The biodiesel industry this week chose new leadership representing various feedstock producers of biodiesel. The National Biodiesel Board also reelected Minnesota farmer Ed Hegland to chair its governing board. Doug Smith of Baker Commodities, and David Lyons of Louis Dreyfus Commodities, are newly elected to the NBB board.

“I feel honored to serve on the governing board representing the rendering industry,” Smith said. “I bring the perspective of using animal fats and recycled greases as feedstocks as the board increasingly focuses on diversification. Baker can also help bridge any gaps between the two industries, and share their policy development resources.” Based in Los Angeles, Baker Commodities is an international company that sells fats and oils into biodiesel production streams, or for other uses.

The NBB is the U.S. coordinating and research association for the industry. Governing board elections were held this week in St. Louis, Mo., during the NBB fall board meeting.

“Louis Dreyfus is committed to the production of biodiesel,” said Lyons of Louis Dreyfus, who represents the company in Washington, D.C. “In ways, it’s a challenging time for the industry and we feel we can help the industry move forward through bringing forth the concerns of a production facility.” Louis Dreyfus is a worldwide merchant of agricultural and energy commodities. Its biodiesel plant in Indiana combines soybean crushing and biodiesel production facilities.

Hegland, of Appleton, Minn., was elected to the governing board originally in 2005, and will begin serving his second term as chairman. He represents the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. “The diverse makeup of the governing board is a show of unity as the biodiesel industry continues to demonstrate that it is a sustainable, viable part of meeting the nation’s energy needs,” Hegland said.

Joining Hegland, the other officers reelected to lead the board are:

* Gary Haer, vice chairman, Renewable Energy Group, Inc., Ames, Iowa

* Jim Conway, secretary, Griffin Industries, Cold Spring, Ky.

* Ed Ulch, treasurer, Iowa Soybean Association, Solon, Iowa.

The other governing board members are as follows:

* Kris Kappenman, ADM

* Darryl Brinkmann, American Soybean Association - immediate past chair

* Jeff Trucksess, Green Earth Fuels

* Bob Metz, South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council

* Denny Mauser, Western Iowa Energy (reelected)

* Greg Anderson, Nebraska Soybean Board (reelected)

* David Womack, Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board (reelected)

* Robert Stobaugh, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board (reelected).

Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning alternative fuel that can be made from any animal fat or plant oil. Biodiesel reduces life cycle CO2 by 78%, and for every one unit of energy it takes to make biodiesel, 3.5 units are gained. It can be used in any diesel engine with few or no modifications, in blends of 20 percent (B20) and lower.