Willie Nelson has been a founder and key contributor in the funding of our work at the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance. Today, largely because of Willie, we are at a major milestone as we begin the final review process of our auditable certification program. We are thrilled to make this announcement on Willie's birthday! As we move into the messaging and implementation phase of certifying those who are engaging in truly sustainable biodiesel practices, the board of directors of the SBA would like to express our gratitude to our larger-than-life patron as well as to all of our supporters throughout the years.

Warmest aloha and happiest birthday wishes, Willie!

Kelly King
Chair, Board of Directors

Congress Reinstates $1 Biodiesel Tax Credit

This week the U.S. biodiesel industry applauded as the U.S. House cleared a year end fiscal package that reinstates the biodiesel tax incentive for 2012 and 2013. President Obama is expected to quickly sign the bill into law.

“It's been a long year with a lot of missed opportunity and lost jobs in the biodiesel industry,” said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board. “But we're pleased that Congress has finally approved an extension so that we can get production back on track. This is not an abstract issue. In the coming months, because of this decision, we'll begin to see real economic impacts with companies expanding production and hiring new employees.”

The biodiesel tax incentive expired on Dec. 31, 2011. A recent study found that the industry would have produced an additional 300 million gallons this year with the tax incentive in place. That would have supported some 19,213 additional jobs, for a total of 83,258 jobs supported by the industry nationwide, according to the study, conducted by Cardno ENTRIX, an international economics consulting firm. Looking to next year, the study found that the industry would support some 112,078 jobs nationally with the tax credit in place versus 81,977 without it. Additionally, the return of the incentive is projected to increase household income by some $1.6 billion next year while supporting an additional $3.1 billion in GDP.

MTo read the complete article at BiodieselMagazine.com CLICK HERE

 

SBA FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA

This week Michael Bowman was one of twelve White House Champions of Change Alumni who met with President Obama in celebration of the program’s one year anniversary.  The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector has been highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, have been recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

Since the program began, the White House has hosted over forty Champions of Change events honoring over 500 individuals from all 50 states for their work in their community. This event highlights the great accomplishments the alumni have achieved since initially being honored as White House Champions of Change.

“We created the Champions of Change program to honor ordinary Americans who are doing extraordinary things,” said President Obama.  “By making their communities better places to live, our Champions are helping to ensure that our country’s best days lie ahead.”

Michael Bowman, a Make It in America Champion, is a fifth-generation native of Colorado from the northeastern community of Wray, Colorado. Throughout his adult life he has been active in the rural development initiatives both nationally and internationally. He serves on the National Steering Committee for “25x25” was a founding member of the alliance.  He is also a founding board member of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance and Shadowcliff, a Colorado-based environmental non-profit education facility in Grand County.

Learn more about the White House Champions of Change program at www.whitehouse.gov/champions.

 

SBA JOINS CAMPUS CONSCIOUSNESS TOUR

Since 2006 REVERB has hosted The Campus Consciousness Tour. The tour visits colleges across the country and brings some of the hottest new artists along with environmental non-profit groups to create an all day campus experience including educational activities and an evening concert. This Spring the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance is adding their expertise to the national tour as the official Biodiesel Partner of Campus Consciousness.

“This isn’t the first time the SBA has teamed up with REVERB. The SBA has supported the efforts of the organization since 2009 when we participated in our first CCT” Said SBA Executive Director Jeff Plowman. “We are excited to be a part of such an important tour.”

The SBA has worked with REVERB closely over the years to assist artists in sourcing the most local, and sustainable biodiesel (and biodiesel blends) available in concert markets. This year the SBA will team up with CCT to educate the artists and the fans alike on the benefits of community-based, sustainable biodiesel. Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance materials and information will be onsite at 15 campuses on this year’s tour in an effort to expand the membership and supporter base for the organization and raise student awareness. Fans of the Alliance (old and new) will be able to get up to date information on the benefits of community-based biodiesel, sign up for SBA newsletters and register for SBA membership during the daytime activities at each CCT location.

In addition to providing fuel support for the tour, and educational programs for concert goers, the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance will be running an online contest through the SBA FaceBook page for those that attend the concerts and those who support the organization online. The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance will be giving away a very special CCT 2012 Gear pack, including a custom CCT hoodie, CCT water bottle and CCT T-shirt to the winner of the online contest. To get involved watch the SBA FaceBook page for updates and when you see a CCT 2012 post ‘LIKE’ it for your chance to win.

For more information on REVERB and the Campus Consciousness Tour click HERE.

SBA Member Texas Green Newest BQ-9000 Certified Biodiesel Producer

Founded in 2009 Texas Green sources local and regional beef tallow to produce upwards of a million gallons of biodiesel every year. The company focuses on the local agricultural community, supplying fuel to many of the areas farmers and dairies. Texas Green has been a supporting member of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance since 2010. In the Summer of 2010 they partnered with the SBA on Texas dates of the Jack Johnson tour as part of the Reverb Eco-Village. The company is a great example of what community-based biodiesel can mean to local rural communities.

“It has always been our mission to supply local markets with a quality alternative to petroleum based fuels. The beef tallow we use in production is sourced from Hereford, TX which is located less than 60 miles from our plant and we concentrate on marketing our product to local end users and regional users in north and central Texas who care about the sustainability and the quality of their fuel ”. said Owner and Plant Manager Jeffrey Bigham.

Texas Green hopes to expand in the future and be able to give more consumers access to consciously produced fuel. “We hope to be able to provide an option that makes sense to diesel users, while at the same time making a difference to our community and our planet both economically and environmentally” said Bigham.

For more information on Texas Green manufacturing Click HERE

SMYRNA, GEORGIA - FUELING WITH UCO

The way Smyrna’s fleet of city vehicles is headed, starting next month the air will be a little cleaner and occasionally residents might catch a whiff of french fries or fried doughnuts when a truck drives past.

The trucks will be running on a fuel mix that includes biodiesel, which is repurposed cooking oil the city plans to collect from as many as 150 restaurants that fry food. They will donate the oil rather than pay to have it disposed of.

Smyrna is joining at least two other Georgia cities — Roswell and Tybee Island on the Georgia coast — in making use of Department of Energy federal stimulus funds to start and run biodiesel programs for their fleets. Biodiesel can be used interchangeably with petroleum-based diesel with little or no modifications to vehicles.

City officials said the $208,000 DOE grant that entirely funds the program is almost as beneficial for city sewers as it is for the air. “We modeled our program after one in Hoover, Ala., and they started it to get the oil out of the sewers,” said Ann Kirk, executive director of Keep Smyrna Beautiful. “That’s one of our main goals, too.”

To read the full article at the Atlanta Journal Constitution CLICK HERE

PIEDMONT FOUNDER RECEIVES RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The founder of Pittsboro based Piedmont Biofuels has been recognized with the National Biodiesel Board’s 2011 “Biodiesel Researcher of the Year” award. Rachel Burton received the award at a ceremony held in Kansas City, Mo.

The award, which focuses on the technical advancement of biodiesel, has traditionally gone to scientists at federal laboratories or universities. Burton has received the award in honor of her work in enzymatic catalysis. According to information released on the award, the process developed by Burton stands to open up the biodiesel industry to a large variety of new feedstocks that have not previously been considered useable for fuel production. In addition, Burton has also worked to advance the NBB’s diesel technicians training program with its recent Automotive Service Excellence accreditation.

To read the full article by Erin Voegele of Biodiesel Magazine CLICK HERE

SBA MEMBERS SEQUENTIAL PACIFIC BIODIESEL 'REACHING NEW HEIGHTS'

A handful of Oregon entrepreneurs entered the biodiesel industry in the past five years with high hopes for what the renewable fuel could bring to the state.

The largest producer of biodiesel in the state, SeQuential Pacific Biodiesel in Salem, recently sold its 10 millionth gallon of biodiesel since 2008 — something the company calls a milestone. "Our plant is reaching new heights every month, and we're going to keep pushing forward," said Tyson Keever, general manager of SeQuential Pacific Biodiesel.

To read the entire article at the Statesman Journal CLICK HERE

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO SBA HONORARY CHAIRMAN, WILLIE NELSON

Willie Nelson has been an outspoken advocate of worthy causes throughout his career. A biodiesel user since 2003, Willie has promoted the renewable fuel through his words and his actions (Nelson’s bus and the buses of his band and crew run on biodiesel). Throughout the ups and downs the industry has experienced, from negative press to challenges with the Federal Government, Willie Nelson has stood by Biodiesel and the industry that creates it.

In 2006 the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance was founded to support sustainable, community-based biodiesel. The SBA was created because ‘All Biodiesel Is Not Created Equal’ and to promote a community-based sustainable, American product. Through his example, his talent, his voice and his pocketbook Willie Nelson has stepped up to support the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance and community-based biodiesel in the United States from the beginning.

In 2007 Willie Nelson and the Family Band played to a capacity crowd at the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance kick off party with the Hard Rock Cafe’s Ambassadors of Rock in Times Square, New York City. Since then Willie has been quick to step up and show his support for the SBA.

On Friday, September 16th, In front of a sold out crowd in Camp Verde, Arizona the amazing Willie Nelson took the stage one more time to benefit the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance and to support the cause of community-based, American biodiesel. When asked why he chooses biodiesel as a petroleum alternative Nelson replied “It’s a cleaner, renewable fuel, That's made in communities and stays in communities.”

Nelsons inspiring performance raised important funds for the work and programs of the organization. Support invaluable to the continuation of programs including retail certification, education and outreach and sustainability tools including evaluation programs for national music tours.

From the entire team at the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, Thank You Mr. Nelson. For your continued support and promotion. All of us can learn from your example. We would not have made it this far if not for you.

SUSTAINABLE RETAIL BIODIESEL IS HERE!

Austin, TX – The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, alongside SBA Business Member companies in three states unveiled the first retail locations scored through the Sustainability Report Card for biodiesel at the nozzle.   SBA Business members participated in t his new system that scores biodiesel based on a host of requirements including: biodiesel feedstock type, feedstock origin, how the fuel was produced and how far it travelled to point of sale.  These questions and many others determine a numeric score for the fuel that translates into a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum rating for the biodiesel. This marks the first time a ‘Sustainability’ assurance program has been used for an alternative fuel at the retail level in the United States. Piedmont Biofuels of Pittsboro North Carolina, Pacific Biodiesel Hawaii and Sequential Biofuels Oregon will offer SBA scored sustainable biodiesel at a total of 8 retail pumps in three states, beginning August 1st, 2011. In addition to these 8 locations, the SBA plans on announcing more retail sites across the country throughout the rest of 2011.

The SBA was founded in 2006 to create an independent certification system for sustainable biodiesel sold in this country” said SBA Executive Director, Jeff Plowman “these are the first of many stations to be scored nation-wide in the coming months.” The SBA teamed up with business members Piedmont Biofuels, Pacific Biodiesel and Sequential Biofuels for the first set of retail locations. "We've been waiting for a sustainability labeling system for years,  and we are delighted that our fuel scored at the top.  Not all  biodiesel is created equal.  Thanks to the SBA the driving public now  has a way to discern the difference between one biodiesel and  another," said Lyle Estill president of Piedmont Biofuels.  “Piedmont is proud to be a member of the SBA and one of the first sites for labeled biodiesel in the U.S.”.
“Transparency is key to making informed decisions” said Jeff Plowman “this scoring tool will help American consumers make informed decisions about their fuel choice and I am confident we will see people choosing a more sustainable product.” While the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance is still working on an independent third party certification system, the retail biodiesel scoring system is clearly the first step toward accomplishing this goal. American consumers have seen successful programs like the Organic Food Certification and Free Trade Certifications take hold with certified retail products in every sector of consumerism. Sustainable, locally produced fuel is a natural next step in efforts to drive purchasing decisions toward local, environmentally and socially friendly products.

San Francisco, CA – The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance and Amazon Watch would like to thank Willie Nelson and Sara Wasserman along with all of the amazing performers who took the stage at the SBA and Amazon Watch Summer Fundraiser in San Francisco. This amazing evening would not have been possible without the dedication of the performers and amazing production crew involved in planning and execuiting such a memorable event.

The SBA and Amazon Watch would also like to thank the people at the Bently Reserve, Sequential Pacific Biodiesel, Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, Veev and Eel River Brewing Company for their sponsorship and support.

The Performers at this unforgettable event included: Dan Hicks, Tommy Castro, Narada Michael Walden, Randy Emata, Jaz Sawyer, Robin Sylvester and members of The Legendary Glide Memorial Choir. In addition to these performers there is a host of individuals who helped make this event happen. Thank you to each and everyone of you, from the team at the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance.

Tune in for more pictures and stories from San Francisco!

SBA REPORT CARD ON THE ROAD AGAIN

2010 marked the first year the SBA’s Sustainability Report Card was put to use on national Summer music tours. Over 90,000 gallons of fuel were tracked, evaluated and scored and over 600,000 concert goers had the chance to learn a little about locally produced, sustainable biodiesel. The program was a huge success, and we are at it again in 2011!

This Summer the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance is taking the Sustainability Report Card on the road again with tours including: The Willie Nelson Country Throwdown Festival, Sheryl Crow 100 Miles From Memphis tour and the 2011 PHISH Summer tour experience. These artists will be using the SBA tools (through a grant from REVERB) to help source and evaluate biodiesel and biodiesel blends on their national tours. In order to purchase and use the most sustainably produced fuel available in every market they visit.

These dedicated artists have chosen to apply greening solutions through REVERB to lessen the negative impact of their tours and to send a message of environmental and social responsibility to their fans. The SBA is proud to be a part of these efforts. For more information on the work of REVERB click HERE or visit www.reverb.org.

SBA Part of USDA / University of Florida Biodiesel Workshop

Ft. Pierce, Florida –The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance was a proud sponsor of a recent Biodiesel Workshop at the USDA Extension office at Ft. Pierce, Florida. Representatives from the USDA, University of Florida and Florida Power and Light were on hand with a host of local farmers considering biodiesel feedstock for use on available land. Representatives from local biodiesel producers and industry stakeholders also attended the event.

The event included an introduction by SBA Board Member Dr. Randall von Wedel and presentations by SBA Member Piedmont Biofuels, Florida Power and Light and the University of Florida. Rachel Burton of Piedmont Biofuels gave a presentation on the new enzymatic technology being designed and developed by Piedmont and Novazym . Florida Power and Light gave a history of their biodiesel use as a fleet and continued commitment to alternative energy.

After a day of presentations and discussion with the stakeholders of Florida’s biodiesel industry the group took a field trip to a new production location in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. GreenWave Biodiesel has just opened a state of the art production facility in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale. This entirely in door production facility will be capable of processing 4 million gallons of biodiesel from used cooking oil each year. The company is also committed to selling their product for use in Florida. “We want to create energy for Florida, from Florida feedstocks” said Eric Lesp’erance, Principal at Green Wave Biodiesel. The event was concluded with a tour of the University of Florida’s experimental oilseed project. Canola, Camolina and Salvia plots using different fertilizer mixes and farming techniques are being tested in the high-sand content soil in order to determine the most effective and profitable feedstocks for the local Florida ag-community.

The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance was excited to be one of the principal sponsors of the event. “Events like this connect the local biodiesel community. The SBA will continue to promote regional efforts like this in order to empower the local biodiesel community.” Said Jeff Plowman, Executive Director of the SBA. For more information on the efforts of the USDA Extension and the University of Florida click HERE or visit the SBA at www.fuelresponsibly.org

US MILITARY SUPPORTS HAWAII BIODIESEL PROGRAM

February 16th, 2011 - - This month Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie introduced a new oilseed crop research program—the Biodiesel Crop Demonstration Project—that will span two years as part of the state’s effort to promote energy security and sustainable local agricultural technologies on the islands. The BDC is a collaborative effort between Pacific Biodiesel Inc., the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center and Army Installation Management Command, Pacific. To read the rest of this article please click HERE. *Bryan Sims -Biodiesel Magazine

PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNS BILL TO REINSTATE FET CREDIT

December 17th, 2010 - - By a vote of 277 to 148, the U.S. House of Representatives extended tax cuts, continued unemployment benefits and brought the year-long struggle of the biodiesel tax credit to a positive end. The biodiesel tax credit is back. On Friday, Dec. 17, President Barack Obama held a press conference to officially sign H.R. 4853, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, into law, and with his signature, the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax credit marred in the political process for all of 2010 will be retroactively reinstated through 2011.

Now, in combination with the required 800 million gallons of biomass-based biodiesel under the 2011 RFS2 and the reinstatement of the tax credit, NBB’s vice president of federal affairs, Manning Feraci said, “The U.S. biodiesel industry is poised for a strong 2011, and stands ready to meet the nation’s advanced biofuel goals.”

WILLIE, WOODY AND CELEBRITY FRIENDS ANTE UP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT!

(Gardena, CA) -- “I might be a loser, but I’m a WINNER...we’re all winners!” exclaimed David Arquette at the first annual charity poker tournament to benefit the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance.  Players from around the country converged on the Hustler Casino Los Angeles for Willie and Woody’s All Star Texas Hold’em Tournament. Celebrities including Larry Flynt, Hank Azaria, Peter Farrelly, Mila Kunis, Anne Heche and David Arquette joined tournament headliners Willie Nelson and Woody Harrelson for an evening of fun at the Hustler Casino Los Angeles on September 26th 2010.

The evenings tournament and silent auction helped raise over $40,000 to support the work of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to promoting community-based sustainable biodiesel in the United States.Because of Americas reliance on imported oil, we simply have no adequate policy for the conservation, production or distribution of fuel and other petroleum products.As a businessman and close friend of Harrelson and Nelson, I was happy to support their important work towards a more effective energy policy. The evening was a great success and Hustler was proud to take part.said Larry Flynt.

The tournament wound up at 3am Tuesday morning and when the dust cleared after 7 hours of play, Kelly King of Pacific Biodiesel won first place in the field of 59 players.  Terry Robert Doering, Jeff Scott, James “Butch” Worley and Rob Walker rounded out the top five places in the tournament.

SUSTAINABLE BIODIESEL ALLIANCE TEAMS UP WITH JACK JOHNSON FOR 'TO THE SEA' TOUR

Friday July 9th – Hartford, CT  The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance was proud to be a part of the kick off shows on Jack Johnson’s ‘To The Sea Tour’. The SBA teamed up with local Connecticut Biodiesel Producer BioPur and displayed educational information on the benefits of community-based sustainable biodiesel. Concert-goers were excited to learn that biodiesel blends are available throughout New England for on road and home furnace heat uses.

The SBA asked booth visitors to take the time to write a letter to their Senators asking for the reinstatement of the Federal Biodiesel Blenders Credit. In only a matter of hours the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance collected 43 letters to the U.S. Senate. Across the country the biodiesel industry is struggling to provide a local, green alternative fuel at a competitive price. The FET credit allows these producers to sell their product for the same or close to the price of petroleum diesel, giving consumers a real economically feasible choice. READ MORE