Stephen Kaffa, California Biomass Collaborative.

His keynote outlined the major environmental, economic and social factors impacted by our choice of fuel.

He said it’s a big topic to cover in a short period of time and started with the “easy” part. He asked if everyone agreed on the three pillars of sustainability which are that agriculture or biomass production should be environmentally sound, economically profitable and socially just. Everyone agreed.

You can listen to Stephen’s remarks here: Stephen Kaffa Remarks

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

The last day of the 2012 National Biodiesel Conference featured a first ever Sustainability Symposium. A lot of attendees stayed for this event. Getting us started was Rachel Burton, Piedmont Biofuels. Rachel also introduced the keynote speaker, Stephen Kaffa, California Biomass Collaborative.

I spoke with Rachel before things got started to learn more about the Sustainability Symposium. She says the purpose is to connect with members and stakeholders about the current state of affairs with sustainability within the biodiesel industry. The symposium is taking a look at all the various aspects of sustainability that impact the industry.

Listen to the panel discussion here: Interview with Rachel Burton

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

During this year’s conference the radio program AgriTalk was broadcasting live once again. Here’s host Mike Adams interviewing NBB Chairman Gary Haer for the broadcast. The radio show also streams and records video and then uploads segments to their YouTube channel.

Here are links to some of the guest segments from their broadcast on Monday:

Anne Steckel: Anne Steckel talks about prospects for getting Congress to renew the biodiesel tax credit.

Brent Hajek: Brent Hajek of Hajek Motorsports explains how biodiesel was the key to breaking a land speed record in a stock Ford pickup.

Kansas Soybean: Brad Thompson of Bridgeman Oil Company and Don Kramer of Kramer Oil Company explain how biodiesel is making mines safer for those who work in them.

BioHeat: Residents in the northeast are increasingly turning to biodiesel to heat their homes. It’s a product called BioHeat, and it provides a drop-in renewable and clean source for home heating oil. Paul Nazarro of Advanced Fuel Solutions and John Maniscalco of the New York Oil Heating Association provide the details.

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

The second general session of the conference featured a panel discussion on diesel technology. Panelists included Glenn Ellis, Hino Trucks; Jim Michon, Ford Motor Company; Tom Fulks, Disel Technology Forum; Roger Gault, Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association and moderator Steve Howell, NBB Technical Director.

Many OEMs have taken the road to B20, a major biodiesel victory. With increased fuel economy standards and ever-lower emissions requirements, do all roads lead to diesel? These automotive industry leaders discussed their leaps forward in meeting stringent fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards, and the new role they see for biodiesel. It was a lively conversation about the future of diesel vehicle technology.

Listen to the panel discussion here: Diesel Technology Panel Discussion

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Meet the newest member of the National Biodiesel Board team in Washington, DC. Anne Steckel – Vice President of Federal Affairs. Anne spoke during today’s general session and talked about the challenges facing the industry. She also pointed to what is being done to ensure success including:

First, we have a great track record in Washington. These victories are laying the groundwork for the tremendous potential the industry holds.

Anne urged everyone to make personal contact with their local elected officials since that will have the most impact during this chaotic year in politics.

Listen to Anne’s remarks here: Anne Steckel Remarks

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

During the general session today a special Pioneer Award was presented to Krysta Harden, Chief of Staff for United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Harden spoke about her experiences over the years working for biodiesel.

Throughout her three decades in Washington D.C. Harden has held numerous positions including CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts, Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, Senior VP for the agriculture consulting firm Gordley Associates, professional staff member for the House Agriculture Committee and chief of staff to former Congressman Charles Hatcher (D-GA). During her work with Gordley Associates, representing the American Soybean Association, Harden was instrumental in laying the groundwork for federal biodiesel policies that have been hugely successful in growing a viable biodiesel industry. Harden continues to be a leader on biofuels in Washington due to her passion for the agriculture industry, environmental issues and energy.

Listen to Krysta’s remarks here: Krysta Harden Remarks

Also receiving an award today was Glenn Ellis, Hino Trucks (pictured on left). He accepted the National Biodiesel Board’s Eye on Biodiesel Impact Award.

Impact: Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc and Hino Trucks. In 2011 two new equipment manufacturers joined the ranks of B20 supporters. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., announced that all of its 2011 and forward model year diesel trucks are approved for use with B20.1 Isuzu was a trailblazer as the first Asian manufacturer to approve B20 for U.S. market spec engines. According to Isuzu, the announcement of B20 support was the result of three key factors: growing consumer demand for biodiesel, an extensive internal research project on B20 by Isuzu engineers, and improved biodiesel fuel quality. Hino Trucks, a Toyota Group Company, then multiplied the market impact in July by becoming the first manufacturer to support the use of B20 biodiesel blends in a hybrid-electric truck, as well as in its complete product line of class 4 and 5 cab over, and class 6 and 7 conventional trucks. Hino Trucks is the world’s third largest manufacturer of light and medium duty trucks, and now the fastest growing truck manufacturer in the U.S. With these two additions, 95 percent of the U.S. medium duty truck market now approves B20.

Listen to Glenn’s remarks here: Glenn Ellis Remarks

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

National Biodiesel Chairman, Gary Haer, took to the stage today to address attendees during a general session. He commented on the Presidential campaign in his state of Iowa and how nice it would be if they could get out and visit biodiesel plants on their campaign stops. A key focus of his remarks was how the growth of the RFS would create new jobs in America.

On our national biodiesel campaign tour, I’d introduce Americans to green-collar workers who are our boots on the ground. The people who put on work shirts, coveralls, and hardhats day-in and day-out to produce energy security one gallon at a time.

RFS2 can create 26 new green collar jobs every day, some of which will be in the oil and agriculture industries. That’s 26 new skilled, family-wage positions every day. 26 more domestic jobs producing our nation’s energy security in just two years with the growth of the RFS2.

Listen to Gary’s remarks here: Gary Haer Speech

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album