A new initiative was announced at the opening general session of the National Biodiesel Conference Monday – Scientists for Biodiesel. Founder of the Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute Dr. Rob Myers made the announcement as co-chair of the campaign with Donald Danforth Plant Science Center President Roger Beachy. “Scientists sometimes have differences of opinion, but this declaration is intended to show … Read More
Diversity to Overcome Adversity
National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe called on the industry to “leverage diversity to overcome adversity.” “I’m talking about the true spirit of diversity – inclusiveness, respect and most of all unity,” Jobe told the opening general session at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Francisco on Monday morning. Jobe noted that the food versus fuel issue has not gone … Read More
New Holland Support for Biodiesel
One of the first companies to realize the potential of biodiesel for both farmers and farm machinery was our good friend Gene Hemphill with New Holland, pictured here with NBB CEO Joe Jobe. Two years ago, Hemphill received the Biodiesel Innovation Award at this conference for his foresight and support of the industry, which he says goes back over 20 … Read More
Welcome From Chairman and CEO
Everyone was taking a little time Sunday night to socialize and relax before the real work begins this week, including the chairman and the CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. Pictured here are National Biodiesel Board Chairman Ed Hegland of Minnesota and his wife Dawn with NBB CEO Joe Jobe and his wife Lisa. I did a very brief interview … Read More
Conference Kick Off in San Francisco
The 2009 National Biodiesel Conference is now officially underway following the traditional Super Bowl kickoff party. Whether they were fans of the Cardinals or the Steelers – or just the commercials – everyone enjoyed the wide screens, great eats and comfortable atmosphere of the event at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The kick off party was sponsored this year … Read More
Coverage of the 2009 Biodiesel Conference Begins Here
California Here We Come! Coverage of the 2009 Biodiesel Conference and Expo officially starts here on the Biodiesel Conference Blog. The dates are Feb. 1-4, 2009, the place is San Francisco. If you can’t be there – be here to get all the latest sights, sounds and summaries from the nation’s premier biodiesel event! Registration information is available here on … Read More
Podcasts Available
All of the posted audio from the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference is now available in podcast form for subscriber downloading by going to the sidebar link or clicking here. There are a total of 30 audio podcast files this year including interviews, presentations and press conferences. There are over 200 photos in the Flicker Photo album and we did a … Read More
Closing Session Focuses on New Feedstocks
Biofuels industry experts discussed new feedstocks today in the final general session of the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in Orlando, Fla. Alan Weber, economic consultant to National Biodiesel Board, led a forum with Dr. Jack Brown from the University of Idaho (who is Scottish so he brings a European perspective to the biodiesel feedstock business), Keith Bruinsma, Vice … Read More
Biodiesel Energy Balance Increases
The energy balance for biodiesel is better than ever. At a press conference this morning in Orlando, a new analysis was unveiled that shows the energy balance of biodiesel is a positive ratio of 3.5-to-1. That’s an increase from 3.2 to 1 determined by the Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and USDA in 1998. Read the press … Read More
Tackling the Food Versus Fuel Issue
One of the most popular sessions at the conference was on the whole “food versus fuel” issue. Speakers at the session included Chris Schroeder with Centrec Consulting, Jim Duffield with USDA and John Urbanchuk of LECG, LLC. Duffield, pictured here at the podium, spoke to the conference last year and noted that at the time he said corn and soybean … Read More
New Sustainability Task Force Chair
Sustainability is the key to the future of biodiesel and to that end the National Biodiesel Board announced a new Sustainability Task Force at the conference this week. Heading the task force is Emily Bockian Landsburg of Philadelphia FryoDiesel. Emily says it’s critical for NBB to address this issue head-on and the time is now. “I’m thrilled to be able … Read More
Honoring Miss Lola
Now here is a real biodiesel champion. Last night, the NBB honored staff member Lola Helming, with the Dedicated Service Award. Helming has been the office coordinator for 15 years and was NBB’s first official employee. Most who have contacted the NBB headquarters have received Helming’s warm greeting, and she has helped to keep the office running smoothly from biodiesel’s … Read More
General Session Entertainment
Country music singer Michael Peterson likes to look at things just a little differently and in today’s general session he entertained the crowd with a sweet song about life “From the Grave to the Cradle.” Michael is a great advocate for biodiesel and he is a wonderful entertainer and all around nice guy. He is preparing for a new tour … Read More
“Eye on Biodiesel” Awards
The fifth annual “Eye on Biodiesel” awards were presented today at the conference general session. Two Florida-based industries were presented with top honors. Florida Power and Light received the “Initiative” award for using B20 in their entire diesel fleet of almost 2500 vehicles. Director of Fleet Services George Survant, here with Joe Jobe, accepted the award. In addition, NBB presented … Read More
Training for “Green Collar” Jobs
The number of “green collar†jobs is on the rise in America. By 2015, the biodiesel and ethanol industries will create more than 240,000 full-time jobs in all sectors related to renewable fuels production, economic experts project. Biodiesel curriculum developer Renewable Energy Group today joined with U.S. Department of Labor at the biodiesel conference to announce a new program to … Read More
EcoJet on Display
Jay Leno’s EcoJet is on display at the conference trade show in the New Holland booth. This futuristic car runs on 100% biodiesel and Jay had it custom designed by General Motors. It actually has a jet engine in it and has been on tour around the country. Steve says that the car is very light weight cranks out 650 … Read More
Daryl Hannah Makes Appearance
Green actress and “sustainable summiteer” Daryl Hannah has been a part of every National Biodiesel Conference since the beginning and this year was no different. “We need to educate ourselves in sustainable feedstocks, production and distribution models,” said Daryl. “We need to take the lead and rebuild the faith and the promise of biodiesel. We need to support the still … Read More
Leadership Conversation
The leadership of the biodiesel industry sat down on stage for a “truck stop” conversation. NBB Chairman Ed Hegland conducted the meeting with Vice Chairman Gary Haer of REG, Inc., Emily Bockian Landsburg of Philadelphia FryoDiesel who is chair of the newly formed Sustainability Task Force, and NBB Secretary Graham Noyes of Imperium Renewables. The conversation runs a little long … Read More
Opening General Session
National Biodiesel Board Executive Director Joe Jobe got the first general session underway this morning with condolences to New England Patriot fans. Being a Giants fan himself, Jobe was doing the happy dance for his team! New feedstocks for biodiesel is really the main focus of this year’s convention, with the theme “Navigating a Changing Landscape.” To emphasize the opportunities, … Read More
Hard Rocking Super Bowl Party
It has become a tradition for the National Biodiesel Conference to really kick off each year with a Super Bowl Party. This year’s event was held at the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal Studios and the place was packed with green biodiesel backers rooting for teams in red, white and blue. One of the highlights of the evening was a … Read More