January 24, 2023
Tampa,
Fla. – A diverse crop of individuals and
organizations receive top honors for their contributions to the clean fuels
industry this week. The Clean Fuels Alliance America annual awards showcase
those who have contributed significantly to the advancement of biodiesel,
renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.
“These forward-thinking leaders have
pushed the gauge on clean fuels and helped power the industry into the future,”
said Donnell Rehagen, CEO of Clean Fuels Alliance America. “Our association
applauds and thanks these long-time advocates, clean fuels visionaries, and
industry innovators who help unite us as one strong industry.”
During this week's Clean Fuels Conference (formerly the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo) in Tampa, Florida the organization will recognize the 2023 “Eye on Industry Awards” winners. The honorees are:
Industry Partnership Award: Diesel Technology Forum
The Diesel Technology Forum is a
not-for-profit educational organization of global leaders in advanced diesel
engine, equipment and fuels technology. The Forum’s work focuses on the
sociability and sustainability of advanced diesel technology in a wide range of
applications including commercial vehicles, power generation, marine, rail,
construction and more.
Under the leadership of Executive
Director Allen Schaeffer, the Diesel Technology Forum has used its platform and
considerable industry influence to consistently and vocally demonstrate support
for the use of biodiesel and renewable diesel in legacy and new technology
diesel engines and equipment. Schaeffer and the organization are also highly
engaged in areas of common interest with the clean fuels industry, including
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulatory activities regarding clean air,
climate, emissions, health effects and mobile source emissions; transitions to
a clean energy future; and decarbonization of transportation and other
industrial sources.
Initiative Award: Iowa Biodiesel Board
Since its inception in 2007, the Iowa
Biodiesel Board has become invaluable in advancing biodiesel in Iowa and across
the nation, earning it the Initiative Award. The small team of two half-time
employees and two contractors knows no limitations.
IBB and its members, along with other
partners, played a vital role in helping Iowa pass the most comprehensive state
biodiesel legislation in U.S. history, working with the governor’s office and
state legislators while raising the pro-biodiesel volume in media outlets. The
most recent legislation broke the B20 “glass ceiling,” providing the first-ever
B30 incentive in the United States. Also a leader in federal policy outreach,
the organization has been instrumental in working with the Congressional
delegation on important issues.
Founded under the umbrella of the Iowa
Soybean Association, IBB has grown into a leading trade association
representing the entire supply chain, helping Iowa maintain its position as the
top biodiesel-producing state. The organization has proven to be a valuable
partner to Clean Fuels, fostering engagement and cooperation on biodiesel
growth in Iowa and nationally.
Impact Award: Clean Cities Coalition
Directors
Clean Cities Coalition Directors have
truly made a positive impact on the clean fuels industry, exemplifying the
Impact Award. More than 75 Clean Cities Coalitions are creating significant and
lasting change in communities large and small, one project, one local decision
and one fleet at a time. This network spanning nearly every state brings
together more than 20,000 stakeholders in the public and private sectors to use
alternative and renewable fuels, foster fuel economy improvements and promote
new transportation technologies as they emerge.
Since 1993, Clean Cities coalitions have
steadily increased their energy use impact each year through diverse
transportation projects for a cumulative impact equal to nearly 12 billion
gasoline gallon equivalents, including using biodiesel in more than 200,000
vehicles in 2020. They have also aided in building out the fueling
infrastructure to support this growing market.
Influence Award: Star Group L.P.
Operating throughout the Northeast and
Mid-Atlantic regions, Star Group, L.P. is the nation's largest retail
distributor of home heating oil, based on sales volume. The company earned the
Influence Award for its leadership role in the adoption and acceptance of
Bioheat® fuel – typically a blend of biodiesel and heating oil.
With increasing concern about climate
change both at the state and national level, Star Group believed that the home
heating industry had to be part of the discussion. The company saw the
environmental benefits of Bioheat® fuel for its customers and for the
communities that they served. After starting with B20 blends, Star Group
recognized that by providing increasing levels of biodiesel, they can offer an
easy and affordable solution for home heating to help meet a goal of zero
carbon emissions by 2050. The company has raised the bar within its industry,
demonstrating that Bioheat® fuel can offer an economical option for reducing
carbon emissions.
Inspiration Award: Patti Earley, Florida
Power & Light
Florida Power & Light operates one
of the most sophisticated power grids in the nation, serving 12 million
customers statewide. It also operates one of the largest and longest-known
biodiesel-powered fleets in the country, with approximately 1,840
biodiesel-powered vehicles. FPL purchases more than 400,000 gallons of B100
annually, blending and maintaining it in two company-owned fuel terminals.
Behind the scenes of this operation,
you’ll find Fleet Fuel Operations Manager Patti Earley. She was part of this
year’s massive restoration efforts after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole struck the
state, supplying over 700,000 gallons of B20 to the 22,000 workers helping to
restore power. She also assisted with FPL’s voluntary response to the Northeast
coast after Superstorm Sandy in 2012, hauling B20 from FPL’s facilities to help
mitigate major fuel shortages in the area. With every disaster, biodiesel has
been there when the electric grid is down and petroleum fuels have all but
vanished, performing reliably in FPL’s Mobile Command Unit and all other diesel
vehicles and equipment.
What makes Earley so inspirational,
though, is her willingness to volunteer her time, energy and passion, even
loaning FPL vehicles generously for educational events about biodiesel and
mentoring other fleets. Earley has reached thousands of people, freely
answering the call for leadership or help. She is a Certified Automotive Fleet
Manager, an appointed member of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Emergency Route Working Group, as well as Past President of the National
Association of Fleet Administrators, one of only five women to serve as
president.
Climate Leadership Award: Michael Wang,
Argonne National Laboratory
In his nearly three decades at Argonne
National Laboratory, Michael Wang has spearheaded various projects on
addressing energy and environmental issues related to the transportation sector
and energy systems. His tireless dedication earned recognition for Climate
Leadership.
Wang is a Distinguished Fellow, Senior
Scientist, the Director of the Systems Assessment Center, and Interim Director
of the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis division for Argonne. He has
led the development and applications of Argonne’s GREET (Greenhouse gases,
Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies) model for life-cycle
analysis of advanced vehicle technologies, transportation fuels, and other
energy systems. Notably, the GREET model will be used to calculate the federal
tax credits for clean fuels.
ABOUT CLEAN FUELS ALLIANCE AMERICA |
Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats, the clean fuels industry is a proven, integral part of America’s clean energy future. Clean Fuels Alliance America is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel supply chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers and fuel distributors. Clean Fuels receives funding from a broad mix of private companies and associations, including the United Soybean Board and state checkoff organizations.