"On, Wisconsin!" State Leadership Promotes Renewable Energy

Jeff Pieterick, President, WBA
from Wisconsin Biodiesel Assocation Newsletter
November 26, 2007
Click here to signup to receive the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association Newsletter

"Leadership is a word that is often diminished in impact for the number of times it is claimed. Sometimes, however, there is simply no other word to use in describing effective, forward-looking efforts made on behalf of the common good."

Read complete op/ed piece here>>

Wisconsin Renewable Energy Summit Milwaukee March 12-14

Radloff to Chair Midwest Ag Energy Summit

from Wisconsin Biodiesel Association news service:

The Second Annual Conference of the Midwest Ag Energy Network is scheduled for February 5-6 at Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. Gary Radloff from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has been chosen to Chair this year's event.

Last year's event in St. Paul was well-attended by representatives of renewable energy agencies from state and federal government along with an impressive group of industry stakeholders from throughout the Midwest. US Secretary of Ag Collin Peterson addressed the group to discuss the pending Farm Bill. Meanwhile, an effective series of breakout sessions explored the creation of state and federal policies in support of biofuels and other renewable energy. A recap of last year's conference, including a full summit report on recommendations and findings, can be accessed here.

This conference in Madison should provide terrific opportunity to learn what's on the horizon for the further development of our country's renewable energy industry. WBA encourages you to make arrangements now to attend.

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WBA participating in WI-DNR "Diesel Workgroup"

from the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association news service:

Curbing greenhouse gases and reducing pollution are the objectives of an industry workgroup convened within the state.

The Wisconsin Biodiesel Association is a participant in the workgroup formed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR). This group is a voluntary collaborative of different diesel fleets and fleet association representatives, vehicle and emission equipment manufacturers, and government agencies that all have an interest and stake in reducing mobile diesel emissions.

Strategies such as limiting engine idling through use of on-board gen-sets on commercial vehicles and other technologies are being explored, as is review of policies and practices within the transportation industry.

According to WBA President Jeff Pieterick, biodiesel has a clear role to play to meet the objectives of the workgroup. "Carbon reduction in our transportation fuels is becoming a priority for the public who are becoming increasingly alarmed about global warming." claims Pieterick. "Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is immediately available to make an impact by reducing the carbon footprint of our fuel while providing additional 'clean air' benefits.

"We welcome the opportunity to represent the state's biodiesel industry within this group of industry leaders concerned about the environment. It presents a terrific opportunity to introduce Wisconsin biodiesel to the end consumers and help promote biodiesel as an effective home grown fuel for a better Wisconsin."

Biofuels at the Pump is Goal for Doyle and Midwest Governors Association

Biodiesel Easily Introduced to Market as Tool to Combat Greenhouse Gases
from Red Herring: The Business of Technology:
20 November 2007, 11:03by Justin Moresco

Governors of Midwestern U.S. states on Thursday committed to ambitious targets for the distribution and consumption of renewable fuels, marking the third U.S. regional bloc of states to form a pact aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Midwestern alliance is the first major group to set specific targets for E85, the fuel made from a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. By 2025, they want 33 percent of gas stations, or around 9,700 locations, in the region to offer E85. They also want at least 50 percent of all transportation energy consumed in the region to be supplied by locally produced biofuels, such as ethanol fuel or biodiesel, by 2025.

The Midwestern targets could be a boon for companies trying to find easy ways for gas stations to store and distribute biofuels, @Ventures principal Rob Day said.

“Some people are working on building stand-alone stations that only offer biofuels,” he said. “But they will be competing with traditional gas stations, and it is capital intensive.”

E85 cannot be distributed or stored in existing gasoline tanks because of its ethanol content. Distributors and gas stations will have to build new facilities or retrofit existing ones before they can deal in E85.

Existing vehicles will also have to be retrofitted to run on E85. But some other biofuels, such as biodiesel, can be used in any diesel engine.

Governors of Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and the premier of Manitoba endorsed the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord. With 22 percent of the U.S. population, the Midwest emits 27 percent of U.S. greenhouse gases and uses just under a quarter of all energy consumed in the country, according to the Midwestern Governors Association.

Read More>>

Biodiesel Quality Summit a "Quality Event"

Wisconsin Clean Cities hosts effective outreach effort
from Wisconsin Biodiesel Association news service:

Nearly 100 people were in attendance at The Wisconsin Summit on Biodiesel Quality that was convened in Pewaukee on Monday, November 19th. The event was hosted by Wisconsin Clean Cities - Southeast Area as an effort to establish effective quality assurance policies and procedures for the Wisconsin biodiesel consumer market. (see Wisconsin Clean Cities press release)

Judy Ziewacz, Director of the state's Office of Energy Independence (OEI), presented a brief overview of Wisconsin's Biodiesel Industry. The primary focus of her remarks was set upon the importance of creating sound government policy and procedures that will best assure the quality of the biodiesel product made available to consumers. Other speakers and participants throughout the day reinforced the need for government oversight to ensure product quality while offering specific examples of how this is accomplished elsewhere throughout the industry.

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Presentations Available from Emerson Biofuels Conference Held in Madison

from Wisconsin Biodiesel Association news service:

(Madison, WI) Nearly 150 people were in attendance at Monona Terrace in Madison for the Biofuels Conference in Madison on November 6th. This highly informative event was organized by Emerson/NOVASpect Process Management Solutions.

T. Randall Fortenbery is a Professor at the Renk Agribusiness Institute within the University of Wisconsin Dept. of Ag and Applied Economics and School of Business. A renowned ag economist, Fortenbery highlighted the session with a look at present commodity markets and their impact on the biofuels industry. He also offered an encouraging glimpse into the leadership role Wisconsin is taking in creating a sustainable biodiesel/biofuels industry. (See links below to download a copy of the presentation.)

Clink on links to download MS PowerPoint Presentations offered at the Biodiesel/Biofuels Seminar

T. Randal Fortenbery
Future of the Biodiesel/Biofuels Industry
John Riley, Emerson Systems Representative
Opportunities in Biofuel Automation
Jeff Pieterick, President, Wisconsin Biodiesel AssocIation
Biodiesel Project Development Considerations

(NOTE: All Presentations are offered in .pdf format. Large file size may require patience during download.)

"It's Starting to Look Like a Love Affair with Diesell"

from Wisconsin Biodiesel Association News Service:

Jeff Pieterick, President, WBA
from Wisconsin Biodiesel Assocation Newsletter
November 5, 2007
Click here to signup to receive the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association Newsletter

"It's starting to look like a love affair with diesel!"

And for all the right reasons, too!

The advent of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) mandated in 2006 has opened the door for diesel engines to be offered to US consumers, and the carmakers are driving right through with diesel options to offer.

The new technology "clean diesels" provide fewer emissions and much greater efficiency than their gasoline counterparts. Fuel economy improvements of more than 25% over gasoline are common. (Just ask the neighbor driving the VW TDi and he'll tell you all about a comfortable and roomy ride at upwards of 50mpg.)

Europe has long trended toward diesel power, with over 50% of their automobiles powered by the compression ignition (diesel) engine. The US diesel engine option has been stuck at @3% market penetration, but that's about to change. "Clean diesel" prevails, with result that these European models (and domestic variations) now meet and exceed the most stringent air emission requirements in the country, including those of the California Air Regulatory Board (CARB).

The efficiencies and environmental benefit to be gained by these engines is not unnoticed in the marketplace. In 2005, JD Power and Associates surveyed carbuyers and found that the same demographic that bought the Toyota Prius hybrid were also purchasing VW TDi's. They identified these impressive Volkswagens and their diesel power as Alternative Fuel Vehicles, made even more "Green" with the use of biodiesel.

Read more>>

UPDATE: "Quality Summit" Nov. 19th in Pewaukee

Monday, November 19, 2007
Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center
Pewaukee, WI

Newly Updated! Click Here For Summit Agenda!

Hoon Ge, a renowned national expert on biodiesel quality, will keynote the "Wisconsin Summit on Biodiesel Quality" in Pewaukee on November 19th. The event is sponsored jointly by The Wisconsin Biodiesel Association, Wisconsin Clean Cities - Southeast Area, Inc., the National Biodiesel Board, and other allied industry representatives.

Ge is a fuels consultant to the National Biodiesel Board and is also administrator of the 1-800-BIODIESEL Hotline. He will present on the topic of "The ABC's of Biodiesel Quality & the BQ-9000 National Quality Program."

Chuck Neece from Minnesota will also address the Summit, sharing some of his experience as the Director of New Business Development for FUMPA (Farmer's Union Marketing and Processing Association) Biofuels. He is scheduled to speak about "The Quest for Quality: Minnesota’s Experience and Beyond."

Various breakout sessions will be scheduled throughout the day, and effort will be made by the close of day to arrive at a biodiesel quality policy statement for Wisconsin biodiesel.

Please mark the date on your calendar, and check back here for news and updates on the Wisconsin Summit on Biodiesel Quality.

For more Summit information, including details on registration, agenda, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, contact:

Francis X. Vogel, Exec. Director,

Wisconsin Clean Cities - 414-221-4958

mailto:francis.xvogel@we-energies.com.

List of Alternative Fuel Sites Available at EIA Website

from federaltimes.com:
By TIM KAUFFMAN
November 01, 2007

One of the most challenging aspects of driving an alternative fuel vehicle is finding refueling stations. But an Energy Department Web site makes the task easier.

The department’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center — www.eere.energy.gov/afdc — has several online tools for locating refueling stations.

As of Oct. 18, the site listed 5,628 alternative refueling stations nationwide offering one of the following seven fuel types: compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, E-85, electricity, biodiesel, hydrogen and liquefied natural gas.

Read More>>