3- 07-2012 Piedmont Biofuels is named on  the first ‘Best for the World’ companies list.

B Lab released the first ‘Best for the World’ lists recognizing companies creating the most positive overall social and environmental impact. The ‘Best for the World’ companies score 50% higher than nearly 2,000 other sustainable businesses, and in the top 10% among more than 500 Certified B Corporations, in the most comprehensive and independent assessment of overall corporate impact.  B Lab also released separate lists of the ‘Best for the Environment’, ‘Best for the Community’, and ‘Best for Workers’.

“These companies are leading a global movement to redefine success in business,” said Jay Coen Gilbert, co founder of B Lab, the nonprofit organization that certifies B Corporations and governs the independent third party standard used to generate the comparable assessment of corporate impact.  “These companies are the best in the world at being the best for the world,” Coen Gilbert added.

The ‘Best for the World’ lists are featured in the just released 2012 B Corp Annual Report.  Businesses recognized for their extraordinary performance include:

- For Overall Impact: Better World Books, Global Green Energy Corp, Green Building Services, Larry’s Beans, Method Home Products, Moving Forward Education, Namaste Solar, New Resource Bank, Next Street, Partnership Capital Growth, Piedmont Biofuels, PREM Group, Re:Vision Architecture, RecycleBank, South Mountain Company, Southern Energy Management, SQA Pharmacy Services, The Redwoods Group, and Virginia Community Capital.

- For the Environment: Brightworks, Bullfrog Power, Ecovations, gDiapers, Global Green Energy Corp., GoLite, Green Building Services, Guayaki Sustainable Rainforest Products, IceStone, Larry’s Beans, Method Products, Namaste Solar, New Leaf Paper, Patagonia, Piedmont Biofuels, Preserve, Re:Vision Architecture, Salt Spring Coffee, Southern Energy Management, and Sustainable Solutions Unlimited.

- For the Community: Agora Management Corporation, Cap Global, Care2.com, Change.org, Ecovations, FMYI, Hershey Cause, Ideal Network, Mal Warwick Associates, Moving Forward Education, New Resource Bank, Next Street, PeaceWorks Technology Solutions, Prem Group, SQA Pharmacy Services, thedatabank, The Redwoods Group, and Virginia Community Capital.

- For Workers: Change.org, Exponent Partners, First Affirmative Financial Network, First Rate, Inc., Heller Consulting, King Arthur Flour Company, Namaste Solar, Partnership Capital Growth, PeaceWorks Technology Solutions, Rally Software, Re:Vision Architecture, Relevance, South Mountain Company, Sungevity, The Caprock Group, and thedatabank, inc.

Six companies were recognized as ‘Best for the World’ in multiple impact areas: Namaste Solar (Environment and Workers); Re:Vision Architecture (Environment and Workers); Change.org (Community and Workers); PeaceWorks Technology Solutions (Community and Workers); thedatabank (Community and Workers); and Ecovations (Environment and Community).

B Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.  B Lab drives systemic change through three interrelated initiatives: 1) building a community of Certified B Corporations to make it easier for all of us to tell the difference between “good companies” and just good marketing; 2) accelerating the growth of the impact investing asset class through use of B Lab’s GIIRS impact rating system by institutional investors; and 3) promoting legislation creating a new corporate form that meets higher standards of purpose, accountability and transparency.  To earn certification, B Corporations must achieve a minimum score on the B Impact Assessment, which measures a company’s impact on its workforce, suppliers, consumers, community, and the environment, and are legally required to consider the interests of these stakeholders, not just shareholders, when making decisions. Learn more at bcorporation.net, benefitcorp.net, and giirs.org.

I. Membership Survey

Brian wishes to send out the member survey on price changes and other issues. He wants to access the constant contact database, so he can send the cover email to the membership, with him as the reply-to contact. We could set up a “board@biofuels.coop” account that could be used for these types of communications going forward. Even though petro diesel is almost up to $4.20 itself now, it still seems an opportune opening to gain some member insights.

Lyle agrees and believes it will be a simple and easy change. Joe agrees it is still timely and good to get member input. Carol likes the idea, and is also concerned about Board members sending out lots of messages to membership. She suggests that the President has access to membership and only uses it when the entire Board approves. Lyle and Joe concur. The option of setting up a board@biofuels.coop account sounds good for this purpose and for future needs as well. Carol suggests coopboard@biofuels.coop

***Based on later discussion of Grant for new pump stations (see below), Board recommends adding two more questions to the Survey to Members:

#1 Who do you know that owns a business located with good traffic access on or near a main road, owns their property and has room for a biodiesel pump, and would be a good fit for the pump and Piedmont Biofuels?

#2 Where are the best locations for new pumps? Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Raleigh, Cary, elsewhere?

II. Blazing the Trail—Wilmington Update

Permits pulled, builder hired, and site work has begun, but there is a snag with the fire marshal on secondary containment. Lyle is working on whether PBI’s double-walled tank standard will satisfy, or he may have to adjust the plan. There is also a money issue in Wilmington—co-op members who committed to finance half the cost are wavering because of delays, leaving the project $14,000 short. The project is going forward anyway; Lyle is ordering equipment, and paying for permits, though financing is tight and PBI is tight on cash. Selling memberships in Wilmington will not cover the remaining costs and shortfall. Lyle is looking for creative options: may extend credit line until opening, then may float pre-pay or bond. Overall economics of Trail remain sound. With expected one refueling trip per month to Wilmington, we should be out of debt on this project in 2 years time.

Pre-pays of advance fuel buys would definitely help to generate cash to cover build costs. Need Wilmington to be pumping fuel by May.

III. Blazing the Trail—Grant Money for two more pumps

Lyle filed another grant for $68,000 to build 2 new pumping stations plus upgrade to e-fueling at Pittsboro and Moncure pumps, where we have some leakage from people not reporting and paying what that they are taking. Breakdown of grant: 6k for Moncure e-fueling, 6k for Pittsboro e-fueling, 28k for Chapel Hill station, 28k for Greensboro station. Grant dictates that new stations should be up by June.

Discussion about best locations for new pump:

· Even though there is grease collection there, some Staff believe that Greensboro is not a good idea.

· Raleigh/Cary/Apex seems like a better location to some of the Staff. (Carol strongly agrees.) Whole Foods Cary is one possibility.

· Chapel Hill–University Mall has expressed interest for a station near the recycle center.

· Weaver Street in Hillsborough is another option with support.

· Some advocating for Durham

· Somewhere along 751 is an option, though may pull business from Pittsboro

· Chapel Hill Elliott Road Whole Foods

Factors for new pump locations:

i. Looking for rent-free location.

ii. Looking for space with easy access.

iii. Lyle wants to use the same vendors in Wilmington to build the new stations.

iv. Tacit understanding with Carolina Biofuels that PBI won’t encroach in Durham. CB is focusing more on wholesale, so PBI could commit to just focusing on retail.

v. Lyle will be reviewing sites immediately.

NOTE: This is a matching Grant. Challenge is coming up with matching funding.

POSITIVE NOTE: Money is coming from Dept. of Energy through Triangle Clean Cities. Good news is that they still want to give us money for these projects.

IV. Financial Update

PBI got used to making money in 2011. Important to note that financing of projects is tight and PBI is tight on cash. Thus far have lost money in 2012 Jan, and Feb looks the same. Hoping to make money again in March.

V. Brian on iPhone apps:

He will finally be going to meet with John Hollingsworth next week to finalize the details on release 1 of the app – standby!

Lyle reported on the numbers from 2011.
415 members. 52,00,000 gallons pushed to the trail.
Took idea from last meeting and added restaurants as members.
It is estimated that the average member burns 40 gal a mo, so we are most likely powering 100 vehicles.
Suggestion: Do a membership survey and find out who’s driving what, how many miles a month, and how many vehicles and families are actually running on biodiesel.
Piedmont Update: Piedmont has hired Katie to work in the control room and work on membership and oil collection. Carol offered to help her develop the customer survey.

Wilmington:
Builder #1 quit and has been replaced. As soon as a quote arrives from the new builder Clean Cities will give us half of the build price and Wilmington members are ready to provide the other half as a low interest loan.
The goal is to get the Wilmington site up and running by April, and to hold our annual meeting there.
The location is excellent. It is on the property owned by Tidal Creek, the local coop grocery store.
The contractor from Goldsboro builds gas stations, and could build future stations if this one works out.

App:
Brian has been working with John Hollingsworth and they have the process worked out to take all the data from McCayne to create a Piedmont app.
Brian’s company will donate a free account ($39 a mo) to Piedmont to design and host this app.
Pumps will have one color, restaurants another, and users can ask for either one.
Members can instantly find out where they are and what partner/member restaurants are around them.
We hope to add “hot prospects” – restaurants that are potentially on our trail.
The app. will allow members to choose to eat at our restaurants, or they may choose to reach non-member to approach them about joining the network and flag them for follow by Piedmont.
This food to fuel network is real, and can be replicated in other markets.

Next meeting:
Annual Meeting will be a combined Ribbon Cutting in Wilmington. We will set the date at our March meeting.
We have 2 UNC W alumna on our board….work it!
Future plans:
Went from 40-52k to the trail in 2011
Forecast:

3% tax hike –

StickerMule.com – come up with a sticker that represents the WCO, and the driver that we can stick under every windshield asking if they are a member.

——————————————————————————————

Piedmont Biofuels announced today that the company has commenced the first commercial scale zero-waste production of biodiesel in the United States using its proprietary approach of enzyme catalysis. Biodiesel is a diesel fuel alternative made from fats and oils, which can be used in diesel engines without modification.

Piedmont has successfully scaled-up an enzyme-based technique to biodiesel production. The traditional biodiesel production method uses chemical catalysts like potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. These chemicals form soaps or salts which contaminate both the biodiesel and glycerin phases, producing low-grade co-products.  “With the enzyme process, we eliminate the caustic chemicals which allows biodiesel producers to decrease waste and increase yield, with all types of feedstocks,” says Lyle Estill, President of Piedmont Biofuels.

Piedmont Biofuels has been investigating enzyme catalysis for the biodiesel industry for over four years in efforts to find a successful zero-waste output. In 2009, Piedmont began collaborating with global enzyme producer, Novozymes. Their most recent research and development efforts have been supported by an U.S. Department of Energy, Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) grant in addition to the technology commercialization support. from the Clean Energy Alliance (“CEA”) under the Department of Energy Small Business and Clean Energy Alliance Partnership.

This is the first commercial production of its kind in the United States using enzyme catalysts for biodiesel. “ We are very excited to share our success this year at the National Biodiesel Conference,” states Rachel Burton, Research Director of Piedmont Biofuels, who will be delivering details about the production process at the conference in Orlando, Florida from February 5- 8th. “This milestone brings Piedmont Biofuels one step closer to a zero-waste, sustainable biodiesel process.”

About Piedmont Biofuels

Piedmont Biofuels operates North Carolina’s premier commercial biodiesel production plant since 2006. They are leaders in sustainable biodiesel production, research, and technology development, headquartered in North Carolina. Piedmont is committed to its mission to lead the sustainability effort through the development and production of clean, renewable fuels.

Contact: Rachel Burton, Rachel@biofuels.coop
220 Lorax Lane #1
Pittsboro, NC (919)321-8260
919-444-3495
www.biofuels.coop

by the National Biodiesel Board at a ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri.

Steve Howell of Mark IV Consulting and Technical Director of the National Biodiesel Board and Rachel Burton in Kansas City

The annual award is focused on the technical advancement of biodiesel and has traditionally gone to scientists at federal laboratories or universities.  Burton’s work in enzymatic catalysis stands to open the biodiesel industry up to a large variety of new feedstocks that have not previously been considered useable for fuel production. Burton has also advanced the National Biodiesel Board’s diesel technicians training program with its recent ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) accreditation.

Burton has been producing biodiesel since 2002.  At Piedmont Biofuels she took the lead on fuel quality and analytics, and guided Piedmont into its BQ9000 quality accreditation.  She also founded the research endeavors at Piedmont, which lead to the development of the enzymatic catalysis process.

Burton has delivered technical papers and lectures on sustainable biodiesel production, on enzyme catalysis in biodiesel, and on other scientific breakthroughs in the fats and oils industry.  Her presentations have been well received in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Burton will be presenting at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s 24^th Industry Growth Forum on Wednesday, November 9th in Denver, Colorado to commercialize Piedmont’s enzyme biofuel process.

Piedmont Biofuels has emerged as America’s premiere community scale biodiesel producer.  It produces fuel from locally collected cooking oil, it designs and builds small-scale biodiesel plants, and it performs research on methods of improving the production process and enhancing sustainability.

For more information about Piedmont Biofuels, please see www.biofuels.coop or call 919-321-8260 or Burton at 919-444-3495.

For immediate release

NEXT BOARD MEETING: Monday, December 5

1) Coop Membership update
Current member count: flat membership since summer; 304 as of October 3.  Numbers have been building since January 2011 (around 200 members).

Current sales update: overall average of 4500 gallons per month; was much smaller in Jan-Feb, around 2000 gallons; this September we sold 7800 gallons.

Outstanding issues, concerns, opportunities:

2) Piedmont Biofuels update

Partners in Sustainability Grease update
·      Grease collections up at Piedmont
·      Pepper Festival great for Piedmont, good networking with restaurants for more potential grease collection

Fuel Trail update
·      New Wilmington location: Tidal Creek Co-op memo of understanding complete; working on new site plan and another planning review process; Stephan will visit this week and help determine the tank/pump layout
·      Saxapahaw pump system is finally working.  The Cardswipe system is integrated with pump at this location, and it is finally working properly after some technical adventures.  Thinking of having a member appreciation party in Saxapahaw.
·      What’s up in Durham?  DOE money is flowing through Carolina Biofuels– upgrading private customer sites but no public sites yet being built yet.  Occasionally Carolina buys from Piedmont.
·      Chapel Hill/Carrboro—more accessible pump possibilities?  Merritt’s Store has expressed interest in adding a pump.  Also another possibility is at recycling center at University Mall.
·      B100 Trail is open to anyone who is pumping B99—not dependent on membership in Piedmont or being a co-op.

3) Projects/Events review
Grease-o-Graphics update: Phone App in progress with Google map for tracking participating grease partner Restaurants, prospective restaurants

Events Calendar
I.      Shakori presence this weekend with biodiesel demonstration
II.    November 4: Ribbon cutting for solar project at the plant—100k solar array at fields by plant.  4:00pm.  Party with live band.  Brian will speak on behalf of Board.

Project ideas
¨     To help educate people that any diesel can run on biodiesel: Parade with biodiesel burning car; Classic biodiesel car show

¨     Member recruitment: Signs for recruiting members at pumps like at Saxapahaw; More effective signage for events like Farm Tours.  Don’t lead with “save money” message—emphasize sustainability, local fuel, co-op.

¨     How to reach more diesel owners?
Meetup type event: pictures of cars using biodiesel, use to recruit and show people that these cars are running on biodiesel.  People like connecting with other people with the same car to hear their experiences.  Ask members to send in photos of themselves and their vehicle–Post on Facebook page.

¨     Facebook Page: We checked out the Piedmont Biofuels Facebook page during our meeting: looks like three pages for Piedmont; main page has a pulse and some pics and posts, but not very vibrant; who can we find to drive this thing and make it more lively?  Can we get members who can be Facebook ambassadors and post to the page regularly?

¨     Give free membership to grease partner restaurants and any employees.  First year free if you work at grease partner restaurants. (We asked waitress at Carolina Brewery Pittsboro who drives a diesel, and she said no one.)

¨     Any ways to encourage businesses to buy biodiesel in bulk?  Could place tanks at farms or businesses, where owner helps cover the expenses.  Has to be zoned commercial, industrial, or farm.

¨     Triangle Transit Connections? Used to sell B20 to Triangle Transit.  We’re the only plant in NC that can sell on state contract because of our BQ 9000 quality.

¨     Anything going on with biodiesel co-op in Miami?  Shakori is going down there to start a festival.

Wrap-Up
What else does PBI need from us?
Lyle says he got some good big ideas tonight; Stephan’s help in Wilmington is great; Brian speaking on November 4th.
NEXT MEETING: Monday, December 5

The main focus of discussion centered on our relationship with Carolina Biodiesel in Durham.  They have been dispensing fuel to their part of the B100 Community for many years, and Piedmont is exploring ways of working more closely with them and their customers.

Marc Dreyfors, Carolina Biodiesel owner, and Lyle Estill have been discussing possible arrangements in earnest for the past few months.

Also up for discussion was the Wilmington dispenser location.  A Memo of Understanding has been signed with Tidal Creek Coop to build a dispensing station next to their Coop grocery store on Oleander.

Currently planning approval is being sought.

The board also discussed the fuel outages which occurred across Piedmont’s location of the B100 Community Trail during June.  While low marks were given to running any tank dry-ever-high marks were given to the communication with members such that unnecessary inconvenience was reduced.

Also discussed was the “Free Lunch Program,” in which each member has by now received a gift certificate that will enable them to dine at one of Piedmont’s Partners in Sustainability.

It was noted that oil collections continue to rise, in part thanks to increased member/board involvement, and it was also noted that fuel sales to the membership has dramatically increased.

A meeting date for the next meeting was not set, but the food and beer flowed freely and gratitude for Carolina Brewery was expressed.  They have been a long time “Partner in Sustainability,” and have contributed used cooking oil from both their Chapel Hill and Pittsboro locations

In attendance: Carol Hewitt, Brian Gullette, Lyle Estill, Beth Turner, Joe Cole
Absent: Stephan Caldwell (wife is in labor), William Bettmann

DECISIONS
1. Officers elected =

President: Brian Gullette
Vice-President: Beth Turner
Treasurer: Carol Hewitt
Secretary: Joe Cole

2. The Co-op will return the 10% share of Piedmont Biofarm to Doug Jones.

3. The Board asks Will Bettmann to step down for non-attendance.

UPCOMING
Local Lunch Friday at Noon at Piedmont Industrial.  Opportunity for Board members to meet with staff.

NEXT MEETING
Monday, July 25, 6 PM, Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro

DISCUSSION: Wilmington Update
Lyle has been working to set up a pump in Wilmington.  Lyle is working with momentum from former Cape Fear Coop members and encouragement from new Coop Board.  Funding is coming from 50/50 cost share with Clean Cities, DOE grant, and loan to cover the $25k facility.  The facility includes pump plus insulated shed with 1200-gallon tank.  Location is on Oleander Road at Progressive Gardens.  Lyle received zoning approval, the builder has prefab materials ready, and the owner of the lot has approved.

There are a few business issues pertaining to use of the property remaining to be worked out with Progressive Gardens, and Lyle may recommend a conference call to include Brian, our Coop President, if further conversation about the benefits of working together is warranted.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Membership and Grease Collection
1.     Approximately 306 members, though probably a higher number of drivers using the memberships.
2.     Are we collecting grease in Wilmington?  No, too much cost of transportation.  Right now PBI is focusing on expanding collection in Greensboro and Sanford.
3.     Membership renewals are less than 100%, so we need recruitment to maintain membership levels, and hopefully increase as well.
4.     Gift Certificates: used by PBI as Rewards and Apologies.  Goal is for every member to get one this year.
5.     How about a $5 referral reward for members who recruit new members?  Lyle will talk with McCayne about managing the accounting for that kind of system.
6.     Rewarding individual members for recruiting more restaurants is hard to manage.  Contest is working on that, and has increased interest.
7.     Can we organize membership to ask specific restaurants to participate in Piedmont’s grease collection?  Increasing the number of voices could have a bigger impact on the restaurant’s decision.
8.     Should Board set a goal for a membership drive this summer?  Some liked the idea of numerical goals, while others preferred an open commitment to increasing membership numbers.
9.     Grease Police mobilization on legislation was successful in activating membership.  Looks like the pressure will be effective in the Legislature to avoid a bad bill.
10. Marketing?  PBI doesn’t buy ads because of expense, though were in the Indy’s Green Guide last month.  PBI does attend festivals like Shakori Hills, Ribfest (upcoming in Winston-Salem), and Festival for the Eno in Durham this summer.

ROLE OF BOARD
Our discussion of the role of the board generated the following thoughts and ideas on our role:
·      Serve coop membership
·      Blaze trail for B100
·      Increase convenience
·      Increase profitability
·      Recruit members
·      Foster partnership with Industrial
·      Balance communitarian interests with commercial interests
·      Gain members
·      Retain members (improve customer service)
·      Upgrade technology to manage a dynamic community of advocates

IDEAS
We brainstormed throughout the meeting, and generated many ideas for improving service, communication, and information.
a.     Web Suggestion box for membership
b.     Put courtesy cards in PDF file for members to download and print
c.      Add Myth Busting and Biodiesel Facts to back of courtesy cards
d.     Show membership who is giving grease to PBI—online map, cell phone apps
e.     Competition/Contests/Incentives for current members to recruit new members
f.      Myth busting on conversion, warranty, mechanics
g.     Spread info on BQ 9000 Certification to pitch our great Coop and its high quality supplier
h.     NC Farm Bureau—do we have a relationship already?  Yes, Lyle is networked with NCFB.  Could be helpful to submit an article on the Coop and Biodiesel for the NCFB monthly magazine (Joe will investigate.)
i.       Know Your Membership: Community Pages on website for members to tell us who they are
j.       Connect to other online communities like TDI club (Brian is active)
k.     Video online of Lyle, Where is the Grease in your neighborhood?  Also could create a Myth Busting video and a How To Be a Coop Member video
l.       Apps for Piedmont Biofuels: maps to show B100 trail, show restaurants who give grease; Brian knows folks at Appubator that work on this technology
m.   More social meet ups for members
n.     More advance notice of Grease Appreciation nights

(Note: We did not discuss plans for implementation or make commitments on these ideas, so perhaps we can do that at upcoming meetings.  And Board members can volunteer to take any of these projects on in between meetings.)

Join us if you can.

The Sustainable Biodiesel Summit is that day.  Our members get in free. The organizers do ask that people register anyway–even if they are free–so that they know how much to buy for lunch.

Here is the Agenda thus far:

2009-2010 Years in Review:  In May 2009, Coop and Industrial “Became One.” In many ways this was like a “receivership” process.  At that time the Coop had run afoul of its creditors, its landlord, its neighbors, the local fire marshal, and the EPA.  The Board of Directors elected to “land it in the Hudson” by transferring all assets and liabilities to Piedmont Biofuels Industrial.

Instead of letting the Coop Corporation expire, it was kept alive.  It had no staff, no assets, and no Board, but it largely continued to serve its mission of leading the grassroots sustainability movement in North Carolina.  Education and outreach continued, the internship program was kept alive, and high quality fuel continued to flow to its members.  The receiver also largely adhered to the Cooperative Principles during this period.

After about a year and a half of cleanup, remediation, negotiation, asset disposal, creditor pay off, and stakeholder engagement, the Coop had satisfied all of its obligations.  In November of 2010 a new Interim Board of Directors was formed. The membership was polled, and all those who desired to serve were appointed. You can read more about that here.

This Board held two meetings to discuss new bylaws to reflect the Coop’s new reality, fuel pricing, expansion of the B100 Community Trail, a Memo of Understanding with Piedmont Biofuels Industrial for services rendered, and other topics that were germane to members.  The minutes of the first meeting were published here.  The minutes of the second were published here.

Pricing Policy:  In February 2011 we implemented a .25/gallon price increase on the B100 Community Trail.  Based largely on the work of long time member John Hollingsworth, it was agreed that Trail pricing would increase in .25/gallon increments in order to stay safely above the price of petroleum diesel.  We now monitor an Energy Information Administration index for on road diesel pricing and will adjust our pricing accordingly. For a look at some philosophy on pricing, including comments by a number of Coop members click here.

Board Elections: Our bylaws call for no less than three and no more than seven board members, one of which is appointed by Piedmont Biofuels Industrial. We currently have 1 appointee and five active board members.  These Interim Board members are welcome to stand for election, as is any other member in good standing.

It’s not dull as dirt.  Honest.  Come and join us if you can….