Multi-Million Dollar Award to NBB Will Help Biodiesel
Become a Household Word
USDA, senators champion critical mission of raising public awareness

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has won a $3.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for biodiesel education. The money will help NBB significantly enhance its mission of educating the public about biodiesel, ultimately increasing the use of the cleaner burning, domestically produced fuel to the benefit of all Americans.

“These grants are an important step in expanding the economic prospects and environmental promise of renewable energy,” said US Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. “The Bush Administration is committed to finding alternative energy sources.”

Section 2004 of the 2002 Farm Bill authorizes a total of $4.8 million for fiscal years 2003 through 2007. USDA will administer the grant, which NBB will receive in the amount of $770 thousand per year for five years.

“This award comes at a pivotal time in the nation, as domestic energy security and pollution are on the minds of many,” said Joe Jobe, executive director of NBB. “Biodiesel is one of the best tested alternative fuels in the country, and has been used commercially in Europe for more than 15 years. However, the majority of Americans have not yet heard of biodiesel. This grant will help change that.”

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) led the effort to include the education money in the 2003 Farm Bill. Sen. Mark Dayton (D-MN) was also instrumental.

“I am very pleased that the National Biodiesel Board is being awarded a grant to promote this clean, renewable farm-based fuel,” he said. “The Board is eminently qualified to carry out this task. Their work to educate and reach out to diverse audiences about biodiesel's myriad benefits will help our family farmers, biodiesel producers, and rural communities. I look forward to supporting the Board's efforts over the coming months.”

Based in Jefferson City, Missouri, NBB is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to coordinating the biodiesel industry and educating the public about the fuel. State soybean commodity groups, who funded several biodiesel research and development programs with checkoff dollars, founded the board in 1992. NBB membership is comprised of state, national, and international feedstock and processor organizations; biodiesel suppliers; fuel marketers and distributors; and technology providers.

NBB's plan of work includes strategies that are complimentary to existing regional and national projects funded for FY 04. It calls for the development of materials, collection of data, and education of stakeholders in various market areas. An expert speakers bureau will perform education outreach to government and private fleet managers, as well as the trucking, mining, marine, railroad, and agricultural industries. Targeted outreach to the petroleum industry, environmental groups, Original Equipment Manufacturers, and school bus fleets will supplement existing programs. Innovative collaborative efforts will include the Washington DC chapter of the American Lung Association, and the National Energy Education Development (NEED) program. The plan also includes consumer assessments of heating oil applications, programs to address fuel quality/consumer confidence, and public opinion surveys to direct and evaluate progress.

More than 350 major fleets use biodiesel commercially nationwide, including the U.S. Military, NASA, Yellowstone National Park, the City of Philadelphia, many state departments of transportation and dozens of school districts. More than 100 retail filling stations also make biodiesel available to the public, and hundreds of fuel distributors carry it nationwide to make it available to farmers and others.

Biodiesel works in any diesel engine with few or no modifications. Biodiesel can be used in its pure form (B100), or blended with petroleum diesel at any level—most commonly 20 percent (B20). It reduces emissions, and it is nontoxic, biodegradable and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel offers similar fuel economy, horsepower and torque to petroleum diesel while providing superior lubricity. It significantly reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons and sulfates. On a lifecycle basis, biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel.

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