DTF webinar to focus on biodiesel policies

Posted Sept. 15, 2010

The Diesel Technology Forum will host a 90-minute webinar titled, Biodiesel Policies and Mandates: What's Really Involved. The nonprofit organization has worked for 10 years to promote awareness about clean diesel technology, and the biodiesel-focused webinar to be held Thursday, Sept. 16, is a follow-up to an earlier webinar titled, Biodiesel: Good in Theory, Good in Practice. "The point of the webinar is to talk about some of the trends around the country and the growing use of biodiesel," Dawn Fenton, director of policy for DTF, said.

Featured in the webinar are five speakers closely associated with the industry. "This particular webinar is also looking at the policies that are going on in different states," said Fenton. To accomplish that, Shelby Neal of the NBB will present an overview of state biodiesel policies across the country and on the impact of the RFS2 in his presentation called: Promoting Biodiesel Through Policy. To give perspective on the recent suspension of Massachusetts' biodiesel mandate, Dwayne Breger, director of renewable energy for the state's department of energy resources, will speak and provide a case study. For another state-based case study, Ralph Groschen from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will talk about Minnesota's biodiesel experience and the state's recent move to a B5 mandate.

To complete the forum, there will also be two speakers presenting on fuel quality issues. From the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Randy Jennings will talk about programs to promote fuel quality and the importance of policy enforcement. Dr. Juergen Fischer will give an overview of the biodiesel quality management system in Germany and its relevance for the U.S. Fenton said DTF hopes to show during the webinar that fuel quality is continuing to improve.

As for the tax incentive and the questions on its importance and status, Fenton said that she hopes the webinar will be able to look beyond that, because there are significant benefits for growing biodiesel use.