Podcasts Available

Cindy Zimmerman2008 Conference, General

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

Local Users of Biodiesel

John2008 Conference, Audio, General

Besides absolutely perfect weather and a fantastic location right in the middle of some of the biggest attractions in the world (including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Cape Kennedy just down the road a little ways… just to name a few), Orlando was a great location for this year’s National Biodiesel Conference and Expo because of the good example … Read More

Closing Session Focuses on New Feedstocks

Cindy Zimmerman2008 Conference, Audio, General

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

Cindy Zimmerman2008 Conference, Audio

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

Cindy Zimmerman2008 Conference, Audio

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

Cindy Zimmerman2008 Conference, Audio

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

Living Legend Addresses NBB Conference

John2008 Conference, Audio

There’s a few times in your life when you get to see a true living legend in person. This morning was one of those occasions as I watched Astronaut Jim Lovell talk to a captivated audience of biodiesel industry folks at the morning general session of the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo. Talk about an inspirational speech! The man, … Read More

Welcome to Super Tuesday!

John2008 Conference, Audio

In just a few hours, we should start getting the results of the Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses, as voters in 24 states go to the polls to decide who will be the Democratic and Republican standard bearers for the November 2008 general election. This morning at the opening session of the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in Orlando, … Read More

Biodiesel Getting Better

John2008 Conference, Audio

A new study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows the quality of biodiesel has made significant gains from just a couple of years ago. During a session completed just moments ago at the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference and expo here in Orlando, Fla., Teresa Alleman, a senior chemist with NREL says 90 percent of the biodiesel her lab … Read More

Honoring Miss Lola

Cindy Zimmerman2008 Conference

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

Making Magic Happen with Biodiesel

John2008 Conference, Audio, Video

Universal Studios announced today that it will increase the amount of biodiesel it is using at the popular Orlando theme park. In a press conference today at the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo, David Winslow, Senior Director Engineering and Environmental Sustainability Technical Services, for NBC Universal, says the park is converting the ourboard engines that take guests from the … Read More

General Session Entertainment

Cindy Zimmerman2008 Conference, Audio

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

NBB Vice Chair See Challenges & Opportunities Ahead

John2008 Conference, Audio

National Biodiesel Board Vice Chairman Gary Haer says he is amazed at the turnout for this year’s National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida. He says the thousands of attendees at the event seemed to be determined to take on the challenges that are ahead. Haer, who is also a VP of Sales and Marketing for Iowa-based Renewable Energy … Read More

“Eye on Biodiesel” Awards

Cindy Zimmerman2008 Conference

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

Riding & Driving with Michael Peterson

John2008 Conference, Video

One of the things the National Biodiesel Board is showing folks at this year’s convention (and outside the convention for that matter) is how biodiesel performs as well as, if not better than, any petroleum diesel out there. To prove the point, the board has a “Ride-and-drive” event where the general public can get behind the wheel of a 2008 … Read More

Training for “Green Collar” Jobs

Cindy Zimmerman2008 Conference, Audio

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

The First Oil Producers Back on the Job

John2008 Conference, Audio

One of the big issues at this year’s conference is the search for additional feedstocks for biodiesel. Solazyme, one of the conference sponsors, is looking at the viability of making biodiesel out of algae as an alternative to more expensive conventional sources. In fact, the folks from Solazyme brought a sweet ride to the conference… a Mercedes Benz C320 that … Read More

EcoJet on Display

Cindy Zimmerman2008 Conference

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

An Opportunity to Take on Challenges

John2008 Conference, Audio

This morning, the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo started the day with a general session, where NBB CEO Joe Jobe briefed attendees on the state of biodiesel and the direction he sees it heading. During a quick break between the numerous events at the conference (including his time with Agritalk this morning as pictured here), I caught up with … Read More

Change the Way You Look at Things

John2008 Conference, Audio

Country music star Michael Peterson was one of the featured speakers at this morning’s “Ride-and-drive” event at the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida. Cindy grabbed Michael for a quick interview right after he returned from a test drive of a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 diesel pick up truck running on B20. As he stepped out of … Read More