Southwestern Biofuels Association, Renewable Energy and Biodiesel

Governor Bill Richardson and the New Mexico congressional delegation convened a group of academic, scientific, state and corporate leaders around the imperative of establishing a New Mexico State Plan for Biofuels Leadership.

Read the Plan Here »

August 17, 2010» Congressman Harry Teague announced a new program designed to grow renewable energy education and jobs could be coming to southern New Mexico. Funding, secured by Harry Teague in the Labor Health Education Appropriations Act passed by the House, would allow Western New Mexico University (WNMU) to develop a program that will train New Mexicans to fill coming jobs in the biofuel industry through the creation of a biofuel curriculum at area colleges.

June 4, 2010»
Congressman Harry Teague joined energy industry and academic leaders in the unveiling of the New Mexico State Plan For Biofuels Leadership. The document, announced at the Re-Energize America Conference organized by New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Honorary Chairman Harry Teague, provides a step-by-step, comprehensive plan to bring green jobs to New Mexico. Read more »

December 15, 2009 »
NM, Other States Compete for Energy Development
Albuquerque, NM – New Mexico has invited dozens of scientists, industry experts and others from across the nation to help develop a strategy for growing the state's biofuels industry. Read more »

December 9, 2009 »
New Mexico Leaders Announce Strategic Inititiative to Develop Sustainable Biofuels Industry
Santa Fe, NM (December 9, 2009) – Gov. Bill Richardson and the New Mexico congressional delegation today launched an initiative to develop a statewide strategic plan to make New Mexico a national leader in the emerging biofuels industry. Read more »

November 11, 2009 »
Camelina Cleared Another Hurdle for the Future Success and Adoption of the New Biodiesel Feedstock
Biodiesel Magazine (November 11, 2009 post) – The North American Camelina Trade Association announced Nov. 10 that it received approval from the Center for Veterinary Medicine, a department of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for the use of camelina meal in the diets of feedlot beef cattle up to 10 percent of the weight of the total ration. Read more »

USDA announced non-rural and foreign advanced biofuels producers now are eligible for payment under the agency's Advanced Biofuels Payment Program.

For more information about the program and eligibility, click here to see the announcement or contact the USDANew Mexico State Office, Ms. Jesse Bopp, 505.761.4952 or jesse.bopp@nm.usda.gov.

The Final of the New Mexico State Plan for Biofuels Leadership

Governor Bill Richardson and the New Mexico congressional delegation convened an expert group December 9, 2009, to discuss the imperative of establishing a New Mexico State Plan for Biofuels Leadership. The initial meeting at the Roundhouse set in motion a process to develop a sustainable statewide biofuels industry that is ecologically well suited to the Southwest. To read and download the Plan, click here.

The SWBA Biofuels Policy Summit April 13- 14, 2010, Embassy Suites Hotel & Spa, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The two-day meeting once again hosted our most respected energy and environmental leaders from the federal, state, industrial and research arenas. The unique gathering of experts focused on the obstacles and solutions to develop biofuels in the Southwest. This year attracted the best and the brightest from the political, scientific, business and policy arena.

View Agenda and Presentations »

Sapphire Energy Vice President Tim Zenk is named SWBA Chairman

The Board of Directors unanimously elected Zenk who is Vice President of Government Affairs for the algae based company whose goal is to be the world's leading producer of renewable petrochemical products. Zenk is part of the Sapphire team that has built a scientifically superior platform that uses photosynthetic microorganisms to convert sunlight, and CO2 into carbon-neutral alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. "Tim has spent much of his distinguished career shaping public policy - in helping leaders become better leaders and the public become more educated about key issues impacting the nation and the globe," said Vaughn Gangwish, SWBA's Executive Director. "Tim's more than 20 years of rich experience has taken him from the front lines of Washington D.C., to the back roads of the Middle East, and now he will put that experience and skill to work at SWBA. We are extremely pleased to have him lead our efforts."

Legislation Introduced

New Mexico Congressman Harry Teague has introduced the "Biofuels Engineering Training Act" this Session. The legislation jumpstarts the development of the academic field of biofuels engineering by providing a grant for an organization like ABET to study what the accreditation standards should be for biofuels engineering programs. The bill also provides for resources to institutions of higher education to support under grad and graduate biofuels engineering programs and biofuels engineering training centers, and cooperation between those programs and the national labs. Government fellowships for biofuels engineering students also would be available if the bill becomes law.

Extend Studio