National Biodiesel Board announces new East Coast policy staff position

The National Biodiesel Board welcomed Steve Dodge Nov. 16 as the organization's new director of state regulatory affairs. Dodge is a longtime energy industry veteran who will focus primarily on advancing state and regional policy efforts for biodiesel, renewable diesel and Bioheat home heating oil on the East Coast.

Dodge

With more than two decades of experience guiding and managing outreach, communication and lobbying efforts for the American Petroleum Institute, most recently as executive director of the Massachusetts/New England Petroleum Council, Dodge is well-positioned to take the lead on NBB efforts focused on this important market.

"Carbon reduction goals in the Northeast are driving significant opportunity for biodiesel and renewable diesel, with future potential on par with the West Coast market we see today," said NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen. "Key to that opportunity will be Bioheat in the home heating market. NBB, the soybean industry and the heating oil community have put millions of dollars into the research, market development, and education needed over the past 15-plus years. To take the next step and reach the industry goals of B50 Bioheat by 2030 and B100 by 2050, we felt this expanded state and regional policy focus was a critical step to bolster industry efforts."

Dodge said, "NBB has always been a leader in fuels policy work in the Northeast and I'm excited to join the team in advancing cleaner, renewable fuels like biodiesel and renewable diesel. Collaboration and coalition-building with our members and key stakeholders in the region, and in close coordination with the home heating oil industry, will be key to securing support in statehouses throughout the region."

NBB's state governmental affairs efforts are led by Floyd Vergara from the organization's Sacramento, California, office. Dodge's addition on the East Coast compliments the program along with an already robust contract lobbying and support team strategically positioned across the country.