Timeline | fuel-of-the-future

1990 - The University of Missouri and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council fund a study to demonstrate the use of soy-based mono-alkyl esters as a diesel fuel replacement.

1992 - The National SoyDiesel Development Board was founded by Qualified State Soybean Boards from Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and South Dakota to coordinate state and national development efforts.

1993 - Dozens of biodiesel demonstrations begin, including Lambert International Airport (St. Louis), New Jersey Highway Dept., and US Postal Service.

1994 - Recognizing value of diversity, the Board of Directors vote to change the name from the National SoyDiesel Development Board to the National Biodiesel Board.

1998 - President Clinton signs Executive Order 13101, giving preference to bio-based products for federal government use.Congress approves biodiesel use for compliance with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT).

1999 - President Clinton signs Executive Order 13134, calling for the expanded use of bio-based fuels such as biodiesel. The US biodiesel industry produces 500,000 gallons.

2000 - Biodiesel becomes the only alternative fuel to successfully complete the EPA’s Tier I and Tier II Health Effects Testing under the Clean Air Act.

2001 - The National Biodiesel Accreditation Program (BQ-9000) is established as a cooperative and voluntary program for the accreditation of producers and marketers of biodiesel fuel.

2001 - The Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) buys 1.5 million gallons of B20 for use at government sites throughout the US, marking an increased commitment for government use of biodiesel.

2002 - Groundbreaking biodiesel legislation becomes law in Minnesota, requiring the inclusion of 2 percent soy-based biodiesel (B2) into the majority of Minnesota's diesel pool.The Senate version of the Energy Bill includes the first-ever proposed biodiesel tax incentive, giving the fuel a one-cent exemption per percentage of biodiesel, up to 20 percent.

2003 - The National Biodiesel Board prepares for its first ever biodiesel conference and expo, set to take place in Palm Springs, CA in February 2004.

2004 - The biodiesel tax incentive is first enacted as part of HR 4250, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

2005 - Minnesota's landmark B2 standard is implemented.President Bush signs legislation establishing a tax incentive for biodiesel.

2006 - The National Biodiesel Board opens its Washington, D.C. office. The office is committed to raising awareness of biodiesel successes, while advancing positive federal energy policy.

2007 - The National Biodiesel Board adopts a new board structure to help ensure its ability to speak with one voice. The structure streamlines and clarifies membership categories, guarantees more biodiesel producer seats on the Governing Board, and envisions proportion of producer leaders over time.The National Biodiesel Board launches its Political Action Committee.The National Biodiesel Foundation is reestablished and becomes active in developing resources to support the biodiesel industry.The US biodiesel industry produces 500 million gallons of fuel.

2008 - President Bush signs legislation establishing the renewable fuel standard (RFS2) providing a mandate of use of biomass based diesel for obligated parties.The National Biodiesel Board opens its new “green” headquarters office in Jefferson City, Missouri. The refurbished building offers motion-activated lighting, high-recycled content carpet, skylights, low VOC paint, and solar powered security lighting in the parking lot.ASTM passes new specification, one that allows for diesel to contain up to B5, and another that sets a new specification for blends of B6 - B20.The state of Washington begins its B2 state-wide standard.

2009 - Pennsylvania biodiesel requirement triggers 2 percent biodiesel in all diesel fuel, to begin January 1, 2010.Oregon B2 standard begins, with an increase to B5 in 2011.

2010 - The RFS2 program officially goes into effect. The RFS program sets annual mandates for renewable transportation fuels.New York City passes a 2 percent Bioheat® mandate. The bill creates a 2 percent biodiesel standard in the city's heating oil beginning in 2012.

2011 - The National Biodiesel Board launches the Advanced Biofuel Initiative. US biodiesel is the only commercial-scale advanced biofuel in America, as defined by the EPA.More than 60 percent of US manufacturers now support B20 or higher blends in at least some of their equipment.The US biodiesel industry breaks the 1 billion gallons produced mark.

2013 - The biodiesel industry set a new production record with nearly 1.8 billion gallons of Advanced Biofuel, exceeding RFS volume requirements for the third year in a row.

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