If you’re wanting to know where biodiesel will sit at the oil company table then you’re in luck because we had a morning panel discussion that included experts in the field to talk about it. The RFS-2 will likely mean that these companies will be adding biofuels to their product lines which has the potential to double biodiesel production in … Read More
Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Addresses Conference
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack couldn’t be with us in person but he was via pre-recorded video. He says the the President has made revitalizing rural America a priority at USDA and that renewable energy production, including biodiesel must be a part of it. He says that he knows how important the extension of the biodiesel tax credit is … Read More
NBB Chairman On Stage To Fuel Change
Today’s general session featured National Biodiesel Board Chairman Ed Hegland. He’s completing his final term as Chairman. He started his comments by reminding everyone that today is the anniversary of daylight savings time which was created to conserve on our energy supply during World War I. It was an innovative idea then, and when it comes to the innovative work … Read More
NBB Chairman Ed Hegland
The Chairman of the National Biodiesel Board is Ed Hegland, 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 … Read More
AgriTalking With New Holland
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 … Read More
Economist Don Reynolds Optimistic For Future
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 … Read More
High Stakes In The Biodiesel Business
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.” … Read More
GM B20 Vehicle Compliance Announced on Stage
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 … Read More
Joe Jobe Looks To Positive Future
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 … Read More
Clean Cities In Texas
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 … Read More
Greening The Irvine Municipal Fleet
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 … Read More
Touring Direct Fuels Biodiesel
The media was treated to a biodiesel plant tour today at Direct Fuels Biodiesel in Euless, TX. It was a very comprehensive tour that included the facilities and learning about their process and even how they test for quality. Jacob McClernon, Quality Assurance Specialist is pictured showing us their cold soak filtration test. We also heard from Mark Farrer, Director … Read More
Ford Shows B20 Commitment On Truck
Another vehicle manufacturer was on hand this morning at our Classic Clean Fuels media event. Ford was represented by Brien Fulton. He was showing off the new badge they’re putting on 2011 model Super Duty pickups. This is what it looks like. Very classy, eh? Brien says the engines in these trucks will be fully capable of running on B20. … Read More
GM Announces B20 Compliant Vehicles for 2011
The media got to hear from Craig Eppling, Regional Communications Manager for GM this morning. Craig announced that 2011 models of their heavy duty trucks and cargo vans will be B20 compliant. They’ll be displayed first at an upcoming auto show. You can download (mp3 file) or listen to Craig’s announcement here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nbb/nbc-10-gm-announce.mp3] You can also download (mp3 file) or … Read More
End of 2009 Coverage
This will conclude our coverage of the 2009 National Biodiesel Conference in San Francisco. All of the posted audio from the conference is now available in podcast form for subscriber downloading by clicking here. There are a total of 17 audio podcast files this year including interviews, presentations and press conferences. There are over 450 photos in the Flicker Photo … Read More
Optimism for Biodiesel Market
The future for biodiesel is brighter than some might think right now in this economy, according to officials with Renewable Energy Group (REG). Jon Scharingson with REG gave an overview about the potential for biodiesel during the National Biodiesel Conference this week. “We’re pretty optimistic about the development of the biodiesel market in the US for 2009,” Jon says. “We … Read More
Biodiesel Governing Board
Members of the National Biodiesel Board governing board were recognized during the final session of the biodiesel conference in San Francisco Wednesday for their support and leadership of the organization and the industry. They include – from left to right – Chairman Ed Hegland, Vice-Chairman Gary Haer, Ed Ulch, Greg Anderson, Darryl Brinkmann, Greg Hopkins, Kris Kappenman, Denny Mauser, Doug … Read More
Biodiesel Inspiration and Pioneer Awards
Two of the last awards to be presented at the National Biodiesel Conference Wednesday were given for Inspiration and industry Pioneer. As the Inspiration award winners, Bryan Peterson and Pete Bethune shared their inspiring stories with the conference this morning. Fourteen years ago Bryan Peterson made his way around the world in a small boat powered by a little-known fuel … Read More
Rolling Stone Rocks for Biodiesel
A highlight of the last evening of the National Biodiesel Conference was an appearance by Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, sponsored by New Holland. Chuck is not just an awesome keyboard player, he is also an avid environmentalist, a tree farmer and a proponent of biofuels. He also recently started the Mother Nature Network, which just launched last month and … Read More
Red and White and Green All Over
Founded in 1892, the historic Red and White Fleet is legendary for its premiere San Francisco Cruises. Family owned, the Red and White Fleet is committed to environmental sustainability and community education – and to that end the cruises run on B20. The fleet sponsored a trip for biodiesel board members and the media to tell how and why they … Read More