National Algae Association associated email says “biodiesel industry is dead”, calls for end to farmer subsidies, as algal biofuels leaders descend on Washington to seek support
In Washington, leaders of the algae biofuels industry descended on Washington yesterday for a series of meetings coordinated by BIO with congressional legislators and staff. The group aimed to inform legislators in setting a Renewable Fuel Standard, Tax Code and Recovery Act funding inclusive of advanced algal biofuels technologies.
Leaders from LiveFuels and Aurora Biofuels joined with BIO in the effort. “Nurturing an algae biofuel industry in the United States will create jobs that cannot be outsourced,” said David Jones, COO of LiveFuels. “By supporting this industry, we can ensure new high-quality, well-paid jobs – not only in science and technology, but operations as well.”
Meanwhile, a representative of the National Algae Association, using the same email and Blackberry email address used by NAA chief Barry Cohen in private communications with Biofuels Digest, filed a comment on the Biofuels Digest website calling for an end to farmer subsidies. The post said that “There is no US domestic market for biodiesel. Even the Europeans stopped US biodiesel producers from dumping biodiesel in their markets. The biodiesel industry is dead.”
An anonymous communication was received from cecore@aol.com, this morning (June 11), following intial publication of this news item. It reads:
“You have quoted the comment made by cecore out of context. Please review the entire comment and issue a correction immediately, listing the reasons that were stated in the comment. Please keep in mind that NAA was formed was, in part, to try to save that industry. NBB happens to be a member of NAA, and your shortened version of this comment, taken out of context, is rather damaging.
“Further, this comment was not posted under anyone’s name. Several people have access to the cecore address. Do you not confirm comments from unidentified posters before publication? [note: a disparaging reference that continued here to an individual unconnected with the story was removed, at the request of the individual.]”
The comment in full that was submitted to the Digest said:
In our opinion, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is the front for the American Soybean Association. You cannot grow enough soy or corn for the fuel needs in the US without affecting the food channel.
The biodiesel industry and ethanol industry are both in the toilet. The farmers did well but the biodiesel producers and the ethanol producers are filing for bankruptcy all over the US. It was a “flawed plan” from the start. There is no US domestic market for biodiesel. Even the Europeans stopped US biodiesel producers from dumping biodiesel in their markets. The biodiesel industry is dead.
It is time for Mr. Feraci to hang it up. US citizens are tired of subsidizing these farmers. Not only is he criticizing the EPA but he has criticized other feedstock producers that grow non-edible feedstock that have no affect on the food channel.
He needs to stop being a “bully” and go back to his soybean farm. If not there are plenty of biodiesel plants all over the NBB can buy for twenty cents on the dollar.
STOP SUBSIDIZING THE FARMERS
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dsail | Jun 12, 2009 | Reply
The Algae Association says biodiesel is dead? Isn’t biodiesel the end goal of the entire algae industry? If so, shouldn’t they get out of town too? Surely they are not trying to attract government support and investment capital to a dead industry?
cole | Jun 13, 2009 | Reply
The biodiesel industry, as it is known today, has experienced tough times the last couple of years due to the high cost and availability of feedstocks. We have all seen the effect of taking items out of our food supply for fuel – the only ones who benefit are the farmers! The goal of the National Algae Association is to save the US biodiesel industry. Millions of dollars have already been spent on algae research, and there are no concrete reasons not to use develop it as an alternative feedstock. It is renewable, has no affect on the food channel and consumes CO2. It can create green jobs in the United States and help reduce dependence on foreign oil.
SCIPIO | Jun 15, 2009 | Reply
It appears to me that what is being said has more to do with not wasting money trying to transform food crop farmers into neo-oil barons. The generally accepted data tells me that it isn’t in reality possible for farmers in America to grow enough of anything and everything to both feed and transport all of us & our society’s goods even if human priority feedstocks were removed from the equation. The time has come for the alternative energy professionals to be allowed the opportunity to demonstrate what actually is economically feasible, not just theoretically possible. Why not a hybrid of algae oil and ethanol? Using both fuels for power generation seems to me to be best thing available assuming 100% green electricity is something the public is willing to fund and learn to manage.
As to the biodiesel industry being dead? If you thought you could pull some “get rich quick” scheme by processing restaurant grease or some currently cheap grain into biodiesel and selling it “overseas” for a quick buck, I agree that the foreseeably temporary nature of one of the more “charlatanesque” parts of the emerging biofuels industry has thankfully run it’s course. Biodiesel as a locally generated commodity is in it’s infancy. Decentralized production is coming soon near you.
As for wasting energy to transport such a local resource half-way around the globe, the world is now aware of the easy score in everybody’s own backyard. And the world thinks getting and keeping our own backyard in order before unethically putting loops in the energy circle would be a good thing. I agree.
The NAA does a fantastic job. This whole thing is some dolt’s pitiful attack just to rake the muck. For shame.