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|  | Algae Interest for Biodiesel, Carbon Reduction Grows |  |
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 When Missouri's Central Electric Power Cooperative held a ribbon cutting for its algae demonstration project, NBB staff members were more than happy to participate.
Located on the banks of the rolling Missouri river, the Chamois Power Plant is the perfect location to experiment with algae to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2). Power Cooperative staff provided a personal tour to give the NBB team an inside look at the pilot project.
“Biodiesel is the most diverse fuel on the planet, and the National Biodiesel Board supports biodiesel made from all fats and plant oils,” said Alan Weber, NBB’s feedstock development project manager. “Algae holds great promise as NBB and the industry continue to drive exciting research of new biodiesel feedstocks.”
The project brings together the collective expertise of Missouri-based Associated Electric Cooperative and Central Electric Power Cooperative with Lincoln University and Missouri University of Science and Technology and is studying the feasibility of using CO2 in flue gas from the Chamois Power Plant to feed algae.
The demonstration project features algae growing in four large pools. The algae use energy from sunlight to feed on the flue gas CO2 as it bubbles up through the water. The experiment will determine whether this process can in fact capture CO2 and possibly reduce emissions often associated with climate change.
In addition to mitigating climate change concerns, the group envisions the algae as a resource for biodiesel, ethanol and livestock feed.
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| | Washington, DC Update | |
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Status of Biodiesel Tax Credit
Last week, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee held a hearing dealing with tax policy and its relation to the energy industry. The NBB Federal Affairs team is closely monitoring all legislative actions and working with members of Congress to educate them on the critical importance of the tax incentive and ensure it is extended.
The biodiesel tax incentive was discussed at length during the hearing. In his testimony before the committee, John M. Urbanchuk, Ph.D., Director, LECG, LLC, discussed the merits of the biodiesel tax incentive and the need for Congress to enact a multi-year extension of the incentive.
In response to a question from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Urbanchuk described in detail the energy and tax policy benefits that would come from restructuring the biodiesel incentive as a production excise tax credit. The discussion also touched on the tax simplification associated with reforming the credit as a production excise tax credit.
Senator Cantwell indicated that she will be introducing legislation that will reform the biodiesel tax incentive as a production credit and provide a multi-year extension beyond the credit’s current expiration date on December 31, 2009.
Read all of John M. Urbanchuk’s testimony, here.
Renewable Fuel Standard
Currently, the EPA has yet to release its Notice of Public Rulemaking (NOPR) regarding the RFS-2, as established by PL 110-140, the Energy Security and Independence Act of 2007.
The NBB has been aggressively engaged with both the Obama Administration and members of Congress in working to establish timely implementation of a workable Renewable Fuels Standard that is based on sound science and includes the feedstock that will be needed to meet the program’s Advanced Biofuels use requirements.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected in the near future to issue a proposed RFS-2 rule, with the goal of completing the rulemaking process and implementing the program by January 1, 2010.
NBB supports timely implementation of RFS-2. However, the U.S. biodiesel industry is concerned with the methodology being employed by EPA to craft the RFS-2 rule. Although NBB has not yet had the opportunity to formally review the draft rule, EPA personnel through stakeholder meetings have indicated that the forthcoming rule as currently drafted disqualifies Biomass-based Diesel derived from vegetable oil, including domestically-produced soybean and canola oil, from the Biomass-based Diesel schedule.
Vegetable oil is an essential feedstock needed to meet the RFS-2 Biomass-based Diesel targets; they simply cannot be met if vegetable oils are disqualified from the program. This potential outcome is inconsistent with underlying policy goals of RFS-2 that are meant to displace petroleum diesel with low-carbon Advanced Biofuels.
The NBB will vigorously fight to ensure that vegetable oils are included in the RFS-2, as it is consistent with meeting the energy policy goals set forth by Congress to displace foreign petroleum and produce a low carbon diesel replacement fuel that reduces ghg emissions.
For the latest information on legislative policy and federal affairs, do not hesitate to contact the Washington, DC office for an update.
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| | Ports Look to Biodiesel to Help Cut Carbon Emissions | |
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 Though container shipping ports are a critical link in global trade, and import and export economies, a recent report pointed to the busy hubs as among the air worst polluters. The report by Energy Futures, Inc called “Container Ports and Air Pollution,” found that U.S. and international container shipping ports are among the world's biggest sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The report examined the top ten container ports in the U.S. and found that the alternative fuels are gaining momentum as a more environmentally responsible way to move goods. Biodiesel is playing a role in this effort to reduce air pollution from diesel equipment.
Two of the top ten ports -- Seattle and Tacoma on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington -- both rely on biodiesel to power their diesel fleets. The Port of Seattle began using B99 in 2006 to fuel its fleet of 60-70 diesel vehicles and equipment. In addition, four of the container terminals at the Port use biodiesel. The Port of Tacoma uses blend levels ranging from B5-B50 and Husky Terminal is the first terminal at the Port to use biodiesel.
Click here for more information and to view the full study.
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| | NBB joins global biofuel research efforts | |
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The National Biodiesel Board is taking part in a new collaboration of biofuels-related researchers and scientific institutions. The Biofuels Network, developed by the Brazil-U.S. Higher Education Council aims to improve communication between higher education and scientific institutions in Brazil and United States.
The projects initial goals include: - Promote awareness of selected research activities on biofuels programmed and going on in a variety of U.S. and Brazilian institutions;
- Improve the communication between researchers and faculties from various institutions in Brazil and in the U.S.;
- And encourage the development and advancement of joint student exchange and research projects, technologies and production of scientific evidence between Brazilian and U.S. counterparts.
The Network's Web site - www.brazil-usa.henetwork.org - allows users to access information on biofuels and funding opportunities; a forum to discuss biofuels issues; a virtual library where it is possible to upload abstracts and reports and download others from members of the Network; a database with information about all members; among other things.
NBB encourages researchers to share information through the network, and to be an outlet for sharing technical data which results from the network.
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| | Survey Shows Biodiesel Gains Favor Among Truckers | |
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 This March when 60,000 truckers descended on Louisville, Ky., biodiesel leaders capitalized on the opportunity to learn more about what drivers think about the cleaner burning alternative fuel. During the largest U.S. based trucking show, Mid America Trucking Show, NBB and Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board ran an online survey of Owner Operators, independent, and company drivers. The survey rounded up 276 responses.
Of those who took part in the survey: - 8 percent were not familiar with biodiesel
- 75.8 percent have a positive impression of biodiesel
- 57 percent have at least tried biodiesel
- 94 percent would use biodiesel in the future.
Truckers had a long list of reasons why they support the home grown fuel. Supporting American farmers tops the list of reasons for using biodiesel with 59 percent, followed energy independence with 40 percent.
Truckers from all over the country have weighed in on biodiesel's benefits.
"Biodiesel is the best fuel for helping out the farmers and helping out the American economy. It burns clean with no smoke," said John Wieczorek of Perry, Missouri.
"I have been using biodiesel in my truck for almost five years. It burns cleaner with no power loss or any problems. As long as I can get biodiesel, I will keep putting it in my truck," said Rick Brumback of Versailles, Kentucky.
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| | Biodiesel Shines at Alternative Fuels Conference | |
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Biodiesel had a strong presence at the Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo 2009 in Orlando, Florida, April 19-22. This fuel and technology neutral Conference brings industry experts, transportation leaders and policy makers together to help fleets sort through which fuels and vehicles make the most sense for them.
The National Biodiesel Board sponsored the conference, exhibited, and had several speakers on the program, including NBB CEO Joe Jobe, Technical Director Steve Howell, and Outreach and Development Director Tom Verry. NBB also organized a session called Homeland Security: Growing Domestic Fueling Solutions with Biodiesel. It included testimony from fleet managers Bruce Chesson, NASA/Kennedy Space Center; Nina Hoffert, City of Lakewood, Colorado; and George Survant, Florida Power & Light Company. This year NBB also drove a diesel vehicle in the Vehicle Parade, open to the general public.
Jobe received national recognition as the recipient of the AFVI Golden Bullet Award. The awards honor excellence in individuals and/or organizations that have advanced the use of alternative fuels, vehicles or advanced technologies resulting in clean alternatives to petroleum.
The AF&V conference showcases non-petroleum options including natural gas, ethanol, biodiesel, propane, electricity, and hydrogen, and their companion vehicles. The conference embraces advanced technologies that result in fuel efficiency, petroleum displacement and emissions improvements.
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| | 2009 VW Jetta TDI Cup Begins With a Power Boost from Biodiesel | |
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 The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series kicked off in April with double header races at VIRginia International Raceway. The SCCA Pro Racing sanctioned event provides the opportunity for young drivers to compete in ten events on eight road courses around North America. The drivers race in identical factory-prepared Jetta TDIs. The series is the only clean diesel racing series in the United States, and Volkswagen is the only auto manufacturer participating in motorsports full time with diesel powered cars. This year, two female drivers qualified for the 2009 Jetta TDI Series team, including Theresa Condict from Lexington, Mass., proudly sponsored by HYPERFUELS.
NBB Member HYPERFUELS is also the official fuel sponsor of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI race season. About 12,000 gallons of biodiesel blended fuel will be used to power the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series, from the Jetta TDI race cars running on B5, to the transport trucks and generators running on 20 percent biodiesel blends. The overall carbon emissions of the series will be reduced by more than 33,760 pounds.
Clark Campbell, Motorsport Manager for Volkswagen of America, Inc. said, "The addition of Syndiesel® B5 in the Jetta TDI Cup race cars further demonstrates the feasibility of biodiesel as an alternative fuel source for American consumers, and supports the clean and green racing of the Jetta TDI Cup series. Volkswagen also supports the use of up to B5 biodiesel blends in all of its TDI clean diesel powered vehicles available at local Volkswagen dealerships today."
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| | Lung Associations Urge More Biodiesel Use to Improve Air Quality | |
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The American Lung Association of the District of Columbia (ALADC) recommended biodiesel use in response to findings from the State of the Air Report 2009 that gives the D.C. area an “F” grade for poor air quality. During the ALADC news conference with city officials, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the Howard University College of Medicine and Vice Chairman-Elect of ALADC Dr. Bailus Walker, Jr. stressed the extensive research that supports biodiesel’s benefits for human health.
“Give your support to any effort to advance technology that emit lower levels of pollution like biodiesel,” said Dr. Walker who also showed attendees the Journal of Inhalation and Toxicology issue on biodiesel that resulted from a program that the ALADC helped convene in 2006.
NBB Member Ben Wootton of Keystone Biodiesel attended the ALADC news conference. Keystone will be supplying fuel for the District of Columbia, which is preparing to switch to a biodiesel blend. Wootton, an asthma sufferer, became interested in working in the biodiesel industry after learning about biodiesel’s air quality benefits.
Biodiesel reduces air toxins by 90 percent, and significantly reduces the compounds linked to cancer. Breathing the smoke from diesel exhaust can trigger an asthma attack. The use of biodiesel reduces particulate matter up to 40 percent.
The American Lung Association in Minnesota described the State of the Air report as a “wake up” call to further embrace fuels like biodiesel and is also participating in May 1 activities to kick off Minnesota's increase to a B5 biodiesel blend.
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| | Ohio alternative-fuel-use scorecard drives increased biodiesel use | |
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 The state of Ohio's efforts to increase the use of alternative fuels in state vehicles, not only increased biodiesel use, but also captured national recognition. The Ohio Department of Administrative Services’ Office of Fleet Management received the 2009 Larry Goill Memorial Quality Fleet Management Idea Award from the NAFA Fleet Management Association for its innovative program. The state earned the honor for creating and using a scorecard to measure alternative fuel use in state vehicles. The scorecard's results have been astounding. During calendar year 2008, E85 use increased 701 percent and biodiesel use increased 2,364 percent.
“This national award further confirms that the State of Ohio has made great strides during the past two years in our efforts to increase the use of alternative fuels. There is more work to be done, but we accept the responsibility of being a leader among our peers,” said Director Hugh Quill of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.
In 2007 the Office of Fleet Management created a scorecard indicating each state agency’s alternative fuel use and its progress toward reaching its statutory goal. The scorecard has been shared with agency fleet managers and posted to the State of Ohio Web site at http://das.ohio.gov/gsd/Fleet/pdf/E_85_Bio_Feb_09.pdf.
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