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ERIE RESIDENT AND STUDENT WINS $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP FROM HERO BX
Katherine Tarr, Erie native set to graduate in Education from Gannon University

December 7, 2009 (Erie, PA) - Katherine Tarr, an Erie, Pa. native, has just received an early Christmas present. She is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from HERO BX, the country's largest producer of high-quality biodiesel. The award was given in conjunction with the Erie movie premier of the Sundance Film Festival award winning film, FUEL, as an effort to demonstrate the importance of preparing people, through education, for green jobs.

“I'm really grateful for the scholarship,” said Tarr, who will graduate from Gannon University next spring with a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She noted that the film had a major impact on her, especially as an educator. “It's interesting. I'm in education and didn't realize that you could put biodiesel in your car if you have a diesel engine. This just demonstrates the need for more information, especially targeted at students. I don't think they realize we're running out of fossil fuels and I want to be able to tell my students that biodiesel is an available option.”

Last December, as part of the Energy Bill, the federal government dedicated $125 million dollars per year to funding green job training programs. Of that, $20 million is allocated for renewable energy and energy efficiency research.

“HERO BX is on the forefront of developing new technologies to efficiently and affordably produce biofuels,” said Leonard Kosar, HERO BX CEO. “Having team members trained for these types of green jobs is an essential component of HERO BX's success and to the success of our country's efforts to become energy secure and sustainable. That is why we understand that supporting educational efforts are critical.”

Tarr noted that when she is next in the market for a new car, she will consider purchasing a diesel vehicle and filling the tank with locally produced biodiesel.

“Some day I may be filling my tank with biodiesel but it needs to be available to everyone. I'm glad that companies like HERO BX exist to give consumers alterative options at the pump,” said Tarr.

 

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Lake Erie Biofuels, LLC Announces New Name & Technology Pathway to Advanced Biofuels

"The American people are ready to be part of a mission. On this Earth Day, it is time for us to lay a new foundation for economic growth by beginning a new era of energy exploration in America."
President Obama discussing the need for a green revolution on April 23, 2009.
 
ERIE, PA – Leonard Kosar, CEO of Lake Erie Biofuels LLC, will hold a media conference call Tuesday, September 8, at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss the launch of a new company name which encompasses their key position as a leader in the renewable energy revolution.  Kosar will also discuss the company’s financial stability and profitability despite the overall financial instability of the biodiesel industry. In addition, the Company will announce its new technology pathway from its current production of first generation biodiesel using 15 feedstocks, to second generation bidiesel to third generation biodiesel and synthetic fuels.
 
WHO:                 Leonard Kosar, CEO, Lake Erie Biofuels
 
WHAT:                Media Conference Call to announce new name
 
WHEN:               Tuesday, September 8, at 10:00 a.m. ET/9:00 a.m. CT

WHERE:              Conference Call Number: 1-800-214-0694
 
                          Participant Passcode: 663065
NOTE:                 Please RSVP to jms@4RCommunications.com  



About Lake Erie Biofuels, LLC

Lake Erie Biofuels, LLC (www.lakeeriebiofuels.com) started operations in 2007 and is Pennsylvania’s first large-scale biodiesel production facility. A fully accredited BQ-9000 producer and marketer of biodiesel, Lake Erie Biofuels, LLC is the leading producer of biodiesel in the Northeastern United States.  Its on-site laboratory for ASTM D6751 testing, guarantees its biodiesel surpasses all accepted industry standards for performance and quality.

 

 

 

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HERO BX SPONSORS SUNDANCE AWARD WINNING FILM “FUEL”
Nearly 500 people fill the seats for the Erie premiere

September 16, 2009 (Erie, PA) –Nearly 500 people filled the seats last night at the historic Warner Theater, to watch a little history – the Erie premiere of the Sundance award winning film “FUEL”. The event was made possible by the support of Samuel, P. “Pat” Black, III, the founder of local biodiesel company HERO BX. Black is also an executive producer of the film.

“I'm passionate about this film because it is a dynamic portrayal of what will happen to America, and the world, if we don't move to alternative energy, such as biodiesel,” said Black. “That's why I founded HERO BX. We are committed to helping lead the way to alternative fuels, but without the support of each and every American, we can't move our country to energy independence or environmentally sustainable energy sources.”

 

 

 

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Energy Exec talks to Lake Erie Biofuels’ management team to find out more about its new biodiesel facility.

Written by Ian Armitage

Supplier of alternative fuel additive Methyl Ester (or biodiesel as it is more commonly known), Lake Erie Biofuels, LLC is one of the leading participants in the fast-growing US biodiesel industry. Its state-of-the-art biodiesel plant, which became fully operational in fall 2007, has the ability to annually produce 45 million gallons of biodiesel.

Located on the former Hammermill Paper plant in Erie, Pennsylvania, a town emerging as the center for biofuels and environmental research, the company supplies “the highest-quality biodiesel in the industry,” according to Mark Heckman, part of Lake Erie Biofuels’ experienced three-man management team, which includes Mike Noble and Chris Peterson. Continuing, Heckman says the plant “exists to aid Pennsylvania shed its dependence on foreign oil.”

State-of-the-art production

Lake Erie Biofuels, an Erie Management Group company (a holding company that invests and manages companies with innovative products and prospects for growth), is Pennsylvania’s first large-scale biodiesel production facility. The multi-feedstock, 45-MMGY biodiesel plant, which cost an estimated $54 million, employs around 40 people and could strengthen national energy security and help grow the regional economy.

Mike Noble, the plant’s manager, helped to build the facility, which is co-incidentally the fourth biodiesel plant he has played a significant role in building. Believing it is amongst the most successful he has ever worked on, Noble tells Exec more about the facility’s benefits and how it is different to other plants: “Well first off it is strategically situated on the shores of Lake Erie. That means we are easily accessible to the Northeast’s high-consumption diesel and heating oil markets. We also have in-plant railcar and tanker truck load-out capabilities,” he says, excited by the prospects of the plant that operates continuously, producing more than 136,000 gallons of Biodiesel per day.

So, it has the transport infrastructure in place. But what else makes it appealing? According to Chris Peterson, as the leading producer of biodiesel in Northeasten United States, Lake Erie Biofuels “can be trusted for excellent, competitively priced biodiesel product.”

He continues: “Our Desmet Ballestra designed continuous-flow technology is the front runner in industry processing methods. The technology, capable of both transesterification and acid esterification, means the product produced is of the highest standard.”

Quality biodiesel, adds Chris, begins with quality process-technology design and this is why Lake Erie Biofuels “maintains the best technology and on-site laboratory facilities in the entire industry.” Indeed, its on-site laboratory facilities for ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 testing “guarantees,” he says, “the biodiesel produced will surpass industry standards.”

There are other benefits too; the Desmet Ballestra continuous-flow technology allows superior feedstock flexibility and helps ensure the facility runs at full capacity, while maintaining high standards of quality. “Quality is our number one priority,” adds Heckman, when talking about the facility which has adopted BQ-9000 standards and is working to become a fully accredited BQ-9000 producer.

Benefits of biodiesel

Biodiesel meets rigorous EPA Clean Air Act standards and because it is derived from renewable resources it is considered to be an environmentally-conscious fuel choice. “Biodiesel significantly reduces the harmful emissions associated with global warming,” explains Mr. Peterson, when talking about the fuel which also enhances the lubricity of conventional diesel fuel.

It is also a versatile and reliable fuel, which operates like petroleum diesel, meaning there is no need for engine modifications. Most importantly, its high cetane rating results in efficient ignition.

Increased production?

The US will produce record amounts of biodiesel in the coming years, so naturally everybody at the company is excited by the future in what is an “industry still in its infancy,” according to Heckman. He has a point; nationwide, biodiesel production amounted to just 25 million gallons as recently as 2004 (according to figures from the National Biodiesel Board).

Production climbed to 250 million gallons in 2006, and it is expected to dramatically increase in the next few years.

“It’s an industry that is growing so rapidly,” comments Noble, who believes that because of this a strong focus on quality must be maintained. Mike wants Lake Erie Biofuels to separate itself from “the smaller plants that are trying to get into the industry who are not up to scratch.” He adds: “these are damaging the reputation of the industry by producing poor quality product.” Despite this the management team is sure the market will “filter out eventually”.

Another challenge, plaguing most producers is rising feedstock prices, which have doubled in the last year. This has created what Plant Controller Peterson calls “severe margin compression.”

Peterson continues: “I guess our approach to that is to focus on quality and demand fair compensation for the quality of the product we are producing.” He suggests solid risk management will play a very important role in overcoming this challenge, while the pursuit of long term relationships with reputable suppliers of alternative feedstocks will also be essential.

Education is another problem. Mark believes “there is a large void” between what biodiesel can do and what the general public knows about it. “I think education is critical to the development of the industry,” he adds. “The National Biodiesel Board is taking the lead in promoting the product and educating the public as to what the benefit to biodiesel actually is.”

He adds: “To give you an example, there are federal and state mandates that try to reduce emissions through utilising ultra low sulphur diesel and our petroleum product is by definition a low sulphur product; so it is an alternative to that low sulphur diesel that is currently being pushed. If we can get the message out that we have a renewable alternative to low sulphur diesel we can help lower pollution.”

In the short term, the biodiesel facility is a 45 million gallon capacity producer and “we have to be able to sell that much biodiesel,” continues Mike. “Our first and foremost goal is to be able to sell, profitably, 45 million gallons worth of biodiesel per year. Past that we are looking at some strategic growth initiatives. I don’t know if we can go into those right now. But we are looking at capacity increases as well as vertical integration.”

 

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10/11/2008 - Leading the way in the biodiesel industry, Lake Erie Biofuels, LLC has made history with co-sponsoring the first ever biodiesel trans-continental jet flight “Green Flight International.” “With Lake Erie Biofuels supporting this project, I had full confidence in the aircraft's ability to perform at peak capability”, said Green Flight’s Chief Pilot Carol Sugars.

Lake Erie Biofuels, an Erie Management Group company, and world-class biodiesel production facility located in Northwest Pennsylvania, announced today the completion of the world’s first jet flight powered by biodiesel. “This transcontinental flight was distinctive in that 1,776 miles of the 2,486 total miles flown were powered on 100% biodiesel,” said Douglas Rodante, Green Flight International President and CEO. Only 710 miles of the flight were powered by a mixture of 50% biodiesel and 50% standard jet fuel. The 50/50 fuel mix was used to compare performance data and demonstrate the capability of blending biodiesel with existing jet fuel supplies.

Green Flight International (www.greenflightinternational.com) was founded in 2006 to promote wider adoption of environmentally-friendly fuels in commercial aviation through international television media and print outlets. Michael L. Noble, President of Lake Erie Biofuels states, “Our accomplishment with Green Flight International marks a vital breakthrough for the mass transportation industry and sets the stage for future growth. We congratulate Green Flight International, and are proud of our role in providing the aviation industry with environmentally friendly, clean, petroleum substitutes. This is something we can all take pride in.”

Lake Erie Biofuels, a BQ9000 accredited producer and marketer, was selected by Green Flight International to supply the biodiesel for the record-breaking flight because of its national recognition and superior quality standards. Lake Erie Biofuels incorporates a unique, internally designed filtration system and Desmet Ballestra continuous-flow technology — the vanguard in industry processing methods. A state of-the-art on-site laboratory, promises clean, pure and consistent fuel certifying every drop of biodiesel created.