The National Biodiesel Board has recognized the commitment of the national soy checkoff to advancing the U.S. biodiesel industry. The checkoff received the Eye on Biodiesel Influence Award – which honors an individual or organization that has impacted public acceptance of biodiesel. Jim Stillman – United Soybean Board Chairman – accepted the award on behalf of the checkoff at the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo. He says U.S. soybean farmers – through their checkoff – have helped grow the U.S. biodiesel industry through research and promotion. Much of that work has come in the form of partnerships with NBB that have helped increase the use of biodiesel.
According to USB – a large portion of the checkoff’s biodiesel investments was used for quality and performance testing and to promote biodiesel availability and use. They note biodiesel is one of the most tested renewable fuels on the market and that production has increased from about 500-thousand gallons in 1999 to more than a billion gallons in 2012.
The checkoff has also actively promoted Bioheat – a biodiesel-based heating oil alternative. New York City started requiring all heating oil used in the city to contain at least two-percent biodiesel this winter. USB Oil Action Team Chair Lewis Bainbridge says the checkoff has made biodiesel a priority and seen the results in the growth of the biodiesel market. He says the United Soybean Board will continue to support the biodiesel industry by funding research to help expand the market even more.
Source: NAFB News Service