The year 2007 marks the 15th anniversary of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), though it may have been called something different in 1992. At its founding, the organization promoting biodiesel was called the National SoyDiesel Development Board, as farmers initiated the research in biodiesel made from soy oil.

However, farmers had a vision that biodiesel would come to require additional, varied feedstocks. So, the board consisting primarily of farmers voted on a name-and policy-change to encompass all feedstocks that could make up biodiesel. The NBB was born and since then has radically grown.

From its modest beginnings of approximately 10 members, all of which were state soybean associations, the NBB now has over 400 voting companies, associate-member companies and individuals. Members range from farm groups to biodiesel producers to technology providers and petroleum companies.

Other accomplishments have included:
--Passage of the blenders' tax credit for biodiesel, as well as other state and national laws

--The creation of National Biodiesel Day in 2002

--Establishment of the National Biodiesel Conference in 2004, which grows in size annually

--The creation of the Web site www.biodiesel.org, which has helped establish the NBB as the best source for credible biodiesel information

--Establishment of the BQ-9000 voluntary quality control program, which has rapidly grown in participation during the past two years

--The creation of a Washington, D.C., office in 2006, which spearheads lobbying efforts on behalf of the biodiesel industry.