Pacific Biodiesel continues to combat climate change in a range of ways - from representing Hawaii on national and international stages to statewide recycling of used cooking oil and promoting the use of biodiesel in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
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Pacific Biodiesel Co-Founder Selected to Represent Hawaii on EPA Committee and at Global Climate Change Summit
Kelly King Appointed to EPA Advisory Committee; Invited to Participate in UN's Climate Change Conference of the Parties
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Pacific Biodiesel Co-Founder and Maui County Councilmember Kelly King was recently appointed to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee. The announcement was made in August by EPA administrator Michael S. Regan who selected King and 33 other new LGAC appointees from more than 150 nominees.
The 39-member committee, which includes 20 women, is composed of councilmembers, mayors and other elected and appointed officials from 30 states, Tribal nations and U.S. territories, representing a diverse cross-section of cities, counties, towns and communities across the United States, Regan said.
The LGAC provides independent policy advice to the EPA administrator on critical environmental issues affecting local governments and their residents.
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Pacific Biodiesel Co-founder Kelly King will be representing Hawaii nationally and internationally for climate change solutions. |
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In This Issue
- Pacific Biodiesel Co-Founder Selected to Represent Hawaii on EPA Committee and at Global Climate Change Summit
- In a "Code Red" for Humanity, UN Warns of Accelerating Climate Crisis
- Industry Emphasizes Benefits of Biodiesel for On-Road Emission Reductions
- First Mobile Biodiesel Station Slated for Ma'alaea Harbor
- Today Is National Manufacturing Day
- Pacific Biodiesel Employees Tour Hamakua Energy Facility
- Pacific Biodiesel Featured in Feeding Hawaii: Portraits of Resilience
- King Named to Red Cross Board
- RDS Transport Partners with Pacific Biodiesel
- Oahu Processing Facility Adds Infrastructure
- Spreading the Word about Recycling
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“I take seriously this opportunity to provide guidance on environmental and climate change impacts to local governments, proactive rather than reactive infrastructure, promotion of circular economies and methods to improve quality of life for communities big and small,” said King. “As the only appointee from Hawai‘i, it is my privilege and great responsibility to provide our islands a voice and representation at the table.”
Currently, King also serves on the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties’ executive committee, as a member of the Maui Nui Food Alliance Steering Committee and on the board of directors for ICLEI USA and the National Association of Counties’ Western Interstate Region.
King chairs the Maui County Council’s Climate Action, Resilience and Environment Committee and has authored legislation to express the council’s support for sustainable tourism, a transition to a circular economy, the Paris Climate Accord and the THRIVE Agenda, “Transform, Heal and Renew by Investing in a Vibrant Economy.” In the council’s annual budget sessions, she is a consistent advocate for recycling, wastewater reuse, open space acquisition, smart growth and environmental protection.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee will hold their first meeting this fall. For more information about the LGAC, click here.
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King Receives Prestigious Invitation to Attend UN COP26 in Glasgow |
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Last week, Kelly King learned she is one of just two U.S. ICLEI delegates invited to participate in the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to be held in November in Glasgow, Scotland. The other is ICLEI president, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie.
In her invitation, Angie Fyfe, Executive Director of ICLEI USA wrote, “Your leadership speaks for itself, and your standing as a female leader in the Pacific Islands is especially important. Yours is a voice we want to have heard around the world from Glasgow.”
King said about the opportunity, "I’m overwhelmed and honored to be invited to represent at COP26! It’s also a great responsibility which I don’t take lightly, and I hope to convey the dire needs of our island communities around the globe."
The COP26 event is a global United Nations summit about climate change and how countries will accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. The summit will be attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty agreed in 1994. The 2021 meeting will be the 26th meeting of the Conference of the Parties, hence COP26.
ICLEI USA is the United States country office of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability and the leading technical experts on greenhouse gas emissions accounting, climate action, and resilience and sustainability planning.
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Code Red for Humanity: UN Warns of Accelerating Climate Crisis
Latest IPCC report released by the United Nations calls for immediate reduction in GHG emissions
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In August, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued its latest report on the state of the planet’s climate in crisis. The urgency of the matter was summed up in two words: "Code Red."
The report points to the world’s continued use of fossil fuel as the undeniable, overwhelming cause of the crisis. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from burning fossil fuel are contributing to waves of environmental disasters around the globe, from more frequent and powerful hurricanes, to ravaging wildfires and record heat waves, to sea level rise impacts increasingly apparent here in Hawaii. As Blue Planet stated, "The report makes clear what we must do now: end the use of fossil fuels before they end us."
Media quickly reported the IPCC’s dire assessment:
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“A Major Report Warns Climate Change Is Accelerating and Humans Must Cut Emissions Now” – NPR
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“In the new IPCC report, the world's leading climate experts laid out how extreme weather will grow more common unless "drastic" cuts to emissions are made now.” – National Geographic
But scientists say it’s not too late. As one NPR article stated, “Despite the disastrous descriptions of our hotter Earth, the new report also makes clear that it is not too late to curb global warming. The more humans reduce emissions this decade, the more livable Earth will be for the rest of this century and for many centuries to come.”
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
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Fuel with biodiesel. If you have a diesel engine, you can use this locally produced renewable fuel. Biodiesel is available right now here in Hawaii. You can transition your diesel vehicle, fleet, farm equipment or generator to biodiesel today and reduce your emissions by 86% as compared to petroleum diesel.
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Buy local. Support local farmers and products instead of buying imported food and items that ship to our state via fossil fuel-powered transportation.
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Reduce the use of plastics. Plastic production and manufacturing require an enormous amount of energy and resources, causing CO2 emissions that contribute to global warming.
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Support the companies that are part of the biodiesel “circle of sustainability.”
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Pacific Biodiesel Director of Operations Jenna Long noted, “Even if you don’t have a diesel vehicle you can support companies and restaurants that are committed to using and supporting biodiesel. There are a wide variety of businesses that are fueling with biodiesel from the utilities to tour boats, farmers and trash companies. You can patronize the companies that choose to use biodiesel even though the State doesn’t require them to do so.” |
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Jenna Long, Pacific Biodiesel Director of Operations. |
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Long added, “Many of Hawaii’s restaurants, hotels and other foodservice facilities recycle their used cooking oil with Pacific Biodiesel so it can be made into our locally produced renewable fuel. When you frequent these restaurants, you are helping to promote clean energy, fuel security and the sustainability of our communities.” |
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Industry Emphasizes Benefits of Biodiesel for On-Road Emission Reductions
Biobased diesel fuel highlighted as a low-carbon, proven and available climate change solution
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The urgency for Hawaii’s clean energy future has never been more apparent. While EV has been at the forefront of Hawaii’s plan for emission reductions in its transportation sector, EV is an important – but not the only – solution.
Biodiesel is by far the lowest lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) transportation fuel in Hawaii today. When the electric grid becomes 100% renewable and batteries are produced using 100% renewable energy, then electric vehicles may match the lifecycle GHG of 100% biodiesel-fueled vehicles. And biodiesel is available today for use in any diesel engine.
These recent articles emphasize the immediate environmental benefits of biodiesel:
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“What we emit today stays in the atmosphere long after it has been emitted. Waiting for the promise of zero-emissions solutions actually makes the problem worse as it does nothing to address cumulative emissions. When it comes to solutions to reduce emissions from the heavy-duty sector, we should rely on biobased diesel fuel to do the most to reduce these emissions today as zero-emissions solutions in some applications are planned for the future,” noted David Slade, Executive Director, Biofuel Technology and Services, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. Click here for the Diesel Technology Forum article.
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California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a report earlier this year that shows “total GHG reductions from biomass-based diesel were 3x the total reductions due to electric vehicles. Newly released data from CARB shows that low carbon transportation fuels powering internal combustion engines deliver the state’s biggest reduction in transportation-related sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel are the biggest carbon-cutting technologies from the transportation sector, edging out ethanol and beating the benefits of electrified cars, trucks and buses by three to one,” according to the Diesel Technology Forum. Find the details here in Biobased Diesel Daily.
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First Mobile Biodiesel Station Slated for Maʻalaea Harbor
Following testimony by Pacific Biodiesel at its meeting in August, the State of Hawaii’s Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously approved installation of one of the company’s new mobile biodiesel fueling stations at Maʻalaea Harbor on Maui. Through USDA grant funding, Pacific Biodiesel is producing these innovative stations that can be quickly placed in convenient locations throughout the state to serve customers eager to do their part to help reduce GHG emissions. These self-contained stations are flexible to serve both marine/off-road and on-road biodiesel customers.
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The mobile biodiesel fueling stations will feature a canopy and be available for 24/7 fueling. The first mobile station will be installed at Maʻalaea Harbor in the coming months. |
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“This mobile biodiesel fueling station at Ma‘alaea Harbor will give customers the convenience of fueling up 24/7 with 100% biodiesel. It also enables them to support our local company, creating local jobs as we proudly produce this renewable fuel that provides a ripple effect of benefits to Hawaii’s economy and environment,” Pacific Biodiesel Marketing Director Joy Galatro said in her testimony.
Installation of the mobile biodiesel station will be announced in the near future.
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Today Is National Manufacturing Day
National Manufacturing Day is celebrated each year on the first Friday in October. The day is set aside to celebrate the manufacturers who make the products that keep us safe, enrich our lives, strengthen our economic and national security, and provide countless opportunities for our communities and workforce.
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Pacific Biodiesel fits the bill. Founded on Maui in 1995, Pacific Biodiesel is Hawaii’s only commercial producer of liquid biofuels, annually producing at its refinery on Hawaii Island more than 5.5 million gallons of premium, distilled biodiesel – which is the equivalent to 220 MWh per day of 100% renewable energy for Hawaii.
This renewable fuel, sold entirely in Hawaii, supports the State’s mandate to reach 100% renewable electricity production by 2045.
“Our locally made biodiesel creates local jobs, supports the state’s economy, and reduces reliance on imported fuel to increase Hawaii’s energy security,” said Director of Operations Jenna Long.
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Pacific Biodiesel's Hawaii Island refinery. |
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“Since our technicians are the only liquid biofuel production team in Hawaii, they have led the way in developing the skills and innovative procedures to process this renewable fuel for the state,” Long added. “Our employees do a great job everyday of producing the highest quality fuel possible.” |
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Pacific Biodiesel Employees Tour Hamakua Energy Facility
Recently, employees of Pacific Biodiesel’s Hawaii Island refinery were invited by Pacific Current to tour its Hamakua Energy power generation facility, a liquid-fuel-fired combined cycle power generation facility. According to a Pacific Current press release, Hamakua Energy is able to provide 22 percent of Hawaii Island’s generating capacity.
Pacific Biodiesel entered into a biodiesel supply contract with Pacific Current, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Industries, in the fall of 2019. Since then, Pacific Biodiesel has provided biodiesel to help power the facility’s generators.
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Hamakua Energy Plant Manager Ron Franich, center, explains the intricacies of the power generation plant to members of the Pacific Biodiesel team. |
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Leading the tour at Hamakua Energy was Ron Franich, Plant Manager. The group had an opportunity to see the facility’s turbines and other equipment used in power generation and learn first-hand how biodiesel is used to produce energy for the Island. “We don’t usually see these large turbines in operation, said Al Leung, Pacific Biodiesel’s Hawaii Island Plant Manager, “and it was impressive."
“We appreciated the opportunity to understand their unique operation and to strengthen our relationship with the Hamakua Energy team,” Leung added.
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Pacific Biodiesel Featured in Feeding Hawaii:
Portraits of Resilience
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In August, food security advocate Lauryn Rego published her interview with Pacific Biodiesel Founder Bob King and Marketing Director Joy Galatro in her online series Feeding Hawaii: Portraits of Resilience. The two recounted how businesses have adapted to the changes brought on by the pandemic and the importance of supporting local farming for both food and fuel.
The article highlights how Pacific Biodiesel and its sister company, Maiden Hawaii Naturals, needed to pivot in many aspects of business. The closure and slowdown of many of Hawaii’s restaurants was devastating for that industry and disrupted the collection of used cooking oil, the main feedstock for Pacific Biodiesel’s renewable fuel. Also, sales of culinary oils that had previously been purchased primarily in bulk by restaurants shifted to the retail market.
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Bob King and Joy Galatro at the central Maui sunflower farm. Photo credit: Angie Diaz |
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In the interview, King and Galatro both commented on the positive surge of local support that was evident throughout the pandemic. As the harsh reality of Hawaii’s dependence on imports became clear, the community embraced Hawaii’s farmers, products and locally produced biodiesel.
King noted, “For our overall company, the blessing to us this last year has been the support of Hawaiian Electric Industries. They didn't have to choose us. They didn't have to continue expanding their production with us, but they did. They wanted to keep us going. They were concerned about our company and our employees and making sure that we're there in the future. That was very impressive. They really stepped up for us.”
Rego’s website FeedingHawaii.org addresses the crisis in Hawaii’s food system in the face of the pandemic. Read the interview and others in the series here.
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Bob King Named to Red Cross Board |
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Bob King, Founder of Pacific Biodiesel and Maiden Hawaii Naturals, LLC (farmers of the Maui Sunflowers), has been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Hawaii. A long time Maui resident, King has supported the community in many ways. King served 6 years on the Hawaii State Environmental Council, two of those as Chair.
His vision of a sustainable Hawaii is consistent with the work of the Red Cross as they provide education, support and local disaster relief in times of need.
Learn more about the American Red Cross of Hawaii here.
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Bob King joins the Board of the American Red Cross of Hawaii. |
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RDS Transport Fuels with B100; Partners with Pacific Biodiesel |
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Last month Pacific Biodiesel began working with RDS Transport Services, LLC on Hawaii Island. The trucking firm is transporting tankers of 100% biodiesel (B100) to Pacific Current’s Hamakua Energy power generation station located in Honokaʻa.
RDS Transport is also fueling its vehicles with the locally made B100. According to Pacific Biodiesel’s Supply Chain Coordinator Kealiʻi Kahaʻapea, “It’s gratifying to work with a company that not only delivers our biodiesel but uses our renewable fuel to make those deliveries. We like to work with companies who understand the quality of the biodiesel we produce and appreciate the reduction in harmful emissions they achieve when using it.”
“We’re very pleased with the partnership,” said Scott Peterson, owner of RDS Transport. “The myths I’d heard over the years about the problems with biodiesel have turned out not to be true. We initially began with one dedicated vehicle, but we’re now fueling a second vehicle with Pacific Biodiesel’s B100.”
Pacific Biodiesel’s Hawaii Island refinery utilizes state of the art distillation technology to produce some of the nation’s highest quality biodiesel available.
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Oahu Processing Facility Adds Infrastructure
Despite the challenges encountered during the pandemic Pacific Biodiesel continues to invest in its processing plants and improve the capacity to recycle more waste oils.
The Sand Island processing facility received delivery of the first of two new storage tanks. The 25,000-gallon tanks will enable the Oahu team to increase capacity, improve efficiency in the processing of grease trap waste and increase the extraction of usable oils for biodiesel production. A second tank will be installed later this month.
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The first of two new storage tanks is installed at Pacific Biodiesel's Sand Island processing facility. |
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“This new equipment will allow our team to work more effectively,” noted Oahu Plant Manager Brian Leighton. “The additional capacity will also improve efficiency by decreasing interisland shipping time and expense.”
Additionally, at the company’s Hawaii Island facility, a new fan press is currently undergoing installation which will improve the processing of degraded feedstock.
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Spreading the Word About Recycling
Pacific Biodiesel President Bob King and Director of Marketing Joy Galatro were invited to speak to the Kihei Community Association’s general membership meeting. With “Recycling” as the topic for the July “virtual” meeting, the group learned about the environmental and health hazards of not recycling used cooking oil as well as the many benefits of using biodiesel, the renewable replacement for petroleum diesel, which is produced from this waste oil. Watch the presentation here.
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The recycling of used cooking oil – the primary feedstock for Pacific Biodiesel’s locally produced fuel –provides a multitude of economic and environmental benefits for Hawaii. Last month, Pacific Biodiesel rolled out new branded graphics for its company vehicles as a way to keep this message front and center. |
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New graphics help tell Pacific Biodiesel's "cycle of sustainabiltiy" story - recycling UCO to renewable fuel. |
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Hawaii’s Governor Ige signs sustainability bills into law |
“Our vision includes a diversified economy that is rebuilt sustainably, not a simple return to business as usual," said Governor Ige. "We see increased self-sufficiency, green job opportunities, investment in our communities, in education and people, and investment in local infrastructure,” said Gov. Ige. Read the article by Biobased Diesel Daily.
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House Ag Committee advances $1B for biofuel infrastructure |
The House Agriculture Committee on Sept. 13 advanced its portion of the Build Back Better Act, which currently includes $1 billion in USDA funding to expand biofuel infrastructure to increase availability of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel.. Find the full article here.
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Jeff Mikulina steps down as Executive Director at Blue Planet |
Pacific Biodiesel sends out a huge mahalo to Jeff Mikulina for his commitment to Hawaii's clean energy future and extends best wishes for his future endeavors.
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Biodiesel tax credit extension through 2031 in Build Back Better bill |
A proposed extension through 2031 of the biodiesel and renewable diesel blenders tax credit was included in the House Ways and Means portion of the Build Back Better Act. The measure also received bipartisan support from House and Senate cosponsors of the legislation. Read the article here.
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Researchers find biodiesel saves lives, results in cost savings |
" A new study from Trinity Consultants demonstrates that switching to biodiesel results in a multitude of benefits at the neighborhood level, including significant health benefits such as decreased cancer risk, fewer premature deaths and reduced asthma attacks.” Read the article i n Biodiesel Magazine.
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Transatlantic tanker successfully completes marine biofuel trial |
Making its way from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to Houston, Texas, the tanker was fueled with biofuel derived from used cooking oil, tallow and waste animal fats. No modifications to the engines or fueling infrastructure were required. The equipment performed as expected and the use of the second-generation biofuel resulted in an 85 to 90 percent reduction in well-to-exhaust CO2 emissions when compared to traditional fuels. Read the article here.
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Report: US Army should incorporate diesel, biodiesel as primary battlefield energies
"During peacetime, biodiesel would be the preferred fuel to address environmental concerns associated with the continued use of fossil fuels. Ongoing development of technologies would allow ground vehicles and generators to operate seamlessly between diesel, biodiesel, and JP8," according to a study undertaken by the Committee on Powering the U.S. Army of the Future sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. Find the full study and article here.
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USDA: Biobased products industry responsible for 4.6M US jobs |
The report demonstrates that the biobased industry is a substantial generator of economic activity and jobs, and that it has a significant positive impact on the environment. Additionally, biobased products displace approximately 9.4 million barrels of oil annually, and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 12.7 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents per year. Read the article here.
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Union Pacific to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Biodiesel Blends |
Union Pacific locomotives will be getting a boost of biodiesel fuel. Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, approved the use of up to 20% biodiesel blend in specific EMD locomotive series operated by the railroad. Previously, the locomotives were approved to operate at 5%. Find the article here.
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Bulk of California’s GHG reductions come from biobased diesel |
“ When it comes to tackling the climate challenge, these new findings underscore the large and significant role that low carbon biobased diesel fuels are playing in California today and should also inform current and future climate and transportation policy considerations at the national and regional levels outside of California. Read the full article 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 liquid biofuel producer in the state. A Maui-based company with nearly 100 employees statewide, we established the first retail biodiesel pump in America and for more than 25 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 distillation technology to produce the highest-quality biodiesel in the country and in 2016 became the first facility in the world to be certified by the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance. 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 full-circle sustainability system designed to fight climate change and help 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 96753
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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