Alan Weber hits the air waves
During the week of November 14th, M4’s Alan Weber represented the National Biodiesel Board while speaking with RFD Radio and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.
M4 advocates for Illinois biodiesel plants this week in DC
Rebecca Richardson of MARC-IV along with Illinois soybean growers attended the National Biodiesel Board meeting this week in Washington, DC. They met directly with U.S. Senator Durbin to discuss the importance for the Biomass-based diesel number to be higher than 1.28 billion gallons to save Illinois biodiesel plants and the jobs and economic activity associated with them.
M4 represents NBB and the biodiesel industry at the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) Interim meeting
Rebecca Richardson represented NBB and the biodiesel industry at the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) Interim meeting in Charleston, SC January 27-30. The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) meets twice annually to review current regulations and consider new ones related to packaging, labeling, fuel quality and many other issues. During these meetings, NCWM officials and state regulators provide a forum for industry and other stakeholders to respond to proposed regulations that NCWM would recommend as model language for states. During this meeting, product transfer document disclosure of biodiesel blends, diesel gallon equivalency and minimum micron filter size were discussed.
ASTM International Publishes New Grade of Biodiesel to Solve Intermittent Cold Weather Issues
After intense debate with ASTM and consensus building by ASTM Biodiesel Task Force Chairman Steve Howell of MARC-IV, ASTM International published a new grade of pure biodiesel in ASTM D6751 specifications for biodiesel (B100). The new No. 1-B grade is designed to help eliminate relatively rare and sporadic instances of filter clogging with biodiesel blends in the US market. The new No. 1-B specification adds a new maximum level of 0.4 wt % monoglycerides, which required development and approval of modified ASTM test methods as well as gaining consensus on the value of 0.4%. The current specifications become the No. 2-B grade within D6751 without change.
Weber Appointed to Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee
Alan Weber has been appointed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and U.S. Dept. of Energy to serve as a member of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee. The prestigious committee helps USDA and DOE in meeting important goals of a healthier rural economy and improved national energy security. Weber will advise the agencies on overcoming technical challenges through research and development that will lead to a greatly expanded biobased industry.