Used cooking oil plant latest in biofuel entities to earn RSB sustainability certification
McLean, VA, March 2013 : The RSB Services Foundation, the implementing entity of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) which has developed a global sustainability standard and certification system for biofuel production, is pleased to announce that Piedmont Biofuels has earned the RSB sustainability certification.
The RSB certification encompasses the Pittsboro, North Carolina plant, where used cooking oil is collected from food service establishments throughout the region and waste fats oils and greases are purchased and converted into a clean burning biodiesel.
The biodiesel is then distributed to their 300 cooperative members and also sold to oil companies who blend it with petroleum diesel and distribute it through gas stations and other channels. Piedmont Biofuels is an innovator in having fuel come full circle, operating as efficiently as possible, sharing information, organizing a biodiesel cooperative, offering educational and research resources, and joining with the local community to make a difference.
The audit summary report is available on the RSB website, http://www.rsbservices.org. The audit was conducted by SCS Global Services, an RSB-accredited certification body based in Emeryville, California. SCS auditors were able to verify that the company’s biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 70% compared to conventional diesel fuel. Piedmont Biofuels was able to accomplish this through a variety of operational changes including an efficient automobile fleet and deployment of both active and passive solar equipment and strategies.
“Piedmont is a great example of a small business that can truly make a difference, not just locally and regionally but globally through inspiration, collaboration, and education that they offer others venturing into the biodiesel world,” says Peter Ryus, CEO of RSB Services Foundation. “The fact that they offer public tours every week at their plant shows that they are proud of what they do, embrace transparency, and encourage others to be inspired to make a positive change in the world.”
“We have wanted a legitimate certification standard for years,” said Lyle Estill, president of Piedmont. “Not all biofuels are created equal, and through RSB we can now differentiate our product from the biodiesel made at other plants from other sources of feedstock.”
“Piedmont has reached the pinnacle for biofuel certification,” said Debbie Hammel, senior resource specialist with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “When it comes to ensuring biofuels deliver on their promise without degrading our water, soil and wildlife habitat, the RSB is the most credible certification standard in the marketplace today.”
“By achieving certification, Piedmont Biofuels has demonstrated excellence as a model for sustainable biofuel production,” said Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, Executive Vice President of SCS. “The company is contributing to the local economy by converting a waste product into a valuable fuel source while meeting rigorous standards of environmental and social responsibility.”
The RSB certification system helps farmers, feedstock processors and biofuel producers prove their sustainability to the world. Certified entities demonstrate that their operations comply with ambitious yet practical safeguards, including, the protection of natural or rare ecosystems, food security, human rights to land, water and decent work conditions, and the management of water resources. With unmatched NGO support, global market compatibility across all feedstocks, practical guidance and tools for an ongoing sustainability system, RSB Services Foundation helps entities manage their risk and increase shareholder confidence in their business.
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