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 Displays America’s Best-Selling Truck
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
2014 Chevy Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel Showcased
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
Caterpillar Highlights Their Off-Road Biodiesel Equipment
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
UC San Diego Showcases Their Bluebird
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
Eye on Biodiesel Pioneer Award
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
Eye on Biodiesel Inspiration Award
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
Eye on Biodiesel Impact Award
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
Kirk Leeds Receives Industry Partnership Award
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
Lifetime Achievement Award
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
Address by NBB Chair Steven J. Levy
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
The Policy Climate
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
Ride and Drive Day
It’s ride and drive day at the conference. Even the general public is invited in to pick a new vehicle to test out. On hand are company representatives to answer questions about the vehicles too. There are four vehicles outside the San Diego Convention Center from Hino, Ford, General Motors and Jeep. I chose the Chevy Cruze and rode along … Read More
Chevy Cruze Receives Innovation Award
The first of this year’s Eye on Biodiesel Awards was presented this morning for Innovation. It was presented to General Motors and the B20-Approved Chevrolet Cruze. General Motors continues to be a leading biodiesel supporter among OEM’s. This year the company took another step forward introducing the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel – the first B20-approved light-duty passenger sedan. … Read More
Become the Winning Underdog
Hopefully many of you remember or know about the 1980 Winter Olympics when the U.S. Hockey Team won gold. It’s one of the greatest moments in U.S. sports history. Well today the goalie for that team took the stage to talk to us about winning teamwork – Jim Craig. Jim gave a very motivating and inspirational speech in which he … Read More
Joe Jobe Opening Speech
This morning Joe Jobe, CEO, National Biodiesel Board, rallied the troops at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego. He told attendees that the petroleum industry is misleading Americans about fuel policy and called on President Barack Obama to stand firm behind his previous commitments to supporting alternative energy industries. In his annual address at the Biodiesel Conference & Expo, … Read More
Going Strong in San Diego
The 2014 National Biodiesel Conference is already going Strong here in San Diego. Attendees got registered today and started networking right away. For many, it’s like seeing family again. This evening we got together for a welcome reception at the San Diego Convention Center. It looks like we’re going to have an even larger crowd than was first thought! I’ve … Read More
2014 National Biodiesel Conference – Strong
It’s that time. The 2014 National Biodiesel Conference is next week folks. Hope you’re ready. I’ll be on location once again and working as the Biodiesel Blogger bringing you all the action. Things will get going late Monday and through Wednesday. You can find the program here. I’ll be sharing lots of photos and interviews as I find them. Hope … Read More
Clean Diesel Technology: A Winning Combination
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and one could write a book about the organization’s history and it’s incredible successes. But since I don’t have the space, I’ll let NBB CEO Joe Jobe do that on behalf of the industry. He opened this year’s conference with a look back on the last 20 years. … Read More
2013: Most Exciting Year for Clean Diesel Vehicles Ever
A bumper crop of new clean diesel vehicles are beginning to arrive in dealerships across the country and with them a bushel more of fuel choices for consumers is coming to market. Much of this crop can run on biodiesel fuel blends ranging from B5 to B20. The wide-range of diesel technology was showcased during the 2013 National Biodiesel Conference … Read More