We are on the cusp of a new era in U.S. biodiesel, a transitional period between the chaos of the unknown and the order of predictability.

By June 1, the U.S. EPA will do what it should have done long ago—release its proposed biomass-based diesel volume requirements under RFS, not only for last year and this year, but also for 2016-’17. The proposal is currently under review at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget.

Joe Jobe, the CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, has a meeting with OMB shortly before he will be a featured speaker on Biodiesel Magazine’s free webinar May 28 at 2 pm Central time, titled “Biomass-based Diesel Projects: Moving Forward With Renewed Market Stability.” 

I talked with Joe Jobe yesterday and he plans to cover a lot of important material May 28, information you won’t want to miss.

In addition to discussing the imminent release of the 2014-’17 volume proposals fresh off his meeting with OMB, Jobe will talk about the NBB’s position on appropriate volumes and the extensive modeling process it employs to determine those figures.

He tells me he plans to talk further about recent meetings with administration officials and Congress, and pending litigation. The status of the expired biodiesel tax credit will also be a part of Jobe’s presentation.

Jobe will also tell us about the EPA’s CARBIO ruling that allows importation of Argentine biodiesel under an alternative feedstock tracking plan for RFS—something every U.S. biodiesel producer is concerned about—and what the NBB is doing to try and reverse that decision.

On the topic of imports and exports, the EU put major tariffs on U.S. biodiesel several years ago and those are now up for expiration and review. Jobe says he plans to talk about the EU expiry review process and what to expect from that.

Finally, Jobe will touch on state biodiesel issues, including the contentious Minnesota B10 lawsuit and the California LCFS.

Following Jobe’s presentation we will feature three progressive biomass-based diesel project developers who will discuss their unique biodiesel and renewable diesel projects in California, Colorado, Ohio and Indiana.

Guest speakers include Mario Juarez, president of Viridis Fuels, a 20 MMgy project based in Oakland, California, recipient of a $3.4 million grant from the California Energy Commission, which plans to build “America’s most visible biodiesel plant” at the foot of the heavily traveled Bay Bridge in the Port of Oakland; Kurt Lange, CEO of ClearEcos, a fast-growing, innovative Colorado-based feedstock collection company that is partnered with a German firm to install its biodiesel processing equipment and utilize its own high-quality feedstock; and Randy LeTang, CEO of SG Preston, a company with a project site in Lawrence County, Ohio, where SG Preston is developing a 120 MMgy renewable diesel facility. The company also has plans for a second facility in Logansport, Indiana.

The three of them will discuss their unique projects, how they have insulated their ventures from the market uncertainty that has characterized the recent climate, what motivates them to keep going, and where innovations in technology and business relations fit into the mix. In addition to providing an overview of their innovative projects, presenters will share lessons they have learned from the existing industry paradigms while contributing new ideas for success to the established community of producers.

Combined, these presentations will provide a glimpse into the future of U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel production. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. To register for our free webinar May 28 at 2 pm Central, click here. We look forward to you joining us.