The July/August issue of Biodiesel Magazine is nearly complete, and I would like to share some of its contents with you. The theme is Distribution Infrastructure, and we’ve got several articles on this important topic.

For my featured article on distribution, “US Biodiesel Supply Kings,” I talk with Steven J. Levy, managing director of Sprague Operating Resources LLC (also chairman of the National Biodiesel Board), Michael Devine, sales and marketing consultant with Amerigreen, and Steve McCracken, president of Amerigreen, and finally, Andrew Richardson, president of Targray, to discuss challenges and opportunities in U.S. biodiesel distribution. As expected, the policy uncertainty the industry is experiencing today is affecting investment and growth.

I also profile Midlands Biofuels, a husband-and-wife-owned small, community-scale biodiesel plant in South Carolina where big things are always happening. “Bio” Joe Renwick and his wife, “Bio” Beth Renwick—who owns 51 percent of the business—make an amazing couple with the drive to succeed in a down biodiesel market. Read about plant improvements, distribution and love for each other (and biodiesel) in “A Biodiesel Family Affair.”

We also feature a back-of-the-book contribution article from Justin Heller, CEO of Akash Energy, titled “Building the New Energy Economy.” Heller discusses the trials and tribulations of building a biodiesel retail chain, Root Fuel, from the ground up. Ultimately, Heller and his crew want to change the fueling experience by redefining our relationship with fuel, and empowering the consumer with choice.

NBB petroleum liaison Paul Nazzaro authors this issue’s Talking Point column, “Protecting Storage Tanks From the Unknown;” and Mark M. Palmer, founder of the Palmer Policy Group, gives us this issue’s Legal Perspective column, “Tax Extenders: A Harbinger for Tax Reform?” And as always, we feature the National Biodiesel Board’s four-page “Inside NBB” section. In addition, get the latest industry information and perspective in our FrontEnd news and Business Briefs sections.

Thanks to all our contributing writers who helped shape this issue’s editorial content.

Finally, I would like to thank our advertisers for their continued support:

2014 National Advanced Biofuels Conference & Expo

2015 International Biomass Conference & Expo

ALX Enterprises LLC

AMERIgreen Energy

BBI Project Development

Biodiesel Plant Map

Crown Iron Works Company

EcoEngineers

Gorman-Rupp Pumps

HERO BX

Iowa Central Fuel Testing Lab

Louis Dreyfus

Methes Energies

The National Biodiesel Board

Targray

Webster Fuel Pumps & Valves

Wilks Enterprise Inc.