Students from across the country took advantage of this year’s National Biodiesel Conference and presented their research to gain feed back and awareness of the biodiesel industry. This opportunity also allowed them to network with fellow researchers and learn more about the biodiesel community. Chuck met up with three of the young people and they shared what sparked their interest … Read More

Director of bio-based products for the United Soybean Board (USB), Michael Erker, was one of the many attendees of the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference. He works with many bio-based products including biodiesel. He gives insights into what bio-based products that contain biodiesel include and shares how involved USB is in funding biodiesel research. “When we talk about bio-based products made … Read More

It is easy to say that many of the promotional opportunities we see from the biodiesel industry wouldn’t be possible without the Biodiesel Foundation. During the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference the foundation was hard at work to raise money in order to increase awareness. Beth Calabotta, Vice President of the Biodiesel Foundation, shared with Chuck in an interview that their … Read More

Member of the National Corn Growers Association Board and director of Western Iowa Energy, LLC, Kevin Ross, chatted with Chuck after the opening session at the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference. They discuss farm policy and how precision agriculture technology has impacted his farming operation where he raises cattle and grows corn and soybeans. Kevin shared that if we don’t move … Read More

Commodity groups across the country also took interest in the happenings at the recent National Biodiesel Conference. Frank Legner, Legner Farms is a member of the Illinois Soybean Association and attended the conference to relay the update on biodiesel to growers in Illinois. He talks about how he uses precision agriculture on his farm where they grow 50/50 soybeans and … Read More

Rhesa Ledbetter from Utah State University was one of the students who attended the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference. Chuck caught up with her for an interview and she explains her research in algae biodiesel fuel. Rhesa finished her master’s in micro-biology and then decided she wanted to do a project that was really applied. To her biodiesel products seemed to … Read More

When Jeremy Wagner and Scott Roberts made the movie Gas Hole a couple of years ago, they had no idea the impact it would have. During the recent 2014 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo the co-directors/producers presented to attendees, showed an extended excerpt from the movie and did a little Q & A. Chuck caught up with the team and … Read More

Chrysler featured their new B20-approved 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel during the Vehicle Showcase. It’s equipped with a 3.0L EcoDiesel engine and boasting a best-in-class highway fuel economy rating of up to 30 mpg, running over 730 miles on one tank of fuel. Chrysler/Jeep’s, Brad Beauchamp is the Vocational Account Executive for the Energy Segment of the Chrysler Group LLC. … Read More

During the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference, Hino Trucks showcased their new game-changer: the Hino COE 195h hybrid truck at the Vehicle Showcase. The COE 195h is making its mark in the medium duty truck segment running clean and quiet on B20 biodiesel blends and electric power. Hino Trucks’ Spencer Nicol is the senior manager for Hino’s Strategic Product Applications. Spencer … Read More

Ford Motor Company presented its brand new 2014 Ford F350 Super Duty during the Vehicle Showcase. The F350 Super Duty has been America’s best-selling truck for over 35 straight years, built Ford tough and approved for use with B20 biodiesel blends. Steve Kelley is Fleet Manager for Mossy Ford San Diego. He shares insights into Ford’s new F350 and walks … Read More

The Vehicle Showcase drew many with a vested interest in what’s new in biodiesel fleets. General Motors showcased their new 2014 Chevy Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, the first light duty passenger car in the U.S. to be fully approved for use with B20 biodiesel blends nationwide. The 2014 Chevy Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel was the winner of the biodiesel industry’s … Read More

For the Vehicle Showcase at NBB Convention, Caterpillar highlighted the performance benefits of biodiesel in their off-road equipment market, showcasing Caterpillar 938K Wheel Loader powered by B20. Caterpillar’s Jeff Woods, presents what’s new in their off-road equipment line and stresses the company’s commitment to clean air and sustainability. “This engine produces about 175 horsepower. The DPF system catches about 99% … Read More

During the 2014 National Biodiesel’s Vehicle Showcase, UC San Diego, one of San Diego’s best known green fleets, showcased their Bluebird bus with a Caterpillar C7 engine, providing UCSD students with a cleaner commute on B20 biodiesel blends since 2008. Will Deans, Lead Heavy Duty Mechanic at UC San Diego in Fleet Services represented the University and presented on their … Read More

Receiving an Eye on Biodiesel Pioneer Award for lifetime achievement serving the biodiesel industry at the convention was Mike Haas, of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. Haas has been a Lead Scientist and Research Biochemist with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service since 1981. He has been a huge supporter of the biodiesel industry and currently leads a project investigating the production … Read More

Len Hering, a retired Rear Admiral from the U.S. Navy, gave an absolutely wonderful speech during the closing general session of the conference. You might want to share a link to it (listen below) with your friends and family and perhaps even the EPA! In addition he received an NBB Eye on Biodiesel Inspiration Award. Len is also the Executive … Read More

The Eye on Biodiesel Impact Award was presented to Richard Corey, California Clean Air Resources Board during this morning’s general session. The State of California continues to serve as a national and world leader in regulations related to environmental sustainability, and the California Air Resources Board is at the heart of those efforts. In January of 2010, Air Resources Board … Read More

The Eye on Biodiesel Award for Industry Partnership was presented to Kirk Leeds, Iowa Soybean Association this morning. Kirk is Chief Executive Officer of the Association and has been a leader among soybean organizations in supporting biodiesel efforts since the industry’s inception. ISA’s support of the National Biodiesel Board over the years has allowed the industry to prepare and face … Read More

Today Don Borgman, John Deere, was honored with a National Biodiesel Board Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the biodiesel industry. Later this year Borgman will be retiring from John Deere after over 40 years of service. Most recently he served as the Director of Agricultural Industry Relations for John Deere’s North American operations. He has been involved in … Read More

The Chair of the National Biodiesel Board is Steven J. Levy, Sprague Operating Resources LLC. This is his first conference as the Chair so when he spoke at today’s general session he told a little bit about himself and his background. He’s the first NBB Chair who is not a farmer, producer or from the Midwest. Steven spoke about the … Read More

It wa.s time for a little policy on stage this morning at the conference. NBB’s Anne Steckel provided a legislative update during our general session before leading a panel with former Senator Bryon Dorgan and Representative Kenny Hulshoff. It made for a lively discussion as they discussed the current ability of Congress to make progress on important issues, the situation … Read More