|
Former President Clinton Endorses Biodiesel |
|
|
|
|
Written by Raymond Kennedy
|
|
Saturday, 24 September 2005 |
September 23, 2005 — By National Biodiesel Board
Jefferson Cit, MO — Former President Bill Clinton has publicly endorsed
the use of biodiesel in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort and in
other applications. Speaking recently at the Clinton Global Initiative
(CGI), a global conference to develop policies and implement solutions
to the world’s most challenging problems, Clinton thanked Biodiesel
America, a non-profit leading the effort to get biodiesel donations
into hurricane-stricken areas.
President Clinton honored one of the organization’s leaders, Richard
Blackledge, for his efforts to educate the public about the fuel and
for the emergency fuel shipments he has been coordinating along with
Josh Tickell, founder of the Veggie Van Organization, who is in
Louisiana helping with the effort.
“Biodiesel America is committed to mitigating climate change and
increasing America’s energy independence through public school
education on biodiesel and restoration of the coastal areas of
Louisiana with biodiesel-generated support systems,” Clinton said.
“Their initial investment of $50,000 will lead up to a million dollars
in services to assist the immediate recovery of southern Louisiana
oil-producing and fishing towns….this is a very, very important thing…I
hope you become a household name in America.”
Through the establishment of the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, President
George W. Bush has drawn on both Clinton and George H. W. Bush to lead
the effort of appealing to Americans to aid the hurricane relief
effort. Biodiesel America has donated $50,000 to the relief effort and
coordinated the donation of thousands of gallons of biodiesel from West
Central, an Iowa-based biodiesel producer. The alternative fuel is
powering generators, ships and mobile medical units along the Gulf. The
United Soybean Board, which represents soybean farmers nationwide, has
also pledged financial support to help get biodiesel to the Gulf Coast.
“It is an honor to have President Clinton join our current president in
showing such strong support for biodiesel,” said Joe Jobe, executive
director of the National Biodiesel Board, which has also helped
coordinate donations of fuel. “Biodiesel crosses party lines. It
crosses many sections of our society. Most Americans agree it just
makes sense to use biodiesel when they hear of the environmental,
economic and energy security benefits it offers.”
Blackledge said it was the moment of a lifetime. “It was a real honor
to stand shoulder to shoulder with President Clinton,” he said. “I
think it is a sign of how far biodiesel has come. President Bush
recently talked biodiesel with Tony Blair. World leaders are taking
notice and throwing their weight behind biodiesel.”
About Biodiesel
Biodiesel can be made from any fat or vegetable oil, such as soybean
oil. It works in any diesel engine and can be used in its pure form, or
blended with petroleum diesel at any level. Biodiesel is cleaner
burning and has the highest energy balance of any transportation fuel.
Nationwide, more than 500 major fleets now use biodiesel commercially,
and more than 500 retail filling stations also make it available to the
public.
To follow the journey or make a donation, visit www.veggievan.org.
Readers can learn more about biodiesel by visiting www.biodiesel.org.
Contact
Jenna Higgins
Naitonal Biodiesel Board
800-841-5849
Source: Environmental News Network
|
Home 
News 
