Collective Biodiesel Conference American University in Washington, DC July 31-August 2, 2009 Home-brew biodiesel producers and enthusiasts journeyed from across North America to this year’s conference. Nearly 100 attendees made the pilgrimage to swap tips on all aspects of biodiesel production for three days. American University’s Department of Facilities Management hosted the conference. Friday conference-goers met with staff of more than a dozen representatives on Capitol Hill to discuss biodiesel. Issues included compatibility concerns for high-blend biodiesel with newly mandated Diesel Particulate Filters, and the importance of sustainability standards in biofuels policy. This year’s keynote was a special screening of the newly released film FUEL, with a talk and discussion with Writer/Director Josh Tickell and Producer Rebecca Harrell. FUEL is a drama-documentary about America’s past, present, and possible future energy consumption – especially our dependence on petroleum. Josh has been on the biodiesel scene since writing From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank, and spoke on two panels on Sunday as well. Check out www.thefuelfilm.com for a screening in a city near you. Nearly 30 presenters doled out information at a rapid pace Saturday and Sunday, with three tracks of talks divided into: Feedstock Collection, Biodiesel Production, and End User/Distribution. Check the power point presentations out here. Attendees displayed processors, vehicles and their wares in the American University quad after lunch on Saturday. That night, Calleva Farms sponsored a fab party on their property, transporting us on biodiesel buses and serving dinner grown in their garden, with tours of their biodiesel processor and a massive bonfire. The night ended with a talent show and some guitar and maracas. Sunday afternoon attendees headed to Pogoil to see the biodiesel processor CBC Organizer (and biodieselSMARTER Editor Frankie Abralind) designed and runs. The lobbying was such a success, with many participants saying how empowering it was to talk to government representatives about important biodiesel issues, that now there’s an online forum where biodiesel advocates can share research, discuss strategies and support each other’s efforts throughout the year. Anyone interested in participating can leave a note at http://collectivebiodiesel.proboards.com/. Thanks to all the sponsors, speakers, volunteers and attendees for making this year’s conference an amazing experience! For information about next year’s conference email biodieselconference@gmail.com. -2009 Collective Biodiesel Conference Organizers Caleb Daniels Frankie Abralind Lindsay Madeira Lindsay Vacek Jessy Bradish

Collective Biodiesel Conference

American University in Washington, DC

July 31-August 2, 2009

Home-brew biodiesel producers and enthusiasts journeyed from across North America to this year’s conference. Nearly 100 attendees made the pilgrimage to swap tips on all aspects of biodiesel production for three days. American University’s Department of Facilities Management hosted the conference.

Friday conference-goers met with staff of more than a dozen representatives on Capitol Hill to discuss biodiesel. Issues included compatibility concerns for high-blend biodiesel with newly mandated Diesel Particulate Filters, and the importance of sustainability standards in biofuels policy.

This year’s keynote was a special screening of the newly released film FUEL, with a talk and discussion with Writer/Director Josh Tickell and Producer Rebecca Harrell. FUEL is a drama-documentary about America’s past, present, and possible future energy consumption – especially our dependence on petroleum.

Josh has been on the biodiesel scene since writing From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank, and spoke on two panels on Sunday as well. Check out www.thefuelfilm.com for a screening in a city near you.

Nearly 30 presenters doled out information at a rapid pace Saturday and Sunday, with three tracks of talks divided into: Feedstock Collection, Biodiesel Production, and End User/Distribution.

Check the power point presentations out here.

Attende

es displayed processors, vehicles and their wares in the American University quad after lunch on Saturday. That night, Calleva Farms sponsored a fab party on their property, transporting us on biodiesel buses and serving dinner grown in their garden, with tours of their biodiesel processor and a massive bonfire. The night ended with a talent show and some guitar and maracas.

Sunday afternoon attendees headed to Pogoil to see the biodiesel processor CBC Organizer (and biodieselSMARTER Editor Frankie Abralind) designed and runs.

The lobbying was such a success, with many participants saying how empowering it was to talk to government representatives about important biodiesel issues, that now there’s an online forum where biodiesel advocates can share research, discuss strategies and support each other’s efforts throughout the year. Anyone interested in participating can leave a note at http://collectivebiodiesel.proboards.com/.

Thanks to all the sponsors, speakers, volunteers and attendees for making this year’s conference an amazing experience!

For information about next year’s conference email biodieselconference@gmail.com.

-2009 Collective Biodiesel Conference Organizers

Caleb Daniels

Frankie Abralind

Lindsay Madeira

Lindsay Vacek

Jessy Bradish