Inside Clean Fuels Allliance America

Donnell Rehagen, CEO, Clean Fuels Alliance America

Adding Another Leaf to the Table: National Biodiesel Board Becomes Clean Fuels Alliance America

A few years ago, my wife, Shelly, and I visited Greece. It filled me with wonder to think about how challenging life must have been, and yet the ancient Greeks built massive architectural structures without the modern tools and machines we have today.

When I think about the past 30 years of the biodiesel industry, I am reminded of the Greek God, Sisyphus. In Greek mythology, he pushed a giant boulder uphill for eternity. I’d say our industry, like other alternative fuels, has felt that way a number of times. However, I’d say fuels like biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel are better represented by Athena. She was known to represent wisdom and the virtues of justice, skill and victory. We have never let the challenges overtake our spirits. Instead, we have held our heads high and strategized our next moves. At last, we’re reaching a point we had long dreamed of—perhaps even beyond what we initially envisioned. The tables have turned. Our fuels are in demand to help people meet their goals and help America reach a low-carbon future. We’re here and we’re making an impact now, not waiting until decades into the future.

As the biodiesel industry celebrates its 30th anniversary, I am reminded that the soybean farmers and leaders who founded our organization had great faith, foresight and fortitude. These humble beginnings in 1992, and the small group of leaders and visionaries who started our industry, are the reason that it, even today, seems like a family—and now, a growing family. In 1992, no biodiesel had been produced commercially yet, and today, we produce 3 billion gallons a year of biodiesel and renewable diesel.

The emphasis on carbon reduction across the globe has opened new doors. Net zero commitments from governments and corporations have raised interest in low-carbon fuels like never before. We are making great strides in markets like marine, rail and aviation that previously had been, at best, neutral to us. Likewise, when considering options to help reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from their vehicles and equipment, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and fleets are also taking a much deeper look at us. While electric solutions are still under development, clean, advanced biofuels such as biodiesel and renewable diesel are readily available now for use in existing diesel engines. Most OEMs, including Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Cummins and many others, currently support the use of 20% biodiesel blends in their diesel equipment. However, forward-looking fleets from coast to coast—including several in California, Chicago, Madison, Washington, D.C. and New York City—are looking to higher blends of biodiesel, even up to B100, to lower their carbon footprint even more dramatically.

Our vision statement says that “Biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel will be recognized as mainstream low-carbon fuel options with superior performance and emission characteristics.” There is room for all these fuels at our industry’s family table. In that spirit, the National Biodiesel Board has added another leaf. This January, we made it official: We are now Clean Fuels Alliance America. This new brand will transform our image and position us as a proven, innovative part of America’s clean energy mix, now and in the future. In the process, we’re inspiring America’s energy and transportation leaders to discover new sources of scalable, cleaner fuels.

Biodiesel remains a foundation of our association. Our country couldn’t be having real conversations about carbon reduction targets today if it weren’t for the work of those in biodiesel.

Athena was known as “one who fights in front.” As Clean Fuels Alliance America, we move to the front, proudly blazing a new path forward in clean energy.

Donnell Rehagen CEO, Clean Fuels Alliance America CleanFuels.org

INSIDE CLEAN FUELS ALLIANCE AMERICA

Veronica Bradley

Bringing Passion to the Clean Fuels Alliance America

For Veronica Bradley, her environmental work is more than just a job—it’s personal. “I know that the lake that I grew up on in Michigan isn’t the same lake today,” she says. “There’s no more ice fishing because the ice doesn’t get thick enough. I think climate change is a very real thing, and that’s where I see the urgency of the immediate solution

in clean fuels.”

As the new director of environmental science for Clean Fuels Alliance America, formerly the National Biodiesel Board, Bradley is uniting her scientific background, legal experience and passion for preserving the environment. “I have an undergraduate degree that focused on environmental studies, so I learned all of the nature-based sciences that gave me a foundation to understand our issues and the science behind the solutions to our environmental issues,” she says.

Bradley says that she has always had a deep connection with nature and a great interest in protecting it for future generations, including her two young children. “I want them to be able to see the world as I’ve been able to see it,” she says. “There’s a genuine sense of ‘pack-in, pack-out’ if you’re a hiker—leave the place as good as you found it, if not better.”

As director of environmental science, Bradley will provide the scientific foundation to promote policies that encourage the use of biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. “One of the things I’ve always been interested in, and I think aligns with Clean Fuels, is working in the space of reducing our environmental impact without compromising our quality of life,” she says.

Bradley says that this work intrigues her because while most people want to have a positive impact on the environment, not everyone can make major life changes. “They have so many other priorities that compete with thinking about what’s the most environmentally beneficial option, and working in the clean fuels space, you don’t have to change anything,” she says. “You just get the different fuel, and you can carry on with your life. You’re making a better choice.”

At Clean Fuels, she will develop policy positions and work with program offices to promote the environmental benefits of these fuels. She says that some states have had great success in promoting and incentivizing the use of clean fuels, and these programs can be rolled out across the country to help states and local governments meet their climate commitments.

Bradley’s Midwestern perspective helps her express the significance of farmers to policymakers in Washington, D.C., and across the country. “I think that people that live in cities, in particular, are disconnected from their food and the land in some ways. The farmers’ importance to support urban life can’t be underscored enough,” she says.

Bradley’s previous experience includes working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and American Wind Energy Association. Most recently, she served as the director of environmental affairs at Airlines for America, where she worked in environmental advocacy on climate issues, corporate sustainability disclosure and more. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from the University of Michigan in 2007, and earned her juris doctor magna cum laude from American University Washington College of Law in 2014.

Bradley stepped into her new position at Clean Fuels in early May, working out of the Washington, D.C., office.

Clean Fuels Connects In February, Clean Fuels Through D.C. Events Alliance America sponsored the 2022 Energy Independence Summit, which drew thousands of attendees, including Sens. Debbie Stabenow and John Boozman, chairwoman and ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, respectively. The annual conference, hosted by Transportation Energy Partners, brings together the nearly 90 Clean Cities coalitions from across the country to discuss transportation issues and opportunities.

David Cobb, Clean Fuels director of federal affairs, educated the conference participants about the status of the Renewable Fuel Standard rules and the biodiesel tax incentive, which is set to expire at the end of this year. “The biodiesel and renewable diesel market grew to 3.2 billion gallons in 2021—the highest level ever,” Cobb noted. “Our industry needs EPA to set higher volumes and timely rules for 2022 and beyond to support that growth.”

Clean Fuels’ sponsorship allowed Floyd Vergara, director of state governmental affairs, to present progress on a study of the health benefits communities can achieve by using biodiesel to replace diesel fuel.

March 24 was National Ag Day. In recognition, Clean Fuels partnered with member company Optimus Technologies and two D.C. fleets—the District of Columbia Department of Public Works and the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority—to showcase trucks that run on low-carbon 100% biodiesel in the nation’s capital. “The District of Columbia continues to be celebrated as a leader in the use of alternative fuel vehicles,” said Department of Public Works Interim Director Mike Carter, whose agency displayed one of their brand new B100 packers. “Altogether, the District’s government fleet consists of more than 700 biodiesel and alternative fuel vehicles.”

Clean Fuels appreciates the support of the Kansas Soybean Commission, Nebraska Soybean Board and North Dakota Soybean Council for helping sponsor these events.