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ASTM Approves New Biodiesel Blend Specifications
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On June 19, the ASTM International D02 Main Committee approved a trio of long-awaited ASTM specifications for biodiesel:
- A new specification for blends of between 6 percent biodiesel (B6) to 20 percent biodiesel (B20) for on and off-road diesel.
- Finished specifications to include up to 5% biodiesel (B5) in the conventional petrodiesel specification (ASTM D 975)
- Changes to the existing B100 biodiesel blend stock specification (ASTM D 6751)
The new ASTM specifications for B6 – B20 blends will aid engine manufacturers in their engine design and testing processes to optimize the performance of vehicles running on biodiesel.
"The new ASTM spec for B6 – B20 is a major building block in GM's efforts to elevate biodiesel as part of our overall energy diversity strategy," said John Gaydash, Director of Marketing for General Motors Fleet and Commercial Operations. "We are eager to work with the National Biodiesel Board on efforts to continue to ensure biodiesel fuel quality, as well as to increase our support for biodiesel use in our diesel vehicle lineup."
The main change to the existing B100 biodiesel blend stock specification was updating cold soak filtration testing to ensure the cloud point is still an accurate indicator of low temperature performance. Automakers and engine manufacturers have been requesting a finished blend specification for B20 biodiesel blends for several years, with some citing the need for that spec as the single greatest hurdle preventing their full-scale acceptance of B20 use in their diesel vehicles.
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Grassley: Major Food Company Leaders Won’t Defend Policies of Trade Association
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U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) recently canceled a meeting with the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) when only one industry executive accepted his invitation. Grassley requested the meeting with 15 CEOs of companies that are prominent members of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. He attributed the lack of interest by the members to the fact that they may not believe in the tactics being used by the association.
After exposing the documented GMA public relations campaign to discredit biofuels, Grassley passionately refuted it as an "intellectually dishonest and economically unfactual" biofuels smear campaign.
In recent comments to the National Biodiesel Board, Grassley told biodiesel industry leaders that "the biggest culprit behind the rising food cost is $135 barrel oil. This (GMA) campaign is led by an organization that should be a loyal member of the food chain. Instead, they are making biofuels the scapegoat to defend their own bottom line. The truth is that America's family farmers are producing more food, and fuel, than ever before."
Grassley also stated that he will continue to press for an extension of the biodiesel tax incentive, which is currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate after passing in the House of Representatives as part of H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008.
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NBB Welcomes Two Governing Board Members
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The National Biodiesel Board welcomes biodiesel producers Greg Hopkins of US Biofuels, and Scott Johnson of GEN-X Energy Group to the governing board.
Hopkins, CEO of US Biofuels, has 35 years experience in the biodiesel and chemical engineering fields, and is involved in several chemical production associations. US Biofuels, a multi-feedstock biodiesel producer, is based in Rome, Ga. Johnson, president & CEO of GEN-X, has had extensive experience in the food processing industry in capacities ranging from operations to quality assurance. GEN-X is a multi-feedstock producer based in Burbank, Wash.
The governing board consists of biodiesel and feedstock producers. These governing board members were elected during last month’s NBB board meeting in a special election to fill two recently vacant positions.
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Shelby Neal Joins NBB in State Governmental Affairs
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State regulation of biodiesel is becoming more and more important to ensure availability and quality of the fuel, as well as state economic benefits. Shelby Neal comes to the NBB with ten years of hands-on lobbying experience at the federal and state level, including a position with Missouri Governor Matt Blunt. His experience also includes consulting with agricultural and biodiesel customers.
Much of Shelby's career in the public service sector has been focused on agriculture and energy. He authored the "Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard," which requires most Missouri gasoline to contain 10 percent ethanol. He also authored two of the first ever value-added agriculture bills to be signed into law by the President. In his new position as the Director of State Governmental Affairs for the NBB, Shelby will focus on the needs of industry stakeholders around the country.
Shelby takes the place of Scott Hughes who made great strides in ensuring appropriate state regulations during his six year tenure at NBB. The NBB is grateful to Scott for moving the industry forward and wishes him great success in the Laborers International Union, who he has represented previously in his career.
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NBB Technical Associates Honored
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Two biodiesel advocates and subcontractors of the National Biodiesel Board have been recognized for their achievements. The first, Steve Howell, was presented with an award of appreciation from ASTM for leading the effort to continue to develop biodiesel blend specifications. As the NBB Technical Director and Chairman of the ASTM Biodiesel Task Force, Howell has spent much of the last five years pulling industry constituents, including testing organizations as well as petroleum and engine communities, together to agree on quality specifications.
This effort culminated in the successful passage of new ASTM specifications for B6-B20 blends, thus aiding engine manufacturers in design and testing to optimize performance when running on biodiesel. Howell has been on board with the NBB for 15 years.
ASG Renaissance has also received several awards for its work on behalf of the NBB. Jennifer Weaver (pictured 2nd from right) and Brendan Prebo (middle) won a Gold Hermes Creative Award for their article "Driving on Biodiesel," which was published in the winter 2007 edition of maxxTORQUE magazine. The Hermes Awards are presented by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals. ASG also brought home an Award of Excellence in the 2008 Renaissance Awards, presented by the Detroit Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for the NBB Biodiesel Training Toolkit.
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Case Construction Approves B20
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Case Construction Equipment has approved the use of B20 blends for more than 85 percent of its construction equipment including trucks, dozers, excavators, forklifts, loaders and more. The biodiesel must meet ASTM D 6751 fuel specifications and Case recommends that customers use biodiesel from BQ-9000 accredited suppliers.
"Case is proudly leading the construction industry to help lower customers' fuel costs and make a positive impact on the environment," said Jim Hasler, vice president, Case Construction Equipment, North America. "Using biodiesel to power Case equipment reduces our dependence on foreign oil and increases our U.S.-based energy production."
"Biodiesel adds lubricity to the fuel, which is beneficial in many circumstances, particularly as sulfur and aromatics are removed from the fuel," said Ray Good, engine application manager, Case Construction Equipment. "Biodiesel has a higher cetane number and burns cleaner with less particulates and smoke emissions. It is also fully biodegradable and nontoxic."
Case Construction Equipment sells and supports a full line of construction equipment around the world.
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Earthrace Smashes Record, Other Boating Record is Broken Using Biodiesel
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Rising from the ashes of it first attempt, Earthrace has smashed the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by speedboat. Earthrace traveled the 24,000 nautical miles fueled by biodiesel to demonstrate the efficiency of alternative fuel sources. The trimaran sailed into the Spanish port of Sagunto on June 27, 14 days ahead of the previous world record.
"This fantastic team of people and our astonishing boat have broken the record by a massive margin," said skipper Pete Bethune of New Zealand. "I finally feel that all the sacrifices made, especially by my wife and daughters, have been worth it. I don't even know how to begin to thank all the individuals and companies that have supported us along the way." To see more pictures and learn more, click here.
In May, the crew of the Miss GEICO offshore racing boat made history by speeding from Annapolis, Md., to Baltimore in just 10 minutes, 31 seconds. Reaching speeds of 185 mph, they broke the record of 14 minutes, seven seconds. Miss Geico features a pair of biodiesel-fueled turbine engines generating a total of 3700 horsepower. "It's just to have fun, and to prove that we can be environmentally friendly and a 200 mile-per-hour boat," said Mike Yowaiski, Assistant Marketing Representative for AFM Offshore Racing, home of the Miss GEICO team.
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Better Homes & Gardens Tour, Other Events and Fleets "Green" Their Vehicles
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Biodiesel blends are powering the Better Homes and Gardens and Green Works Living Green Tour, which kicked off on February 29 and runs thru October 31. The 2,500-square foot "Living Green Home" showcases earth-friendly options for the home and the trucks that transport the displays across the country run on biodiesel.
Also this summer the United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff is partnering with the National Tractor Pullers Association to demonstrate the great engine performance soy biodiesel provides. The soybean checkoff is supplying NTPA with soy biodiesel to power pulling sleds and fuel official NTPA transport vehicles throughout the pulling season.
Nationally recognized as one of the country's "greenest" fleets, the New York City Parks Department held its 20th annual truck and equipment show in June, offering other city agencies and local municipal fleets an opportunity to see green fleet technology including biodiesel. The NYC Parks Dept. fleet currently runs all of its 800 diesel-powered trucks on B20 biodiesel and is about to launch a 50-truck pilot test using B50, according to Keith Kerman, the Parks chief of operations.
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New Innovative Retailers Sell Biodiesel
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Yesterday, Zarco 66 Earth Friendly Fuels, and Dresser Wayne, global marketer of fuel dispensers and technologies, opened the first-ever EPA-designated Green Gateway Fuel Station in Lawrence, Kansas. Zarco 66 is leveraging Dresser Wayne technology along with innovative earth conscious practices to transform an existing fueling station into an eco-friendly site. Zarco 66 sells ethanol blends and biodiesel in blends from B2 to B99, blended at the pump. Zarco 66 showcases how other fuel stations can “go green” using sustainable technology, practices and materials throughout the station. You can find out more at www.zarco66.com.
To the East, Fuel Bio and Plaza Marine have opened the first marine biodiesel fueling station in the New York Metropolitan area. The seaside fueling station offers marine vessels the convenience of filling up with any blend of biodiesel desired. This major marine fueling station specifically targets local tugboats, barges, transport ships, and other large scale marine vessels that consume diesel. Fuel Bio is a National Biodiesel Board member.
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Government Biodiesel Users Receive Top Environmental Honors
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Six government biodiesel users were honored on June 10, when they were presented with the prestigious 2008 White House Closing the Circle Award during a ceremony in Washington, DC. The federal government's top environmental honor recognizes government agencies and their employees' efforts to have a positive impact on the environment. This year, biodiesel played a major role in several of the winners’ overall environmental stewardship efforts.
The winners and honorable mention recipients that use biodiesel blends include: The U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton, California; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina; Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington; Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Georgia; and the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Tennessee.
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Upcoming Events
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Faster Freight - Cleaner Air East Coast
Faster Freight - Cleaner Air
July 8-10, 2008
Jacob K. Javits Center
New York City
www.ffcaeastcoast.com
Algae Commercialization and Networking Forum
National Algae Association
July 17, 2008
The Woodlands, Texas
www.nationalalgaeassociation.com
Biodiesel Technology Workshop
Iowa State University
July 21-25, 2008
BEACON facility and Country Inn and Suites
Ames, Iowa
www.me.iastate.edu/biodiesel
Financing Options for Equipment Acquisition
Biodiesel Financial Services & AllThingsBiodiesel.com
July 22, 2008
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM CDT
Space is limited
Reserve your Webinar seat now here
14th Annual OPIS Fleet Fueling Conf & Exhibition
OPIS
September 21-23, 2008
Hyatt Regency
Atlanta, Georgia
www.opisnet.com/fleetfueling/agenda.html
National Biodiesel Conference & Expo
National Biodiesel Board
Feb. 1-4, 2009
San Francisco, CA
www.biodieselconference.org
Please visit "biodiesel events" on biodiesel.org for more.
The Biodiesel Family of Web Sites
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