Biodiesel Bulletin - September 2010

On 9/1/2010 5:00 PM, National Biodiesel Board wrote:

In This Issue September 2010 NBB rallies scientific support base for biodiesel Formula for success: Community College lab first to earn BQ-9000 seal Foil the oil: biodiesel producers help clean up Gulf NBB member, contractor pair up to “Energize Missouri” NBB and members work to build relationships, educate Congress “Big Apple” takes a bite out of air pollution Fine beer, fine fuel: Odell Brewery hosts biodiesel supporters Don’t miss the 2011 Biodiesel Conference & Expo
		NBB rallies scientific support base for biodiesel NBB is increasing recognition of biodiesel as an Advanced Biofuel through "Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel". On August 30, NBB announced that 28 student scientists from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire to Oregon State University in Corvallis have formed a group to demonstrate and expand support for biodiesel among tomorrow's scientific leaders.  NBB cultivated significant positive media coverage and other recognition with the 2009 launch of the Scientists for Biodiesel declaration--125 scientists including four college deans have signed that declaration. The "Next Generation" engages college-level students who will soon be decision makers at Original Equipment Manufacturers, government agencies as well as biodiesel companies. Many students are already active in biodiesel initiatives. Dialogue with them allows NBB to provide sound information to these young scientists who are also energetic communicators. Lucas Ellis of Dartmouth, pursuing his Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering, is one of four co-chairs of the effort.  "In college there is an eagerness to become an advocate or have a cause, and mine was the environment, science and educating others about sustainability," Ellis said.  "Biodiesel combined all of those and became my passion."   Selected by NBB, the other co-chairs of Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel are:   Bernardo del Campo, Iowa State University (Biorenewable Resources and Technologies) Mikkel Leslie, Oregon State University (Environmental Engineering) Jason Strull, University of Nevada - Reno (Material Sciences and Chemical Engineering) NBB members can direct any student scientist to also sign the declaration, found at http://www.biodieselsustainability.org/.  They will then have opportunities to learn more about biodiesel, including a virtual conference, scheduled for Sept. 28.  A Facebook page also provides students with a forum to discuss biodiesel with each other and view profiles of other students and their biodiesel projects. back to top Formula for success: Community College lab first to earn BQ-9000 seal The fuel testing laboratory at Iowa Central Community College, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, has become the first in the world to earn accreditation as a BQ-9000 laboratory.  It means the lab has become a national leader in testing biodiesel and biodiesel blends to ensure they meet fuel quality standards.  The nonprofit Iowa Central Fuel Testing Laboratory offers cost-effective, rapid testing for biodiesel producers nationwide.  It also tests other fuels like ethanol and petroleum.  Organizers hope that its new biodiesel accreditation will help it earn the business of more customers, including the Iowa Department of Agriculture's Weights and Measures Bureau, tasked with fuel quality compliance.  Among other things, earning the designation of BQ-9000 Laboratory involved creating a detailed manual that regulates the process used in every step of the lab's biodiesel testing.  A third-party auditor inspected the facility before granting accreditation.  BQ-9000 is a voluntary quality assurance program overseen by the independent National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission.  To date, 62 biodiesel producers and marketers are now BQ-9000 certified companies, representing 75-80 percent of the U.S. biodiesel production volume.   The laboratory designation is new. "There is a need in our industry for qualified, credible laboratories to test biodiesel samples," said Steve Howell, technical director for the National Biodiesel Board. "Becoming accredited is a rigorous process, and the Iowa Central Fuel Testing Laboratory deserves our congratulations for being the first." Howell noted that as in the case with biodiesel producers, the NBAC expects to see other labs jumping on board with certification.  That will help ensure a high quality fuel supply for producers and consumers alike, he said. For more on BQ-9000, visit www.bq-9000.com.  back to top Foil the oil: biodiesel producers help clean up Gulf Some of the same innovators who produce biodiesel are helping to clean up the oil in the Gulf of Mexico.   Methyl esters, the chemical yielded in biodiesel production, can be formulated into a biobased solvent that is federally listed as a shoreline washing agent for oil spill clean-up.  An effort has been underway for months to encourage the use of this effective product to remediate oiled shorelines, particularly the more sensitive marsh habitats.  It is finally starting to pay off. "The  chemical dispersants used in the Gulf have been criticized because all they do is dissolve the oil back into the water, which actually makes it more toxic to sea life," said Randall Von Wedel, founder and principal biochemist of CytoCulture International, a company that pioneered the method in the 1990s.  "A biobased solvent does the opposite of a dispersant.  It removes the oil from impacted vegetation and shoreline and floats it into the water for easy recovery." Von Wedel says a contractor tasked with cleaning up oil recently purchased the product for use in the Gulf.  The process involves crews spraying the methyl esters from shallow draft boats onto oil-covered marsh vegetation or small beaches normally unreachable by land.  After the biobased solvent is applied, a gentle "rain" of seawater rinses the dissolved petroleum mixture off the plants and shoreline for recovery, using small mechanical skimmers.  The mixture can be recycled. "Biodiesel is America's first commercially available advanced biofuel, and one of its main benefits is displacing crude oil," said Steve Howell, technical director of the National Biodiesel Board.   "This is another example of what our innovative biodiesel producers can contribute to society." A video on the Cytosol process can be found on the NBB YouTube channel. back to top NBB member, contractor pair up to “Energize Missouri” National Biodiesel Board member BlackGold Biofuels and contractor H20'C Engineering will be getting their hands dirty thanks to a $50,000 award from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The "Energize Missouri Renewable Energy Study" subgrant will allow the pair to conduct a FOG-to-biodiesel feasibility study. FOG' is the fats, oil, and greases that are skimmed from the surfaces of sewage treatment plants. The sticky grease has a reputation for making a mess, but this duo is setting out to tap its potential. BlackGold of Philadelphia and H20'C Engineering of Missouri will use sewage derived FOG from Kansas City and St. Lois metro areas for the study. "We're excited to work on turning a true waste product into an advanced, renewable fuel," said Tom O'Connor, owner of H20'C Engineering. "Hopefully, this will benefit many communities in the near future." The grant also promises to yield a document others can use who might be interested in similar programs to implement wastewater biofuels technology. back to top NBB and members work to build relationships, educate Congress The summer of 2010 can safely be classified as the summer of the biodiesel tax incentive. NBB staff and members focused on the renewal of the biodiesel tax incentive and hosted many media and Congressional events across the country. NBB took the opportunity during the August recess to host an energy media event with Congressman Roy Blunt (R - MO) and Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. The two addressed a room full of reporters and biodiesel stakeholders on issues regarding the biodiesel tax incentive and the future of the biodiesel industry. NBB members got involved with the grassroots effort by meeting with Senators and Representatives, in Washington D.C., over the phone, and by hosting events at production facilities. NBB provided support for members through talking points, message development, event advisory/press release support, media contacts, and other tips that helped maximize media exposure. Biodiesel stakeholders across the country have made thousands of contacts with Congress since the lapse of the biodiesel tax incentive on December 31st. While the time without the incentive has been hard on the industry, NBB and its members are taking every opportunity to build relationships in Congress and to educate leaders on the benefits of biodiesel. back to top “Big Apple” takes a bite out of air pollution NBB members were on hand as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed the law requiring cleaner burning Bioheat® to be used for heating homes and buildings. While many New York homes and business are already enjoying the benefits of Bioheat, starting in October 2012, all heating oil sold within New York City will contain at least 2 percent biodiesel.  "New York City consumes 1 billion gallons of heating oil annually, more than any other city in the United States," said City Councilman James F. Gennaro, who sponsored the legislation. "This will annually replace 20 million gallons of petroleum with an equal volume of renewable, sustainable, domestically produced biodiesel. We are already home to what will be the largest biodiesel processing facility in the country as well as a growing grease collection industry, and we expect to see more green collar jobs and green economic growth as a result of our legislation." Along with NBB members, the National Biodiesel Board participated in many of the hearings and discussions that preceded the final law and hailed it as groundbreaking municipal policy. "New York City is already the nation's largest municipal user of biodiesel. We applaud the Mayor and City Council for building on that legacy by adopting a universal biodiesel requirement that will further improve air quality in the city," said Shelby Neal, NBB's director of state governmental affairs. "Councilman Gennaro has been a tireless advocate for this and other important environmental issues. His vision for a cleaner burning, green, and sustainable heating fuel is being realized." The visionary Bioheat legislation also limits sulfur in petroleum-based heating oil, and was supported by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Speaker Christine Quinn, among others. back to top Fine beer, fine fuel: Odell Brewery hosts biodiesel supporters A popular biodiesel-using brewery that is growing in international prestige hosted a biodiesel and biobased products workshop for fleet managers and government officials in Northern Colorado.  Odell Brewing Company teamed up with Northern Colorado Clean Cities for the August event.  After the workshop, attendees were treated to a tour of the brewery.  The Odell family started its brewing odyssey in 1989, in a converted 1915 grain elevator in Fort Collins, Colo.  Odell's was just the second microbrewery to open in Colorado. Since then, Odell has become a huge success.  Its classic beers, such as Easy Street Wheat, 5 Barrel Pale Ale, 90 Shilling and IPA, have earned the company a wall full of national and international awards.  The brewery uses a number of renewable energy sources for its needs, including biodiesel blends in its delivery trucks.  The company also uses wind power, and photovoltaic electricity generation. "As a manufacturing company we understand our impact on energy usage and feel it is our responsibility to explore and promote all possibilities," said company founder Doug Odell. Odell Brewing has been named a "Best Company to Work For" in Colorado, and biodiesel may play a role in that. "Everyone here is environmentally minded and they are happy that their using biodiesel, but the great thing about using it in our delivery trucks is that it really doesn't function any differently," said Karla Baise, community outreach coordinator. back to top Don’t miss the 2011 Biodiesel Conference & Expo Plan now to participate in the biodiesel event of the year.  The annual National Biodiesel Conference & Expo is the only event that gathers biodiesel decision-makers from all around the United States and the world. Opportunities abound for attendees and exhibitors to network, connect and learn. This event will explore the topics of governmental policy, technical issues and marketing trends in the biodiesel industry. 2011 is shaping up to be a banner year for biodiesel production and industry growth. Our hope is that this conference will be the springboard to greater opportunities for our industry. The 2011 conference, to be held at the Phoenix Convention Center, will include an array of networking and social events in the exciting city of Phoenix, along with our always popular Expo. Visit the official conference website at www.biodieselconference.org for more information. back to top Upcoming Events Please visit "biodiesel events" on biodiesel.org for more.       Click the Conference logo to find out more about the Two-Day Conference dedicated to car and truck fleet professionals October 18-19, 2010 in San Diego, California.      Click here to read the latest issue of Biodiesel Magazine The NBB Family of Web Sites back to top Contact Us For more information on biodiesel visit our website at www.biodiesel.org or contact us at 888-BIODIESEL.  Kaleb Little, Communications and Member Specialist klittle@biodiesel.org Bev Thessen, Information Coordinator bthessen@biodiesel.org This bulletin is also available online at http://www.biodiesel.org/news/bulletin/ back to top
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