Mailbag: Jeff Pieterick, VP North Prairie Productions, writes: Re: Best of Times, Worst of Times

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity..."

- Charles Dickens "A Tale of Two Cities"



Dickens' assessment of the times leading to the French Revolution resonate still as the world confronts climate change and our need for renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. Foolishness and incredulity remain a concern, particularly when confronting those who insist that our present rates of energy consumption and carbon emissions are sustainable.



There is a great deal of activity in renewable energy and conservation that is nevertheless encouraging. In only one example, the Bali Summit offered a forum for world governments to effectively come together in tackling the important policy and investment decisions required to minimize our carbon emissions and gain energy independence.



In the spirit of the season, let's look at other positive developments in the renewable energy arena that have gained momentum in 2007 sufficient to advance this effort into the New Year and beyond.



Wisdom and Belief

At long last, consensus is buildingthat global climate change is upon us and that the window of opportunity to avoid irreversible damage to our environment is finite. Effective carbon cap-and-trade is being embraced by industry itself and by our state and local governments. Congress has passed an aggressive Renewable Fuel Standard and new CAFE standards within the 2008 Energy Bill. There is even talk about embracing a comprehensive renewable energy development program on a scale not unlike the Apollo Project that placed a man on the moon.



Here in Wisconsin, we have made great strides in developing renewable energy as a home-grown industry. Under the leadership of Governor Doyle, and with bi-partisan support from our State Legislature, we have moved forward in establishing Wisconsin as a leader in the fight to achieve energy independence. The creation of the state Office of Energy Independence; establishment of effective subsidies for renewable fuels; the founding of the Great Lakes Bio Energy Research Center; the pioneering work of Focus on Energy; the hosting of, and participation in, the Midwest Governors Association Energy Security and Climate Change Summit; the effortto embrace a full portfolio of alternative energy solutions such as biodiesel, wind, geo-thermal, solar, biomass, etc.;- all are examples of the number of ways in which Wisconsin has moved from passive concern to active leadership in addressing the global climate change crisis we face.



The energy challenges we confront are enormous. We retain a fundamental belief, however, that we can overcome these challenges. We also understand that the time to act is now.



"The best of times, the worst of times"

For the domestic biodiesel industry, these are indeed conflicting times. Looking forward, biodiesel has an extremely important role to play in reducing the carbon footprint of our transportation fuels. Diesel engines are themselves being introduced into the marketplace as an Alternative Fuel Vehicle option, made all the more "Green" with the use of renewable biodiesel fuel.



As with any start-up industry, however, the "Growing Pains" confronted by the biodiesel industry are daunting, and how we develop this industry will provide a roadmap for success in introducing the alternative energy sources that will follow. Biodiesel is proven to be an effective product that meets our carbon reduction objectives without requiring massive changes in engine technologies. It's a solution that is available now.



Yet, for the biodiesel industry to establish a firm foundation, it requires public support to get it through its growth stage. Effort must be made to establish a commercial distribution network. Research and development of alternative, sustainable feed stocks (i.e. algae, camelina, jatropha, etc.) needs to be encouraged. Private investment in renewable energy alternatives must be supported.



There is world-wide commitment to develop alternatives to fossil fuel to confront the challenge of climate change. We must also have the wisdom to persevere in our support to gain full mileage from the solutions we create. Five years from now, biodiesel will be an important element of the renewable energy portfolio that will help us overcome our addiction to oil. But it will only be available if we have the foresight now to invest in the policies and supports that will gain the biodiesel industry firm footing in the marketplace.


Happy Holidays to you and your family. We look forward to sharing with you all the good news on the renewable biofuels industry throughout the coming New Year.


Regards,Jeff Pieterick