DOE's Bioenergy Technologies Office and the Clean Cities program regularly conduct a joint Web conference for state energy office representatives and Clean Cities coordinators. The Web conferences offer states the opportunity to share information about state-level policy initiatives and programs so that participants can contribute and learn from one another. Additionally, the event is used to provide states with useful information on Federal biomass policy, technologies, and deployment activities.

Following are summaries and presentations from previous Web conferences.

Web Conference Summaries:

January 13, 2012

This webinar highlighted recently conducted and ongoing studies of bioenergy workforce needs and gaps. As a follow up to the Biomass 2011 conference session on workforce development, the webinar presenters will provide a more state and local-focused perspective on the current bioenergy workforce and directions for development. Daniel Cassidy, National Program Leader, Forest-Based Bioenergy, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S Department of Agriculture; Jill Stuckey, Director, Georgia Center of Innovation for Energy; and Troy Runge, Associate Professor, Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin, all presented about their respective states and/or programs.

September 13, 2011

Forrest Jehlik (Argonne National Laboratory) discussed the work he has done at Argonne and with the Vehicle Technologies Office on green racing. He included information about environmental and economic impacts, as well as racing results from the American Le Mans series. More information can be found on Argonne's website

May 12, 2011

Kristi Moriarity (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) provided background and demonstrated the uses of the Department of Energy's BioFuels Atlas. Aaron Crowell (BCS, Incorporated, contractor to the Bioenergy Technologies Office) provided background and demonstrated the uses of the Department of Energy's Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework (KDF). Both presenters provided an overview of the tools and explained several features associated with them. Burl Haigwood (Clean Fuels Foundation) presented on the national flex fuel vehicle awareness campaign. He explained how the campaign works and the benefits of the campaign.

August 5, 2010

Kristi Moriarity (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) discussed the Underwriters Laboratory's (UL's) approval of the E-85 Pump and its implications. She provided background on the E-85 and UL, and she compared the E-85 dispenser with the E-10 dispenser. Tom Foust (National Advanced Biofuels Consortium) gave an overview of the National Advanced Biofuels Consortium (NABC). He discussed the prior focus of NABC as well as the future focus, and he discussed objectives, funding, research, and the organizational structure. Ralph Groschen and Christina Connelly (Minnesota Department of Agriculture) provided a Minnesota biofuels success story. They discussed the timeline of state actions, the number of biodiesel plants in the state, production and consumption rates, and the NextGen Energy Initiative.

May 6, 2010

Robert Larson (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) discussed how the RFS2 differs from the RFS. He gave an overview of EISA required changes to the RFS program and the impact the program will have economically and on the environment. Manning Feraci (National Biodiesel Board) gave a Federal Affairs/Industry update on Biodiesel, including the Biodiesel tax incentive and the RFS2 Program. Mark Vann (General Motors Company) provided an automaker's perspective on renewable fuel technologies, which included GM's commitment to using Biofuels, as well as its technology strategies and promises it makes for the future.

January 21, 2010

Melissa Klembara (Integrated Biorefinery Technology Manager, U.S. DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office) discussed recent selections for Integrated Biorefinery Projects. She included a discussion of the ARRA funds allotted, background on the project, and discussed Biorefinery operations.

September 10, 2009

Dana Arnold (Chief of Staff, Office of the Federal Environmental Executive) discussed the statutory and executive order requirements for Bioproducts and Biofuels. Kristi Moriarity (Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems, National Renewable Energy Laboratory) described new tools from the Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center.

May 14, 2009

Beth Strobridge (Natural Resources Committee, National Governors Association) provided the state perspective on new directions for the Obama administration.

February 12, 2009

Brian Goodall (Sapphire Energy) spoke on Continental Airlines' January 7th Biofuels Test. The flight was fueled, in part, by Sapphire's algae-based jet fuel. Andy Aden (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) discussed the current state of technology for cellulosic ethanol - How close are we? Larry Russo (U.S. Department of Energy, Bioenergy Technologies Office) described the progress of DOE's Biorefinery Projects.

November 6, 2008

Al Darzins (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) provided an update on the status of technologies to produce biofuels from Algae. Linda Bluestein (U.S. Department of Energy, Clean Cities Program) described EISA 2007, Section 244 Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grants. Paul Argyropoulos (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Transportation and Air Quality) explained the EISA 2007, Renewable Fuel Standards.

August 7, 2008

Stacey Simms (Colorado Governor's Energy Office) provided an update on Biofuels in Colorado. Wilbur Frye (Office of Consumer & Environmental Protection, Kentucky Department of Agriculture) described Biofuel Quality Testing in Kentucky. Roya Stanley (Iowa Office of Energy Independence) and Todd Sneller (Nebraska Ethanol Board) discussed the food versus fuel issue.

May 1, 2008

Julie Howe (Indiana Office of Energy & Defense Development) described the I-65 Corridor Project.

February 13, 2008

Jim Spaeth (DOE's Golden Field Office) discussed Federal energy policy, including the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and key provisions of the pending Farm Bill.