Highest biodiesel awards honor industry champions

Few states have as significant an impact on environmental regulations as the state of California. As the industry honored those who have made significant impacts on the biodiesel industry during the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in San Diego recently, it is fitting that multiple award winners reside within the Golden State.

“The biodiesel industry would not be what it is without champions and supporters like these Eye on Biodiesel honorees,” said National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe.“We are proud to honor our award winners who have made a substantial impact in getting biodiesel to where it is today, a fully commercialized advanced biofuel that is produced from coast to coast.”

The honorees NBB recognized with the 2014 Eye on Biodiesel awards are:

Impact: The California Air Resources Board. The State of California continues to serve as a national and world leader in regulations related to environmental sustainability, and the California Air Resources Board is at the heart of those efforts.

Innovation: General Motors, the B20-Approved Chevrolet Cruze. General Motors continues to be a leading biodiesel supporter among OEMs. This year the company took another step forward introducing the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel—the first light-duty diesel passenger sedan in the U.S. to be fully approved for use with B20 blends.

Industry Partnership: Kirk Leeds, Iowa Soybean Association. Kirk Leeds, CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association, has been a leader among soybean organizations in supporting biodiesel efforts since the industry’s inception. ISA’s support of NBB over the years has allowed the industry to prepare and face the challenges of being a billion-plus-gallon advanced biofuel.

Inspiration: Len Hering, RADM, USN, California Center for Sustainable Energy. Rear Admiral Len Hering Sr. (U.S. Navy, retired), is a prominent military and civilian sustainability leader instrumental in bringing B20 to naval bases. In his 32 years of Navy service he was known as a top expert in base operations and facility support with an emphasis on sustainability.

Along with the annual Eye on Biodiesel awards, NBB also honored Don Borgman of John Deere, and Mike Haas of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service with Lifetime Achievement awards.