Photo: Ron Kotrba, Biodiesel Magazine
February 12, 2018
BY The National Biodiesel Foundation
Student scientists can quality for up to a $2,000 award through the new Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant. The National Biodiesel Foundation established the grant to help deserving full-time students interested in science, research and biodiesel sustainability. Notable among Calabotta’s achievements were her dedication to biodiesel sustainability and indirect land use change (ILUC) research.
“Beth was an advocate for student development and a supporter of biofuel sustainability,” said Tom Verry, executive director for the National Biodiesel Foundation. “She had an unquenchable love for agriculture and life-sciences. The National Biodiesel Foundation is honored to provide financial support to students following Beth’s passion to support advanced biofuels.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
To qualify, students must complete an application and, if awarded the grant, commit to participate in the Biodiesel Sustainability Workshop and related activities, scheduled for Sept. 26-27 in St. Louis, Missouri. Grant funds may be used for participation with the remaining funds applied toward academic expenses. Other eligibility requirements and full criteria are available on the grant homepage.
Applications are due March 31. The grant winner will be announced April 30.
Calabotta worked more than 25 years at Monsanto as a chemical engineer, completing her tenure as director and fellow of Monsanto’s Bioenergy Development Program. During the latter part of her career, Beth’s efforts focused almost solely on biofuels development. As a board member for the National Biodiesel Foundation, her impact contributed to the U.S. EPA qualifying biodiesel made from soybean oil as an advanced biofuel, and to reducing the carbon score for soy-based biodiesel by 50 percent and corn ethanol by 30 percent in the California and Oregon low carbon fuel standards.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Based on Calabotta’s work, the foundation and the National Biodiesel Board want to continue building on the idea that adopting innovative technologies and diversifying markets will produce environmental benefits that can be documented through research and data.
The foundation works closely with the NBB to address national issues affecting us all—cleaner air, greater economic development for rural communities, and enhanced national security through energy independence. Organized in 1994, the mission of the foundation is to accomplish outreach, education, research and demonstration activities for the advancement of biodiesel.
The USDA significantly increased its estimate for 2025-’26 soybean oil use in biofuel production in its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, released July 11. The outlook for soybean production was revised down.
U.S. fuel ethanol capacity fell slightly in April, while biodiesel and renewable diesel capacity held steady, according to data released by the U.S. EIA on June 30. Feedstock consumption was down when compared to the previous month.
The U.S. EPA on July 8 hosted virtual public hearing to gather input on the agency’s recently released proposed rule to set 2026 and 2027 RFS RVOs. Members of the biofuel industry were among those to offer testimony during the event.
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency is implementing multiple changes to the Camelina pilot insurance program for the 2026 and succeeding crop years. The changes will expand coverage options and provide greater flexibility for producers.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service on June 30 released its annual Acreage report, estimating that 83.4 million acres of soybeans have been planted in the U.S. this year, down 4% when compared to 2024.