Watch this 20 year timeline of biodiesel and Bioheat® Fuel.

The National Biodiesel Board recently celebrated their 20th Anniversary at their 10th annual convention held in Las Vegas, NV. Over 20 different conference sessions took place amongst industry leaders to discuss the industries’ successes, challenges and future. 

In his introductory speech, Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, spoke of biodiesel’s evolution over the last 20 years:

“The past and future of the biodiesel industry can best be described in three distinct eras. These eras are distinct for the biodiesel industry but also distinct as stand-alone eras in history.

The first 10 years, is what I think of as biodiesel’s childhood. The second 10 year era, roughly the past decade, is what I think of as biodiesel’s teenage years. And like many teenagers, the industry was awkward, rebellious, and emotionally unstable during this period. And then finally I will talk about the next ten years, which I believe is the era where biodiesel enters early adulthood.

Biodiesel will be in its 20′s during this period and like most people in their 20′s, this era will provide a lot of exciting growth, development, and innovation to look forward to – as long as we stay dedicated and unified as an industry.” 

Throughout the week the NBB recognized key contributors that unify the industry with their “Eye on Biodiesel Award.” Awards were given in four categories, to include: partnership, innovation, inspiration and influence.

John Manicscalco, President of the New York Oil Heating Association speaking at the 2013 NBB Expo

John Maniscalco, CEO of the New York Oilheat Association, was presented with the Eye on Biodiesel Award for Partnership. It was under John’s leadership that unprecedented legislation was passed that all oilheat in NYC be at least a 2% biodiesel blend as of October 2012.

“The New York Oil Heat Association (NYOHA) has long fought for a new standard in heating oil,” said the association’s CEO John Maniscalco. “The heating oil of the past will soon be gone. Instead, Bioheat Fuel will become the standard in home heating sustainability. NYC should be proud to lead the effort and proud ‘2B’ staying warm.”

John Maniscalco accepting his award

“The city of New York should be proud of their accomplishment in approving the mandate for biofuel. Our next major objective is to apply that mandate statewide and then to encourage other Northeast states to follow suit.”

The NBB launched a new app to provide biodiesel distributors and end users the latest news, including federal and state regulations. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded for free at Biodiesel NOW in the app store.

Funds will help local United Way heat homes for hurricane victims and others

Continuing its trend of warming up New York, the National Biodiesel Board today announced the winners of its NYC Proud 2B2 Renewable Warmup campaign. To celebrate New York City’s adoption of a 2% biodiesel blend mandate for home heating oil, the four-week campaign recognized charities in the New York area that dedicate their time and energy to helping “warm” NYC residents. The campaign awarded a total of $30,000 in grants to three NYC charities, the organization’s way of saying “thank you” to NYC for being a leader in the renewable fuel evolution.

The major charity recipient, receiving a $15,000 grant, is the United Way’s Project Warmth.

The United Way Project Warmth helps “warm” NYC, providing assistance to vulnerable Long Islanders who heat their home with oil. Their donation of oil heat helps families overcome a short-term financial hardship. They also offer case assistance, which results in 80% of families not needing assistance after. Their initiative also played an instrumental part in helping NY and NJ recover from Hurricane Sandy.

 ACHILLES FOR KIDS – $10,000 grant

Founded by the first amputee to run the NYC marathon, the grant will help fund their 2013 goal of awarding 3,500 pairs of new sneakers to low-income children with disabilities who complete the virtual marathon–running 26 miles over a one-year period of time.

THE NEW YORK FOUNDLING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM – $5,000 grant

Serves boys and girls at risk, in the South Bronx, the most impoverished congressional district in the nation, by keeping them off the street and helping them develop academic skills with tutoring, homework support and ongoing enrichment opportunities.

Already the nation’s largest municipal user of biodiesel, NYC is Proud 2B2. The 2% biodiesel mandate for home heating oil delivered in the city, also known as B2 Bioheat® reduces the city’s carbon footprint, helps clean the air and replaces up to 20 million gallons of petroleum annually.

Paul Nazzaro, president of Advanced Fuel Solutions and advocate for the National Biodiesel Board’s Bioheat Fuel education program stated, “Our NYC Proud 2B2 Renewable Warmup campaign has increased awareness and support of not only Bioheat Fuel, but the profile of the great work that so many of the greater NYC nonprofits provide. As we look to increased use of Bioheat Fuel by NYC and others, we help to clean up our air and create more jobs in the heartland of our country. It’s a sustainable movement that everyone can participate in.”

John Maniscalco, CEO of The New York Oil Heat Association (NYOHA), said, “The city of New York should be proud of their accomplishment in approving the mandate for biofuel. Our next major objective is to apply that mandate statewide and then to encourage other Northeast areas to follow suit.”

United Way: Project Warmth

“Warm” the lives of vulnerable Long Islanders who heat their home with oil and help families overcome the short-term financial hardship that results in 80% of recipient-families also getting case assistance not needing assistance after.

NYC SALT

Engage, inspire and empower NYC teenagers by providing them with professional-grade digital photography skills. While inner-city students are twice as likely to drop out of school, all of SALTs students finish high school and apply to college with a free college prep program for SATs, college applications and financial aid.

The New York Foundling
After School Program

Serves boys and girls at risk, in the South Bronx, the most impoverished congressional district in the nation, by keeping them off the street and helping them develop academic skills with tutoring, home work support and ongoing enrichment opportunities.

Hope Community

Seeks to rebuild the physical infrastructure of East Harlem by creating attractive, high-quality affordable housing and to strengthen the neighborhood’s social fabric by assisting in the growth of local businesses, assisting residents and sponsoring community programs.

Center for H.O.P.E.

Would offer a free weekend-long camp for children suffering the loss of a loved one; allowing them to form bonds with their peers, normalize grief, reduce feelings of isolation, express and address their feelings. Camp HOPE is a program of the Center for HOPE that helps children learn how to cope with grief within a safe and healing camp experience.

Achilles International

Founded by the first amputee to run the NYC  marathon, the grant would help fund their 2013 goal of awarding 3,500 pairs of new sneakers to low-income children with disabilities who complete the virtual marathon – running 26 miles over a one-year period of time.

The ads will be running over the course of the next few months during news broadcasts on major channels. The ads highlight the benefits of Bioheat® Fuel – Reduced Emissions, Cleaner Air, Reduced Dependence on Foreign Oil and More American Jobs. Ads running in New York City highlight the B2 2% biodiesel mandate now in effect for New York City.