Discovery Channel Documentary Spotlights Biodiesel

The Discovery Channel’s documentary Hot Grease made its official debut this fall bringing the story of the biodiesel industry to a national audience after nearly two years in the making.

“I don’t know if the film crew fully appreciated the scope of what they were stepping into when biodiesel first piqued their interest,” said Jessica Robinson, director of communications at the National Biodiesel Board. “Not surprisingly, biodiesel’s story—the amazing entrepreneurs and dedicated workers who make that story so powerful—pulled them in. Hot Grease shares a glimpse into that story with Discovery viewers, showcasing what the industry is about and what we’re up against.”

NBB received a phone call from producers Sam Wainwright Douglas, Paul Lovelace and Jessica Wolfson in early spring 2016 with questions revolving around a story of used cooking oil being stolen from restaurants. One question led to another and each phone call led to additional follow-up. By the time it was over, the film was a full-on biodiesel industry feature with footage from NBB member meetings and events, as well as interviews with several familiar faces in biodiesel, including Robinson; former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-North Dakota, and Gene Gebolys, founder and CEO of World Energy.

“Biodiesel is a solution to many of our country’s biggest issues—job losses, air pollution and energy insecurity,” said Dorgan. “This fuel embodies the ingenuity and entrepreneurship that this nation is all about, so I’m glad that there is now a new way to elevate biodiesel awareness with the American people.”  

The Discovery Impact documentary Hot Grease debuted Nov. 16 on Discovery, following its premiere at the prestigious DOC NYC festival. The film is now available on Discovery Go and Discovery On Demand. Directors Douglas, Lovelace and Wolfson are set to appear on the main stage at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in January.