On hand for the opening of Hawaii's first off-grid biodiesel fueling station were L to R: Maui County Councilmember Mike Molina, Council Chairperson Alice Lee, Bob and Kelly King, DLNR Chair Suzanne Case and Reverend Kealahou Alika, who performed the blessing. |
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Pacific Biodiesel Installs Hawaii’s First Off-Grid Biodiesel Fueling Station
Innovative Station Opens at Maui’s Ma‘alaea Harbor to Serve Marine & Other Biodiesel Customers
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On June 3, Pacific Biodiesel opened an off-grid biodiesel fueling station at Maʻalaea Harbor on Maui – the first installation of its kind in the state.
Company Founders Bob and Kelly King, along with Suzanne Case, Chairperson of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, marked the occasion with a Blessing conducted by Reverend Kealahou Alika.
After welcoming the invited guests, Kelly King shared information about the company’s history and work in developing the innovative stations. “This station gives customers 24/7 access to biodiesel, making it more convenient to fuel up with our locally made, 100% renewable fuel,” said Kelly King. “Since installing it, I think we have a half dozen more customers because it’s so visible now; it’s such a beautiful station.”
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The off-grid station was delivered to Maʻalaea Harbor just days before the opening. These self-contained units can be easily dropped into locations around the state to serve customers who are committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to fight the effects of the climate crisis. |
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In This Issue
- Pacific Biodiesel Installs Hawaii's First Off-Grid Biodiesel Fueling Station
- Polynesian Voyaging Society's Hikianalia Fuels with Biodiesel
- Mahalo to Marine Biodiesel Customers on World Oceans Day
- Maritime TV - Earth Day Edition
- Pacific Biodiesel & Mana‘o Radio Benefit Concert Raises $72,000 for Ukraine Children
- Kelly King Announces Run for Mayor
- Magic Island Construction Now Powered by Biodiesel
- King Speaks at ICLEI World Congress
- Nā Leo TV to Feature Pacific Biodiesel and Maiden Hawaii Naturals
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Chair Case, Maui County Council Chairperson Alice Lee and Maui County Councilmember Mike Molina also gave remarks during the event supporting expanded use of biodiesel at the harbor.
“Biodiesel fits with DLNR's mission. We're doing so much work to protect our natural resources,” said DLNR Chair Suzanne Case. “Climate change is the biggest threat globally to our natural resources. We have to do everything possible to get off of fossil fuel, every single one of us. Biodiesel is non-toxic so it's good for the engines and it's good for our reef and our fishes."
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After the blessing, Bob and Kelly King untie the lei to open Hawaiiʻs first off-grid biodiesel station at Maui's Maʻalaea Harbor. Photo courtesy: DLNR
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The Hawaii Off Grid Architecture & Engineering team posed with Bob and Kelly King in a show of support for the new biodiesel station. |
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Since Hawaii’s harbors are situated in ecologically sensitive marine environments, they present ideal locations to serve marine vessels with biodegradable, non-toxic biodiesel.
Ma‘alaea Harbor is one of sixteen State small boat harbors operated by the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR). DLNR has also approved placement of a biodiesel fueling station at Honokōhau Small Boat Harbor in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island, which will open this summer. Several DLNR fleet vehicles on Maui already fuel up with biodiesel as part the Department’s effort to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
“This is an important public-private partnership in furtherance of our state’s renewable energy goals and climate change mitigation. DOBOR is working closely with Pacific Biodiesel on expanding access to local biodiesel which supports energy security and provides critically important environmental benefits,” said Chair Case.
Each fueling station holds 8,000 gallons of distilled biodiesel produced at Pacific Biodiesel’s refinery on Hawai‘i Island. The stations offer flexibility in providing fuel for on-road, off-road, and marine customers.
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Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Odyssey was the first marine vessel to get fuel at the new Maʻalaea biodiesel station. |
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Pacific Biodiesel Station Manager Chris Long fuels one of DLNRʻs trucks with 100% biodiesel. |
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Hawaii Off Grid owner and long-time biodiesel advocate David Sellers gives a thumbs up while fueling at the new station. |
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To use the biodiesel station at Ma‘alaea Harbor, customers must first download a free app (click here). To open a commercial account or to complete a tax exemption form to purchase fuel for marine or other off-road use, customers may contact Pacific Biodiesel’s station manager, Christopher Long, at 808.283.1855.
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Polynesian Voyaging Society's Hikianalia Fuels with Biodiesel
Voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia safely returned home to Oahu June 16 from their two-month Kealaikahiki Voyage to and from Hawaii's ancestral homeland of Tahiti, after multiple high-level ceremonies and engagements there with environmental and voyaging leadership from around the world. According to Polynesian Voyaging Society, the Kealaikahiki Voyage "focused on training the next generation of voyagers, honoring the relationship between Hawaiʻi and Tahiti, and starting initiatives to build Pacific connections in preparation for next year’s Moananuiākea Voyage."
During this important voyage, Hikianalia, the sister canoe to Hōkūleʻa, was fueled with 100% biodiesel produced in Hawaii by Pacific Biodiesel.
"As Hōkūleʻa's escort vessel, Hikianalia requires adequate power to meet our safety requirements at sea," said Nainoa Thompson, CEO of Polynesian Voyaging Society. "We feel fortunate to have Pacific Biodiesel here in Hawaiʻi to provide a renewable fuel alternative for our canoe that is clean and safe for our oceans."
The canoe has been fueling with biodiesel since 2021.
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Pacific Biodiesel Oahu Plant Manager Brian Leighton, seen here in the truck, delivered fuel to the Hikianalia during an earlier stop on Oahu. |
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Polynesian Voyaging Society's Bob Perkins received an "Ocean Friendly Biodiesel" flag for Hikianalia from Pacific Biodiesel's Brian Leighton last year on World Oceans Day. |
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Pacific Biodiesel R&D Manager Doug Olds onboard the Hikianalia with Senior Captain/First Mate Bob Perkins and crew member Amanda Millin from Polynesian Voyaging Society. |
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It was an honor for our team to supply our locally made, clean biodiesel for Hikianalia," said Brian Leighton, Pacific Biodiesel's Oahu Plant Manager. "Our non-toxic, biodegradable fuel is ideal for use on the ocean and it supports their mission of Mālama Honua to care for our Island Earth."
To learn more about Polynesian Voyaging Society and hear stories from its crew about the Kealaikahiki Voyage, visit www.waahonua.com. This virtual "Third Canoe" website was recently launched by PVS to allow "audiences to virtually follow the canoes’ journey through a voyaging dashboard, video stories, articles and educational resources."
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A Mahalo Shoutout to Marine Biodiesel Customers on World Oceans Day |
Each year, June 8 is designated by the United Nations as “World Oceans Day” to shed light on the communities, ideas, and solutions that work together to protect and revitalize our oceans.
On return from their morning excursions that day, the crews from Trilogy I and Aqua Adventures were presented with "Ocean Friendly Biodiesel" decals and bumper stickers by the Pacific Biodiesel team in gratitude for their commitment to protect our marine environment by fueling with 100% biodiesel.
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Trilogy I crew members (L to R) Richard Pagano, Dave Prince, Eleni Debotton, Director of Operations Stephen Bennett and Captain Rick Shaw. |
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Following the morning’s snuba and snorkel tour, Captain Mike Peavy, at left, and the crew of Aqua Adventures took time to show their continued support for biodiesel. |
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Aqua Adventures was the first Ma’alaea marine customer to fuel with 100% biodiesel when Pacific Biodiesel began delivery to the harbor in 2014 and has never wavered in their commitment to using Pacific Biodiesel's non-toxic and biodegradable renewable fuel.
The crew of Trilogy I added their “Ocean Friendly Biodiesel” decal to their dock box at Ma’alaea Harbor so all guests will see it as they board the vessel. Both Trilogy I and Trilogy II, which sail from Ma’alaea Harbor, fuel with locally produced 100% biodiesel, provided by Pacific Biodiesel.
Learn more about World Oceans Day here.
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Maritime TV - Earth Day Edition |
Pacific Biodiesel Founder and President Bob King was a guest speaker for the Earth Day edition of DigiMariner VI, a production of Maritime TV, in support of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
King’s presentation covered a wide scope of topics specific to the marine audience. King, who was a diesel mechanic before founding Pacific Biodiesel, shared his experience in the industry and the many benefits of using biodiesel in marine applications.
Maritime TV, the world’s first maritime TV channel, is the industry’s pre-eminent channel for live and archived webcasts and video presentations involving the commercial and military shipping industry. Programming on Maritime TV ranges from congressional hearings on important marine industry issues, to live interactive town hall and advocacy group meetings, to training on shipboard safety and operational fundamentals.
Watch the presentation here or click on the image above .
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Pacific Biodiesel & Mana‘o Radio Benefit Concert Raises $72,000 for Ukraine Children
Concert Held in Blooming Sunflower Field at Pacific Biodiesel Founders’ Farm
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Pacific Biodiesel and Mana‘o Radio presented "A Concert for Ukraine in the Maui Sunflowers” on April 24 to benefit UNICEF USA for Ukraine Emergency Relief to support children in Ukraine during this time of crisis. The benefit concert and farm tour event – which sold out in less than two weeks – was held at the Kings’ farm in Maui's Central Valley where 35 acres of sunflowers – the national flower of Ukraine – were in full bloom. |
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Many Maui musicians donated their time and talent to perform at this benefit concert where more than 400 were in attendance. The event raised more than $72,000 for UNICEF USA, including a generous donation match from philanthropists Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.
“I am so proud of Maui residents for stepping up, heart and soul, to come together for the children and families victimized by the unprovoked war on Ukraine,” said Pacific Biodiesel Co-Founder Kelly King.
“This was the largest public sunflower farm tour event we’ve held – and adding the concert was a joint effort of so many sponsors, musicians and volunteers, all of whom share Maui's compassion, love and desire for peace," King said.
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Pacific Biodiesel and Manaʻo Radio sponsored the benefit event which raised more than $72,000 to benefit UNICEF USAʻs efforts to help the children of Ukraine. |
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"The joy in hearing the best of our local music and knowing what a good cause we were all working toward," she continued, "was evident in the great comments of appreciation from so many participants. It was a privilege for my husband and I to co-host such a beautiful event with our friends at Mana‘o Radio!”
During the event, special guests Vladlena Bugay and her Ukrainian family, who were vacationing on Maui when the war began and are now refugees here, participated in the opening Blessing, shared their story and sang the Ukraine National Anthem alongside Maui’s Gail Swanson who performed the anthem on flute. Later, Maui County Councilmembers Kelly King and Gabe Johnson presented to the Bugay family a Maui County Resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Accompanied by Gail Swanson on flute, Ukrainian refugee Vladlena Bugay sang the Ukraine National Anthem, one of many highlights of the day.
Photo credit: ShootingStarsMaui
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Pacific Biodiesel Co-founder Kelly King and Manaʻo Radio Board President Michael Elam shared the mic as they welcomed guests to the benefit concert. Photo credit: Manaʻo Radio
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According to UNICEF USA on its website: “As of mid-May, 7.7 million people were internally displaced and more than 6.4 million people — including nearly two-thirds of all children in Ukraine, at a rate of one child every second — had crossed into Poland, Romania, Moldova, Slovakia, Hungary and other neighboring countries, according to data from UNHCR, the UN's lead refugee agency.”
UNICEF USA calls this refugee crisis unprecedented in Europe since World War II. For more information or to donate to UNICEF USA for Ukraine Emergency Relief, go to www.unicefusa.org.
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Kelly King Announces Run for Mayor |
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Pacific Biodiesel Co-Founder Kelly King, currently serving her third term on the Maui County Council, announced her candidacy for Mayor of Maui County at a press conference on June 7 at Maui Tropical Plantation.
King joins a crowded race for the mayoral primary election to be held on August 13.
“This is the third office I’ll be running for against an incumbent, and the third time the community came to me offering campaign workers and funding," explained King. "It’s hard to ignore a call like this. I accepted the challenge to run for mayor as an opportunity to bring true transparency and accountability to our county administration, and also to focus on implementing our shared goals and objectives as outlined in the Maui Countywide Policy Plan”.
King previously served in two elected positions, including Hawaii State Board of Education, Maui Rep. and Maui County Councilmember.
To learn about King's campaign click here or on the image above. |
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Voter Registration Info:
The last day to submit paper Voter Registration Applications for the 2022 Primary Election is August 3, 2022. People eligible to vote in the State of Hawaii may register to vote or update their voter registration online at https://olvr.hawaii.gov/.
You may also submit a paper voter registration form to the Office of the County Clerk in person or by mail. You may mail the form to:
Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division,
200 S High St., Kalana O Maui Building, #708
Wailuku, HI 96793
If you will be away from your registered mailing address and require your ballot to be delivered to an alternate address for a specific election or an election cycle, you may submit a one-time absentee application.
Primary Election 2022 - Dates to Remember
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Voters begin receiving Primary Election mail ballot packet: July 26, 2022
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Voter Service Centers Open: August 1, 2022
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Deadline to submit a paper Voter Registration Application for the Primary Election: August 3, 2022
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Absentee Mail Application Deadline: August 6, 2022
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Primary Election Day: August 13, 2022
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Magic Island Construction Now Powered by Biodiesel |
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Magic Island Construction has made the switch to “Earth friendly” biodiesel.
“I didn’t know about biodiesel until I drove by and noticed your office,” said Lynn Rindlisbacher, owner of the Maui-based construction company. “I’m from Utah and there are no biodiesel plants in our area, so I hadn’t heard about it before.”
Initially attracted by the price and delivery options, once Rindlisbacher understood about the many benefits of locally produced biodiesel and the ability to use the fuel without any equipment modifications, he gave the green light for his team to make the switch.
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The company is currently working on the Wailele Ridge condo project in Napili on the west side of the island. Since April, Magic Island Construction has used B100 in all its off-road construction equipment for the 158-unit condo project, including skid steers, track hoes, front-end loaders, forklifts and boom lifts.
“All of our equipment has run just fine; we’ve had no problems,” Rindlisbacher reported. “Our team is very happy with the performance. And, believe me, I’d would hear if they had any issues.”
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Magic Island Construction Equipment Operator Shane Stratton puts a "Powered by Biodiesel" sticker on the excavator, one of many pieces of equipment now fueled by Pacific Biodiesel with 100% biodiesel. |
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Members of the Magic Island Construction team seen here working on the project's new swimming pool facility are from L to R: Loader Operator Tavita Faleofa; General Laborer Isaac Moniz; Assistant Project Supervisor Carlos Perez and Shane Stratton, Excavator Operator. |
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Rindlisbacher's companies have bulit several other projects in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Colorado, including several hundred apartments, concrete tilt-up warehouses, single family homes and townhomes. |
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King Speaks at ICLEI World Congress |
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Pacific Biodiesel Co-founder, Maui County Councilmember and ICLEI USA Board Member Kelly King traveled to Malmö, Sweden in May to present at this year’s ICLEI World Congress.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is the leading global network of more than 2,500 cities, towns and regions committed to building a sustainable future. Active in 125+ countries, they influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient, and circular development.
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Every three years, ICLEI holds a World Congress to showcase how local and regional governments across its network are advancing sustainable urban development worldwide. |
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“It has been an honor to serve on the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and to attend the ICLEI World Congress as a speaker,” said King. “We continue to focus on multi-level collaboration for more immediate and effective climate solutions, so representing the State of Hawaii’s efforts for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the plenary session was an incredible opportunity!”
King participated in a number of sessions at the conference, including a panel focused on horizontal collaboration with local stakeholders and community partners. King also presented Hawaii's approach "the Aloha Plus Challenge" during an international workshop-styled session with representatives from South Korea, Sweden, Brazil and Australia.
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In a session moderated by Yunus Arikan, Director of Global Advocacy, ICLEI World Secretariat, King joined Katja Dörner, the Mayor of the City of Bonn, Germany and ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member on the panel to discuss equitable and inclusive implementation of sustainable local development.
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- Biofuels and Feedstocks 2022
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After two years of “virtual” meetings, Director of Operations Jenna Long and Marketing Director Joy Galatro headed off to the Windy City last month to attend "Biofuels and Feedstocks 2022", a conference that brought together leading experts from The Jacobsen, AgriCensus and EnergyCensus, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
As the biofuels and feedstocks industry continues to gain global interest, the event was an opportunity to hear the latest on supply availability, understand the legislative changes affecting the market and discuss the critical issues affecting the North American and worldwide industry.
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Pacific Biodiesel Director of Operations Jenna Long at the Chicago conference last month. |
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“It was a very productive trip,” noted Long. “This in-person event gave us the opportunity to renew relationships with some of our current suppliers, meet potential partners and explore new opportunities for feedstock procurement.” |
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- Pacific Biodiesel Sponsors 2022 WCPSC Conference
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The Western Conference of Public Service Commissioners (WCPSC) is a regional association within the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). The educational conference meets annually in one of the 14 Western states. Hawaii was selected for this year’s event.
Pacific Biodiesel was one of the sponsors of 2022 conference. President Bob King and Director of Operations Jenna Long attended the event held at the Alohilani Resort at Waikiki Beach earlier this month.
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Pacific Biodiesel's Jenna Long and Bob King attended the Honolulu conference. |
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"Attending the conference gave us more insight into the challenges faced by the industry and regulatory agencies as they manage the transition to renewables," noted King.
Numerous sessions focused on the transition to renewable energy including infrastructure investments, improved integration of renewables, electrification, and carbon accounting.
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Nā Leo TV to feature Pacific Biodiesel in New Series |
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Earlier this month, Pacific Biodiesel welcomed a crew from Nā Leo TV to its refinery on Hawaii Island for a tour and interviews with employees for an upcoming episode on the station’s new science and technologies series, "Island Science.” The following day, the crew visited Pacific Biodiesel's largest customer on Hawaii Island, Hamakua Energy, for a tour of the power generation facility and interviews with its leadership team. |
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Pacific Biodiesel Plant Manager Al Leung is taped during an interview with "Island Science" host Matt Cordero at its Keaʻau biodiesel refinery. |
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Nā Leo TV provides television access to facilitate diverse community dialogue and educational awareness for the citizens of Hawaiʻi Island.
“Island Science” will feature innovative science and technology episodes featuring exciting projects, businesses and happenings on Hawaii Island. The series will air on Spectrum channels 53, 54, and/or 55 as well as “video on demand" on their website.
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Shown in these photos, host Matt Cordero interviews Director of Operations Jenna Long, Maiden Hawaii Naturals Operations Manager Jamie Twigg-Smith, and Scott Valentino, President of Pacific Current, which owns the Hamakua Energy facility.
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A recent article in Biobased Diesel Daily points out: "... federal, state and local policymakers are pushing to eradicate diesel fuel in favor of electrification, hydrogen, and products that are simply not ready for prime time. No surprise, there has been growing interest in biomass-based diesel as an alternative to electrification, as well as a solution for immediate carbon reductions. Biodiesel is leading the way nationally with efforts to move to higher and higher blends....With major political and societal focuses on lowering the carbon intensity of energy and transport, biodiesel and renewable diesel are both rational, available choices to keep liquid fuels feasible for years to come." Read the article published by Biobased Diesel Daily.
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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds Signs Landmark Biofuels Bill |
On May 17, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that makes Iowa the first state in the nation to adopt E15 as its standard blend of gasoline and also expands consumer access to higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel. Read the full article here.
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SLD to power equipment fleet with biodiesel |
SLD Pumps & Power (SLD) in Scotland has switched exclusively to biodiesel fuel to power its nationwide equipment fleet.
A pilot initiative with the new cleaner-burning fuel was introduced at the company's Glasgow branch to coincide with the global COP26 climate change conference organized in the city by the United Nations. Find the full article here.
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Over the course of the winter season, Iowa's 10 snow-removal and road-maintenance trucks were powered by 100 percent biodiesel (B100). They used more than 9,000 gallons of biodiesel and successfully treated almost 55,000 miles of roadway, significantly lowering carbon emissions at the same time, the first DOT in the nation to deploy sustainable solutions in its plows, as electric alternatives don’t exist and would not be as effective in these applications. Read more here.
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CSL successfully completes world’s largest B100 biofuel tests |
"In late November 2021, CSL successfully completed the world’s longest-running trials of B100 biodiesel on marine engines, accumulating nearly 30,000 running hours. Conducted on half of CSL’s Canadian fleet, the tests resulted in a 23 percent total fleet life cycle reduction of CO2 as compared to marine gas oil (MGO)." Find the full article here.
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Biodiesel can help address health inequities in EJ communities |
"What’s good for the earth is often good for its human occupants, too. That’s the message from Clean Fuels Alliance America as it releases the results of Phase 2 of a groundbreaking study on the air quality benefits of biodiesel – especially in the context of underserved Environmental Justice communities." Find out the details in this article i n Biobased Diesel Daily.
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Wabtec, Union Pacific partner to reduce emissions with biodiesel |
"Union Pacific Railroad will begin using a higher biodiesel blend in locomotives it acquired from Wabtec. The new collaboration helps Union Pacific as it works to increase the percentage of low-carbon fuels consumed to 10 percent of its total diesel consumption by 2025 and 20 percent by 2030. " Read the full article here.
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Japanese shipping firm signs MOU for a joint study on the full-scale supply of biodiesel fuel |
"Japanese shipping firm Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), has signed a memorandum of understanding for a joint study on the full-scale supply of biodiesel fuel. The use of biodiesel is expected to achieve a 25 to 30% reduction in CO 2 emissions on a mix of 30% biodiesel and 70% conventional heavy fuel oil." Read more here.
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Founded in 1995, Pacific Biodiesel is the nation's longest operating and most experienced biodiesel producer, and the only commercial producer of liquid biofuels in the state. A Maui-based company with nearly 100 employees statewide, we established the first retail biodiesel pump in America and for 27 years we've been an innovative leader in the renewable energy industry. With a nameplate production capacity of 5.5 million gallons annually, our refinery on Hawaii Island utilizes advanced technology to produce premium distilled biodiesel. Our company has always focused on recycling with a zero waste philosophy that incorporates development of value-added co-products. Today, our collaborative, community-based "agriculture and energy" production model demonstrates a circular economy approach to fighting climate change and helps Hawaii achieve a clean, sustainable energy future. |
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Founded on Maui in 1995, Pacific Biodiesel is Hawaii's only commercial producer of liquid biofuels.
Our Mission: To promote a clean, sustainable energy future through the community-based production of renewable fuels
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Pacific Biodiesel
40 Hobron Avenue, Kahului Hi 96732
Editor: Joy Galatro, Marketing Director
Staff Writer & Layout: Beth Mathias, Marketing Associate
For more information visit our website
or contact Beth Mathias at
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