Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009 - (Page 80)

Biodiesel Conference Industry Poised to Take On 2009 Challenges: NBB The biodiesel industry is ready to take on the challenges of 2009, after struggling through a rough period of volatile feedstock and oil prices in 2008. The National Biodiesel Conference and Expo, themed “Leading Change Now,” held Feb. 1-4, at the Mascone Center, San Francisco, CA, offered a mix of educational and networking opportunities designed to inform and educate attendees on the latest advancements in the industry and share best practices. 2008 Struggles tions putting a severe crimp in the industry’s profit margins, attacks from the media and Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) did not help, Jobe said. “GMA was blaming biofuels for high food prices, during times they were booking record high profits,” Jobe said. The struggles of 2008 were reflected in lower attendance numbers at this year’s convention, at approximately 2,000, compared to 3,500 in 2008, according to Jobe. Indirect Land Use Change operating on B20 and a city-led Biodiesel Task Force, San Francisco has a number of high-profile users and locations that make it the ideal city to host the biodiesel conference. Sustainability Task Force At the conference, the NBB unveiled The conference, sponsored by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), reviewed 2008, and looked forward to the future of the industry. “2008 was an extraordinary year, with sustained record-high oil prices topping the inflation-adjusted all-time high set in 1979,” said NBB CEO Joe Jobe. In addition, indirect land use changes have been connected with biofuels, with a study saying biofuels cause other nations to displace rainforests for biofuels crops. “There is only one major study that concludes that United States biofuels policy results in harmful land changes in foreign countries in a way that has a detrimental carbon impact,” Jobe said. “But that study, blindly accepted by much of the media, has been widely discredited by much of the science community.” Educational Sessions NBB CEO Joe Jobe talked about the industry struggles in 2008. Actress Daryl Hannah has been an advocate for biodiesel. “Biodiesel has to operate in the delta between the energy commodity markets and ag commodity markets, both of which are volatile,” he added. “Biodiesel producers were really susceptible to all of these changes and transitions.” In addition to the commodity fluctua- Educational sessions focused on original equipment manufacturers/automakers, sustainability, fuel production, technical updates, fuel distribution, policy/ regulations, and markets and users. The conference included addresses by Grammy and Academy Award winning musician Melissa Etheridge and actress Daryl Hannah. Both are environmental and sustainability activists who support and use biodiesel. San Francisco’s Example Jobe has described San Francisco as an “inspiration” to the biodiesel industry. In addition to the 1,500 city vehicles a formalized list of principles to guide the industry on issues of sustainability. The NBB’s Sustainability Task Force had developed and passed the principles that demonstrate the industry’s commitment to climate change mitigation, human rights, food security, and respect for natural resources. “We are already providing a very sustainable fuel, and these principles are another way we’re ensuring that as our industry grows it continues to increase quality of life, safeguard the environment, and strengthen economies,” said Emily Landsburg, chair of the Sustainability Task Force. “Biodiesel improves air quality, it’s renewable, and it’s creating green-collar jobs in our communities.” 80 BFJ | JAN/FEB 09

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009

Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009 Contents Safety Training Expanding Safety Pays Top 2008 OSHA Citations Ethanol Terminal Safety Preventing Falls Fighting Ethanol Fires Biodiesel Safety Bridgeport Ethanol John Kruse, Global Insight Barley Ethanol New DDGS Market—Fish Mary Beth Stanek, General Motors RINs As Commodity POET BioRefining Ethanol Pipeline—Florida DDGS Causing E. coli Community College Biofuels Ethanol Plants in the Pipeline State Report: Ohio Ethanol World Profile: Adam Dunlap, BlueFire Ethanol When to Harvest Switchgrass, Miscanthus Indirect Land Use Change Profile: Greg Olson, POET-Corning Growth Energy Monthly Ethanol Production Case Study: Fuelzyme Ethanol Industry News Greg Poe, Ethanol Pilot Sponsored by Fagen Inc. Blackhawk Biodiesel Biodiesel Roundup Biodiesel World Peanut Biodiesel Pennycress Biodiesel Radish Biodiesel Profile: Joe Korpi, Renewable Energy Group Biodiesel Convention NBB Eye on Biodiesel Awards Calendar of Events Cellulosic Ethanol Plants Under Construction Cellulosic Ethanol Plants Construction Map Breaking Cellulosic Ground Show Me’s Collecting Biomass Inland Empire Oilseeds POET’s Project Liberty Update Vermeer’s Cob Harvester Iowa State Cob Harvest Research Europe’s Energy Parks Imported Deere Cob Harvest Kit/Case IH Coskata Sugar/Mascoma Update Range Fuels Update Tom Warne, Schutte-Buffalo Hammermill University of Illinois Biofuels Master’s Roger Ladig, Laidig Systems, Inc. Miscanthus vs. Switchgrass Biofuels Automation Scott Martin, LeMar Industries Biodiesel Financing EISENMANN Corp. GATX / Beta Tec ProSonics / S.K. Patil DOE Grant Action Unloaders Ad Index

Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009

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