New Mexico hosts first biodiesel policy summit

March 17, 2008

BY Jessica Ebert

Web exclusive posted April 11, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. CST

Over 100 representatives from state, academic, environmental and biodiesel industry groups in New Mexico met in late March to discuss the challenges and strategies for public policy and the development of biodiesel in the state.

"The challenge inherent in green energy development is how to spur environmentally advantageous innovation and policy while also driving growth in the industry to meet our increasing energy needs," said Jeffrey Trucksess, executive vice president of regulatory and governmental affairs for Green Earth Fuels, a lead sponsor of the event. "The potential for New Mexico to become a major player in the production of biodiesel feedstocks such as camelina and jatropha is very promising."

Spearheaded by New Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture Miley Gonzalez and Governor Bill Richardson's Rural Economic Advisor Lenny Martinez, the First Annual New Mexico Biodiesel Policy Summit featured sessions focusing on biodiesel opportunities in New Mexico, federal policy issues, biodiesel technologies, distribution and marketing challenges and a panel of equipment manufacturers and fleet managers. "This was a perfect storm of people who understand the potential and the significance of renewable fuels generally and biodiesel specifically for New Mexico," Trucksess said.

In addition to Gonzalez, keynote speakers included: New Mexico's Secretary Designate of Economic Development Fred Mondragon; Patricia Unkefer, a senior research at Los Alamos National Laboratories; and U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., who spoke about the new renewable fuels standard and the appropriateness of New Mexico's arid climate for the growth of alternative feedstocks.

"This was a huge turnout for a first conference of its kind in the state," Trucksess said. "It's really the beginning seeds of a news industry."

Event hosts included the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, New Mexico Department of Economic Development and New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources. In addition to Green Earth Fuels, the Summit sponsors included Blue Sun Biodiesel, Sandia National Laboratories, the New Mexico Biodiesel Policy Association, New Mexico State University and NMSU College of Agriculture and Home Economics.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Upcoming Events

Sign up for our e-newsletter!

Advertisement

Advertisement