North Carolina Biodiesel Trade Group Launched

Contact: Paul Knott
828-254-1921, x5844
knottp@ncbionetwork.org

January 14, 2008

North Carolina biodiesel pioneers, including industry leaders, community college representatives and workforce development experts, have formed a trade association to promote increased use and production of biodiesel fuels in North Carolina. The group, known as the North Carolina Biodiesel Association (NCBA), hopes to involve all stakeholders interested in the development and growth of the North Carolina biodiesel industry sector. As a non-profit membership organization, NCBA seeks to represent the business interests of the biodiesel industry, including producers, distributors, and retailers. Other service providers to the industry, such as engineers, consultants, contractors, law firms,
and financers, educators, as well as other supporters and allies who are directly involved in the biodiesel industry will be included in the NCBA.

The founding Board of the Association includes Randy Dellinger, Foothills Bio-Energies, Tommy Evans, Evans Environmental Energies, Leif Forer, Piedmont Biofuels, Larry Sullivan, Kreido Biofuels, and Brian Winslett, Blue Ridge Biofuels. “Now that we are established we are inviting producers, suppliers and members of the public to join us in unleashing the power of the biodiesel here in North Carolina,” said Association member Leif Forer of Piedmont Biofuels.

Forer went on to say, “We believe that we can support North Carolina’s achievement of improved air quality and energy independence while enabling refiners to sustain reasonable economic returns and support local economic development.”

Founding Member Rachel Burton said that “We see that many of our industry’s interests are directly aligned with those of North Carolina’s farming community and other raw material suppliers. We look forward to working on common issues with our allied industries.”

“Our goal is to serve as the voice of the industry, representing the State’s biodiesel sector in government relations in Raleigh and beyond, said Board Member Randy Dellinger of Foothills Bio-Energies. “We hope to continue to educate the public about the value of biodiesel fuels in promoting energy independence, enhancing local economies, improving air quality and reducing our collective impact on climate changes.”

Biodiesel is the fastest growing alternative fuel in the US market with production having tripled between 2005 and 2006, from 75 million gallons to about 250 million gallons. It is renewable, biodegradable, and nontoxic. Biodiesel significantly cuts life cycle carbon dioxide and other harmful environmental emissions, including carbon monoxide, sulfur, and aromatics. It can be made from recycled cooking greases and any vegetable oil or animal fat, can run in any diesel engine with little or no modification, and is compatible with the existing petroleum distribution infrastructure.

NCBA offers memberships to biodiesel producers, marketers, and distributors as well as to companies and individuals who support the industry. The North Carolina Biodiesel Association is developing a website. In the meantime, interested parties should contact Paul Knott at 828-254-1921, x5844 or knottp@ncbionetwork.org.

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