Pacific Biodiesel
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Employees oversee production at the Big Island refinery, where waste grease and used cooking oil is processed into the nation's highest quality biodiesel.

Pacific Biodiesel Newsletter
2nd Quarter 2016 
In This Issue
  • Plant Achieves Milestone
  • Big Island Plant Earns Certification
  • Governor Signs Production Tax Credit
  • Expanding Our Team & Fleet
  • Standing Up for Biodiesel Customers
  • Maui Huliau Film Premiere
  • Pacific Biodiesel Sponsors Verge Hawaii
  • Wiki Wiki Shuttles Now Run on Biodiesel
  • Pacific Biodiesel Hosts Women's Leadership Seminar
  • Kelly King Runs for Maui County Council
  • Employee of the Quarter
  • Did You Know?
  • Industry Trends
  • Kelly King Profiles the 'Ideal President'
  • Upcoming Events
     

 

 

 

Editor: Joy Galatro, Director of Marketing
Staff Writer & Layout: Beth Mathias, Marketing Associate

 

For more information
about Pacific Biodiesel visit
 www.biodiesel.com or contact
Beth Mathias at bmathias@biodiesel.com







Our Mission:
 
To promote a clean, sustainable energy future through the community-based production of renewable fuels. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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On Earth Day 2016, the Pacific Biodiesel plant on the Big Island became the first biodiesel facility in the United States to earn certification by the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance for showcasing sustainable biodiesel production and distribution practices.   







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Company Acheives Milestone, Earns Certification        
A first of its kind nationally

Pacific Biodiesel has accomplished great things in the second quarter of 2016. In April, our plant on the Big Island earned certification by the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance (SBA), the first of its kind in the country. And in May, we had a solid month of production and smooth operations that enabled us to produce a milestone 440,000 gallons of biodiesel for the month, all of which was sold here in Hawaii.
Jenna Long, Pacific Biodiesel Director of Operations
     During the recent SBA certification process, it was really exciting to look at all the pieces of the puzzle and understand what we're doing well and where we can improve. For instance, we received high marks for resources, such as our use of renewable energy to power the plant and our use of all recycled feedstock. We're already at work making improvements in other areas, such as formulating an overall sustainable purchasing policy to provide guidelines to our team when buying anything from equipment to office supplies.
     What personally gives me a sense of pride about this certification is that we weren't required to do it, and customers weren't asking us to do it. We just wanted to do it. It aligns so well with our mission - and it's important to do what we say we believe in.
     When the New York Times ran an article about our recent certification and our company's sustainable, zero-waste biodiesel production practices here in Hawaii, THAT was a big deal! Our employees were very proud of this. It's more reinforcement to everyone that the work we're doing is important - and it's the right thing to do.
      Milestones like these "fuel" our team's passion and enthusiasm for working at Pacific Biodiesel. Together we really are creating a clean, sustainable, renewable energy future for our community.
~ Jenna Long, Director of Operations

Big Island Plant Earns Certification 
A first of its kind nationally

On Earth Day 2016, it was confirmed that Pacific Biodiesel and its Big Island plant were certified by the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance (SBA) for sustainable biodiesel production and distribution practices:
  • "Gold Certified" as a Biodiesel Producer with a score of 78 of 100.
  • "Platinum Certified" as a Biodiesel Distributor with a score of 92 of 100.
     With a nameplate production capacity of 5.5 million gallons annually and utilizing advanced distillation technology to produce the highest-quality biodiesel in the country, our plant is the first biodiesel facility of its kind in the United States to earn this certification. 
     The certification process evaluated a variety of production and distribution practices including:
  • Control of air emissions
  • Reduced water consumption
  • Continuous improvement toward zero-waste production
  • Lower energy consumption
  • Development of sustainable purchasing policies
  • Creation of diverse community benefits

 
     The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization created to promote sustainable biodiesel practices, including the harvesting, production and distribution of biodiesel fuels. These efforts include Environmental, Social and Economic sustainability. When biodiesel advocates Kelly King, Annie Nelson and Daryl Hannah formed the alliance in 2006, their ultimate goal was to create a certification system for verifying that all points in the production and distribution of the fuel are sustainable. This certification system, officially launched in 2016, will not only provide transparency for the consumer but also build extra value for a sustainable product.  
     "The SBA is very pleased with the results of the certification audit, and applauds Pacific Biodiesel for being a leader in sustainably produced biodiesel," said Jeff Plowman, Vice Chair of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance.
     Pacific Biodiesel was featured in the New York Times in an article  that announced this first-of-its-kind certification and highlighted our company's sustainable, zero-waste biodiesel production practices here in Hawaii. Read the full article here.
 
Governor Signs Production Tax Credit 
State encourages renewable fuel production          

On July 5, 2016, the Governor of the State of Hawaii, David Ige, signed the Renewable Fuels Production Tax Credit, a long-awaited incentive for biofuels producers in the state. This move supports Hawaii's commitment for state's utilities to generate 100 percent of their electricity sales from renewable energy resources by 2045.
     Hawaii State Act 202 is a non-refundable tax credit for the production of renewable fuels, including biodiesel, which will be in effect for 5 years. The annual dollar amount of the tax credit is equal to twenty cents per 76,000 BTUs of renewable fuel (the equivalent of one gallon of ethanol). The tax credit is capped at $3,000,000 per year.
     According to Pacific Biodiesel President Bob King, "This is an excellent incentive because it will encourage investors to fund renewable fuel production facilities in Hawaii, creating jobs and energy security while fighting climate change and reducing environmental damage. We've been diligently working for the past six years to help pass this legislation."
    
Attending the signing ceremony in Honolulu are left to right: Warren Bollmeier, President of Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance; Sharon Moriwaki, Director of Hawaii Energy Policy Forum; Governor David Ige; Robert King, Pacific Biodiesel Founder and President.
   
Expanding Our Team and Fleet 
Pacific Biodiesel Logistics focuses on service improvements        

The Pacific Biodiesel Logistics team is diligently working on ways to help better serve our customers throughout the state.
Pacific Biodiesel pump trucks that collect waste oils from food service facilities to recycle into locally produced biodiesel can be seen across the state.
     "We continue to successfully source used cooking oil from around the Hawaiian islands to support our biodiesel production. And now we are bringing in new equipment and personnel to upgrade our service to customers over the next several months," said George Aiwohi, Operations Manager for Pacific Biodiesel Logistics. "It's important to us that we work to excel in both production and service performance."
     Among those upgrades, Pacific Biodiesel is adding several new vacuum pump trucks to its fleet along with a service vehicle equipped to inspect and jet drain lines.
     "These fleet and equipment improvements will help us increase our overall reliability, provide more efficiency and further reduce our emissions," Aiwohi said. 
       
Standing Up for Biodiesel Customers
Maui County eliminates biodiesel road tax from
FY 2017 budget 
The Pacific Biodiesel team welcomed county legislators along with several customers and community biodiesel supporters as they rolled back the price of the renewable fuel to match the amount of on-road biodiesel fuel tax exempted by Maui County for the 2017 fiscal year budget. 

On Friday, July 1, Pacific Biodiesel reduced the retail price of its biodiesel in Maui County by 9 cents per gallon - the amount of the on-road biodiesel fuel tax exempted by Maui County in its fiscal year 2017 budget, which went into effect that day.
     Previously Maui County had increased the County Road Tax on biodiesel by 9 cents per gallon and this year the Mayor's budget requested an additional increase to 11.5 cents per gallon. After reviewing the potential revenue to the County budget and learning that the biodiesel gallons sold on Maui are relatively insignificant compared with the immense volumes of petroleum, Maui County Council Vice Chair Don Guzman proposed the elimination of the tax altogether.
     During public testimony, Pacific Biodiesel President and Founder Bob King emphasized how eliminating the tax would send a strong message of support for renewables here in Maui and throughout the state, where other counties have ongoing tax exemptions for biodiesel.
     "In Maui County, increasing the tax on biodiesel to 11.5 cents per gallon would have generated less than $50,000 in annual revenue - that's a drop in the bucket of the County's budget," King said. "With the effects of climate change already upon us, it's taxing the renewable fuel solution and not the problem - petroleum emissions. Our state is committed to a renewable energy future and Maui needs to step up."
     To commemorate this tax elimination and biodiesel price reduction, Pacific Biodiesel welcomed members of Maui County Council, several customers, employees and other community biodiesel fans to the company's Kahului pump on July 1st to take part in rolling back the biodiesel price on the pump's price display board.
     "Immediately reducing our prices on the first day of the fiscal budget honors the support of the Council and reflects the intent of the tax exemption. Competing against fossil fuel - arguably the most heavily subsidized industry in the world - is extremely difficult, especially now that petroleum prices are so low. If we as a community want to encourage renewable energy companies and renewable energy users, our lawmakers and public officials need to take supportive action," said Pacific Biodiesel Vice President and Co-Founder Kelly King. "I'm proud that we can once again partner with our County Council in the effort to make Maui part of the climate solution."

Pacific Biodiesel Featured in Maui Huliau Film Festival Premiere
Student film focuses on sustainable agriculture
Historic ʻIāo Theatre was the venue for the Huliau Student Environmental Film Festival held June 4th that promoted environmental leadership among Maui's youth.
Students from the Maui Huliau film class celebrate their accomplishments at the June premiere.

     One of the productions included footage captured by a student film crew at Pacific Biodiesel's Big Island refinery, crushing mill and nearby jatropha farm. The film, entitled "Fields of Change," also featured an interview with Kelly King, Pacific Biodiesel Vice President, who spoke about the exciting possibilities for biofuel crops in Hawaii. To watch the film "Fields of Change", click here. 
     Click the following link to learn more about the Maui Huliau Foundation and its environmental filmmaking club.

Pacific Biodiesel Sponsors VERGE Hawaii
Company provides biodiesel for microgrid and speaker for conference

Pacific Biodiesel was proud
Pacific Biodiesel provided a generator and B100 fuel for load balancing the VERGE Hawaii microgrid.
to be a sponsor and exhibitor at the VERGE Hawaii event on Oahu last month. The goal of the conference was to explore the innovative policies, models, technologies and infrastructure needed to deliver on the state's mandate of reaching 100% clean energy by 2045.
     In keeping with that theme, Pacific Biodiesel provided a generator, fueled by B100, as part of the on-site, renewable energy microgrid that powered the conference.     
     The renewable energy expo portion of the three-day conference was well attended by participants from throughout the state and across the globe. Speakers at the conference included Hawaii's Governor
Ross Matsuo, Pacific Biodiesel Office Manager, talks with Bob King, company President, at the VERGE Hawaii Expo.
David Ige and a number of the counties' mayors. As an industry expert guest speaker, Pacific Biodiesel VP Kelly King discussed economically viable solutions that align land use, clean energy and food security during the breakout session, "The Ag-Energy Nexus: Where Renewables, Resilience and Food Systems Intersect."
Kelly King, Pacific Biodiesel Vice President, clears up the misconception about the Food vs. Fuel issue in Hawaii. The Ag-Energy Nexus panelists included L to R:
Amy Brinker, Sustainability Manager, Kamehameha Schools; Scott Enright, Director, Department of Agriculture, State of Hawaii; Kelly King; Kyle Datta, General Partner, Ulupono Initiative.  

Wiki Wiki Shuttles Running On Biodiesel
New shuttles feature sustainability message
The Hawaii State Department of Transportation has taken a step toward the reduction of fossil fuels with the new Wiki Wiki shuttles at Honolulu International Airport.
     Operated by Roberts Hawaii, the new shuttle buses feature the words "Powered by Biodiesel" along with a broader message of biodiesel benefits: Reduced Emissions, Green Jobs, Sustainable Energy.
     Congratulations to Ford Fuchigami, Director of the Hawaii DOT, for spearheading the state's transition to renewable fuel for transportation. Pacific Biodiesel will feature the state's efforts in future issues as their biodiesel fueling system is further developed.   

    
Pacific Biodiesel Hosts Women's Leadership Seminar 
International group tours Big Island Biodiesel            
More than a dozen women from across the Asia Pacific region toured Pacific Biodiesel's Big Island plant to learn about sustainable, community-based renewable fuel production.
Women from across the globe visited Pacific Biodiesel's Big Island plant in Keaau on June 26 as part of the East-West Center's Changing Faces Women's Leadership Seminar.
     Aspiring businesswomen from Sri Lanka, China, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Vanuatu, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hawaii and New Mexico toured the refinery as they learned about Pacific Biodiesel's sustainable community-based biodiesel production model from host Kelly King, Pacific Biodiesel Vice President.
     Ms. King also participated in a paneldiscussion with the international group at the East-West Center's #GalsWithLei Forum held June 30th on Oahu.
 
Kelly King was one of the guest speakers and mentors at the East-West Center's #GalsWithLEI Forum held last month. Students joined representatives from the Pacific Rim to learn about sustainable practices.

On the Campaign Trail
Kelly King runs for Maui County Council seat

Pacific Biodiesel VP and co-founder, Kelly King, is running for the South Maui seat on the Maui County Council.
     Kelly's campaign slogan - Pono Prosperity - sums up her vision for her role if elected to the County Council. "As an active Maui County citizen, business owner, renewable energy champion, and parent, I understand the balance that's required to make growth sustainable and healthy for the greater good of our community. Doing the right thing goes hand in hand with public office. I believe it's our kuleana to step up and serve the community when the need arises."    
     In June, Kelly was officially endorsed by the Sierra Club of Hawaii. The group stated to Kelly that it is "putting faith in you to help sustain Hawaii's beautiful environment for generations to come," and is "solidly behind your efforts to raise environmental issues during your campaign."
     To learn more about Kelly King's platform and vision for Maui, visit www.kellyking.org
 
An enthusiastic group of campaign supporters spreads the message of "Pono Prosperity" to commuters in the South Maui district.
Employee of the Quarter
Ricky Brodo received accolades from co-workers   
    
Pacific Biodiesel's newest Employee of the Quarter is Ricky Brodo, Plant Operator. Ricky joined the company in January 2015 and has proven to be an exceptional member of the Big Island Biodiesel team.
Plant Operator Ricky Brodo
     According to Plant Manager, Tony Pastrama, "The skill set that Ricky brings to the plant is undeniably critical to the support systems for the team, facility and, most of all, safety. We are proud to have him as part of our ohana."
     When asked how he felt about receiving this honor from his peers, Ricky said, "I've learned how to become a plant operator. While doing so, I have also learned about the importance of the product we refine and distribute for a greener future. Mahalo to Pacific Biodiesel for this opportunity!"
     This quarterly award is voted on by all employees at Pacific Biodiesel's Big Island Biodiesel refinery.
 
Did You Know?
Fast facts about our company and biodiesel 
  • Using state-of-the-art distillation technology, Pacific Biodiesel produces the highest quality biodiesel in the nation. And
    as of Earth Day 2016, we are now certified by the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance for our biodiesel production and distribution practices.
  • Did you know that biodiesel is supported by all major engine manufacturers? "Detroit's Big Three Automakers - Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler - have supported high biodiesel blends for nearly a decade. Although vehicle manufacturers don't warranty fuel, rather just their own parts and workmanship, nearly all now formally support blends of 20 percent biodiesel (B20) in their equipment. More than 78 percent of the diesel vehicles coming off production lines today cite biodiesel use in their owners' manuals. Source:  National Biodiesel Board.
Industry Trends
  • Global Renewable Energy Jobs Increase by 5%
    The United States led the way to a global increase in  renewable energy employment to more than 8 million people worldwide in 2015, according to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency. According to The Guardian, "The growth was despite renewable energy subsidies being far outweighed by subsidies for fossil fuels, where jobs were lost."  For more info click here.
  • The Use of Biodiesel in Minnesota Has Dramatically Reduced Carbon Emissions
    The North Star State is breathing easier after a decade of the Biodiesel Fuel Standard. Minnesota requires biodiesel blends statewide in an effort to reduce both carbon emissions and traditional air pollutants. According to the analysis, from 2005 to 2015 biodiesel use has prevented more than 3.7 million tons of lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions. Click here to download the report. 
Kelly King Profiles the Ideal Energy President in Bioenergy Insight
British magazine interviews renewable energy pioneer  

Bioenergy Insight solicited Pacific Biodiesel's opinion for an article in the British periodical, seeking an American perspective on the upcoming presidential race. Click on the image below to read the full article.
 
Upcoming Events
The Pacific Biodiesel team around town  

July 13 & July 14:
Hawaii Lodging, Hospitality and Foodservice Expo, Oahu
The Pacific Biodiesel Logistics team will be on hand to showcase the benefits of recycling with Pacific Biodiesel. Visit us at Booth #519 at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Admission is free. Click here for more info about this two day expo.
     
Saturday, August 6:
Huliau Food and Film Festival, Maui
Pacific Biodiesel is a proud sponsor of Maui Huliau Foundation and their upcoming fundraiser, Huilau Food and Film Festival. With a mission to promote environmental literacy and leadership among Maui's youth through community-based educational experiences, this non-profit agency is aligned with Pacific Biodiesel's vision for sustainability. Join us for the farm to table celebration and to see the student-produced films. Click here for event details.

August 24 - August 30: 
Indigenous Crop Biodiversity Festival, Maui  
Monday, August 29
ICBP Workshop, Maui
As part of the Festival, Pacific Biodiesel is participating in an ICBF Workshop entitled, "Partnership for Soil Health and Food Security: A Biodiesel Co-Product Soil Amendment for Wetland Taro."  Workshop attendees will tour taro fields in Keanae and see firsthand the benefits of Aina Mo',our biodiesel co-product.  For details about the tour click here.

Thursday, September 8:
IUCN Seeds of Change Tour, Hawaii Island
Pacific Biodiesel has been selected to provide a sanctioned tour of  the IUCN's World Conservation Congress. During the Seeds of Change Tour, a group of international conference attendees will tour Big Island Biodiesel, the crushing mill and visit a biofuel test crop site. The group will lunch at Nani Mau Gardens where hosted roundtable discussions will take place. See the full tour description here.

Founded in 1995, Pacific Biodiesel is Hawaii's award-winning and internationally recognized producer of renewable fuels and the only commercial biofuel producer in the state. This Maui-based company established and operated the very first retail biodiesel pump in America and for the past two decades has built a solid reputation as a leading pioneer in the renewable energy industry. Throughout its history, Pacific Biodiesel's mission has remained constant: to promote a clean, sustainable energy future through the community-based production of renewable fuels. Today, with more than 70 employees statewide, Pacific Biodiesel excels in constructing and operating biodiesel processing plants, advancing process technology, and producing and marketing quality fuels. The company is also involved in many sustainable agriculture-related projects - including testing sunflowers as a potential year-round feedstock for producing biodiesel and exploring innovative ways to turn agriculture waste into useful products that can create new revenue streams for farmers, such as recycling waste papaya to grow algae for use in farm fertilizer and as feed for local aquaculture and livestock. With a nameplate production capacity of 5.5 million gallons annually, Pacific Biodiesel's Big Island plant utilizes state-of-the art distillation technology to produce the highest-quality biodiesel in the country.
For more information please visit our website at:
biodiesel.com
or contact Beth Mathias at:
bmathias@biodiesel.com
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