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For Biodiesel Industry, Quality Remains "Job #1!"
from Wisconsin Biodiesel Assocation Newsletter November 13, 2007 Click here to signup to receive the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association Newsletter The Minnesota Experience is an important part of the folklore surrounding the establishment of this country's biodiesel industry. The post-Katrina Winter of 2005-06 created a "perfect storm" within the overall transportation fuels market. Product of suspect quality entered the fuels distribution system at the same time Minnesota launched a biodiesel mandate. The resultant plugging of fuel filters and disabling of vehicles created a great deal of concern among consumers regarding biodiesel's suitability for use in colder climes, even though subsequent investigations showed the overall problem was not wholly related to the biodiesel product. The biodiesel industry nevertheless took a "quality" lesson to heart. Much has been accomplished by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and its member-producers to establish rigid standards that regulate the quality of biodiesel made available to consumers. ASTM specifications have been created, and NBB sponsored the BQ-9000 Biodiesel Certification Program. This industry program establishes protocols to be used by biodiesel producers and marketers that support and enforce quality. Ultimately, the "Minnesota Experience" resulted in Quality Assurance and Quality Control becoming "Job Number One" for the industry. How successful have they been in their subsequent pursuit of quality assurance and control? Check out the article in this issue of the newsletter: New Holland Endorses B100! This impressive vote of confidence from one of the world's leading equipment manufacturers shows that biodiesel is indeed "ready for prime time!" Join with us and Wisconsin Clean Cities in Pewaukee on Monday, November 19th for the Wisconsin Biodiesel Quality Summit. Here, experts who helped define the biodiesel quality standards and who presently work to meet them will share with us the great deal of effort that has been made to develop this product to maturity, ready for the commercial market as a reliable transportation fuel with a tremendous future in meeting our alernative energy needs. I look forward to seeing you in Pewaukee! Regards,
Jeff Pieterick President Wisconsin Biodiesel Association |
Vision StatementThe vision of WBA is that Wisconsin biodiesel producers, marketers and distributors will provide, through a network of readily accessible retail outlets, biodiesel fuel that consistently meets recognized quality standards so that all Wisconsin citizens benefit from the economic returns, improved air quality and energy independence achieved through use of renewable biodiesel fuels.
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| ©2007 Wisconsin Biodiesel Association | |||
