Hundreds of
Individuals, Environmental and Health Groups Unite Around Biodiesel
December 02, 2005 — By National Biodiesel Board
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Oregon Environmental Council’s programs focus on
protecting kids' health from toxic pollution, cleaning up Oregon's rivers and
protecting our climate by curbing vehicle pollution.
Their environmental mission is one of the major reasons why they joined the
Biodiesel Alliance — a free, voluntary program facilitated by the National
Biodiesel Board (NBB,) with support from the United Soybean Board. The Alliance
unites more than 1,300 organizations, companies and government agencies in their
support of biodiesel. In addition, more than 4,100 people have joined the
Biodiesel Backers program for individual supporters. Backers range from truck
drivers to farmers to asthma sufferers.
The Alliance’s growing membership underscores the wide net of support for
American-made biodiesel fuel. To date, 1,825 individuals or organizations
indicated that environment and health benefits are a major reason they support
biodiesel, thereby contributing to their joining the Biodiesel Alliance or
Biodiesel Backer program.
“When it comes to our work promoting biodiesel, we need a national partner,”
said Jeff Allen, executive director of the Oregon Environmental Council. “That’s
why we joined the Biodiesel Alliance. It helps keep us informed about
innovations and actions in other states and at the national level, which helps
make us more effective advocates for clean, renewable fuels like biodiesel.”
Sean Jacobs, project coordinator of Clean Air Council, an environmental
organization based in Pennsylvania and another Biodiesel Alliance member, added,
“Increased development and consumption of biodiesel can play an important role
in improving air quality across the country. As such, biodiesel offers a great
way to protect public health, while also protecting agricultural jobs.
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell recently announced the opening of the east
coast’s first state-of-the-art biofuels injection facility in Middletown,
Pennsylvania. The Biodiesel Alliance will help communities reduce air pollution
and create new jobs with its support of this growing field.”
The American Lung Association of the District of Columbia hosts a biodiesel
education program. “Highly regarded research institutions, such as Lovelace
Respiratory Research Institute and Southwest Research Institute, have
contributed to the extensive knowledge-base on biodiesel’s emissions,” said
ALADC Biodiesel Education Project Coordinator Ruth Rich. “The use of biodiesel,
particularly B20 blend levels and higher, can help reduce particulate matter and
other emissions that diminish America’s air quality.”
Other environmental and health organizations that are Alliance members include:
Audubon International; Bluewater Network; Brattleboro Climate Protection;
Choices for Health; Climate Solutions; CoPIRG - Colorado University Boulder
chapter; Energy Recovery Group; Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement;
National Park Service; National Park Service Green Parks Program; Oxygen
Collective; Picture Rocks National Lakeshore; legendary musician Willie Nelson
and Willie Nelson’s Biodiesel Company; and a number of Clean Cities Chapters. A
complete list can be found at
http://www.biodiesel.org/aboutnbb/alliance/alliance_members_healthenviro.shtm.
The Biodiesel Alliance and Backers members receive timely access to information
about new biodiesel developments and opportunities such as: new pump openings;
incentives for school systems and other uses; scientific findings about
biodiesel’s performance and environmental characteristics and the activities of
biodiesel supporters. To join and/or view a list of current Alliance members,
visit
http://www.biodiesel.org/aboutnbb/alliance.
“We’re encouraged by the strong support from environmental and health
organizations that recognize the immediate role biodiesel can play in helping to
reduce diesel emissions,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of NBB. “We hope others will follow
their lead and get behind biodiesel by joining the Alliance.”
Biodiesel is a domestically produced fuel made from any fat or vegetable oil,
like soybean oil. It can be used in any diesel engine with few or no
modifications. Although biodiesel contains no petroleum, it can be blended with
diesel at any level or used in its pure form.
Biodiesel reduces emissions and poses no threat to human health. It is nontoxic,
biodegradable and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics, significantly
reducing 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, making it the most effective greenhouse
gas mitigation technology currently available for heavy-duty vehicles and
equipment. It has the highest energy balance of any transportation fuel and can
be used in its pure form or blended with petroleum diesel at any level.
Biodiesel offers similar fuel economy, horsepower and torque to petroleum diesel
while providing superior lubricity. For more information on biodiesel’s
environmental and health benefits go to
http://biodiesel.grassroots.com/Environmental_1_Pager_UpdatedNov2005/.
Today, more than 600 major fleets use biodiesel commercially, and 600 retail
filling stations make it available to the public.
Readers can learn more about biodiesel at
www.biodiesel.org.
Contact Info:
Jenna Higgins/NBB
3337A Emerald Ln.
PO Box 104898
Jefferson City, MO 65110-4898
(800) 841-5849
(573) 635-7913 fax
www.biodiesel.org