"Eye on Biodiesel" awards recognize industry champions

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two seafaring captains and musician Melissa Etheridge were among the fuel advocates for environmentally friendly biodiesel recognized at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, which wrapped up today. The National Biodiesel Board's 2009 "Eye on Biodiesel Award" winners are:

Influence - Melissa Etheridge. Grammy and Academy Award winner Etheridge often powers her worldwide tours with biodiesel. Etheridge said she liked using biodiesel in her tour vehicles so much that she sold her personal cars to buy a diesel SUV, which she calls the "Bio-Beast."

Inspiration - Bryan Peterson and Pete Bethune. Fourteen years ago Peterson made his way around the world in a biodiesel powered boat. Peterson's adventure generated some of the earliest news on biodiesel. New Zealander Bethune's Earthrace boat, fueled by biodiesel, broke the speed record for circumnavigating the world in 60 days.

Initiative - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. In 2006, Newsom issued an Executive Directive to increase biodiesel use in San Francisco. Today, virtually all of the city's 1,500 diesel vehicles run on B20.

Industry Partnership - Ronald Hayes/State of Missouri and Randy Jennings/State of Tennessee. Both worked in conjunction with state and national regulatory agencies to create and enforce standards for biodiesel fuel. They also helped develop test methods and labeling requirements.

Impact - Randall von Wedel. Von Wedel helped bring biodiesel to the West Coast. Since the early '90s, he opened California's first retail pump, implemented biodiesel in major fleets, introduced fleet quality control programs, and helped pioneer biodiesel marine uses.

The NBB also presented the Pioneer Award to Kenlon Johannes, the first Executive Director of the National SoyDiesel Development Board, which later became the NBB.

"To mirror the theme of this year's conference, 'Leading Change Now,' each of these leaders is furthering our mission of public education on biodiesel's societal benefits, and opening doors for the growth of the fuel. They have helped to bring positive change in the U.S.," said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. "Honorees have either brought a public face to the fuel's effectiveness, or have eliminated barriers for greater acceptance of the fuel."

NBB (www.biodiesel.org) is the national trade association of the biodiesel industry.

SOURCE National Biodiesel Board