The Maine Energy Marketers Association invited Pacific Biodiesel Co-founder Kelly King to speak at the 2024 Northern New England Energy Conference in Bar Harbor, Maine where liquid fuel dealers gathered this past June.

In a presentation titled, “Energy Security, Supply Chain Resiliency and Greenhouse Gas Reduction: How Hawaii’s locally produced biofuels are threading the needle – can Maine do the same?”, King outlined how Pacific Biodiesel’s community-based production model supports the circular economy.

“Benefits include local family wage-earning jobs, local revenue – with 85% staying in the state – local food and fuel security, and the best GHG reduction for environmental protection,” she pointed out.

King also participated in a round table discussion, Energy Choice & the Future of Liquid Fuels, with a panel of presenters.

“Kelly King’s presentation at our 2024 Northern New England Energy Conference was outstanding!” said Charlie Summers, President & CEO of the Maine Energy Marketers Association. “Through foresight and perseverance Kelly and her husband, Bob, have become international leaders in the biofuels industry. The insight and advice she shared with us will prove invaluable in our efforts to promote the acceptance and use of biofuels across Maine and Northern New England. Maine Energy Marketers Association members are already singing her praises and we look forward to working with her in the future!”

Local news station WABI 5 interviewed King for its evening broadcast.  Highlighting the benefits of biodiesel for the northeast audience, King explained, “The University of Southern California just did a lifecycle analysis for Hawaii that compares a biodiesel bus with an electric bus and in their preliminary report biodiesel came out using almost 50% less energy, 89% less water, has a 40-something percent better decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. So, that’s the kind of data that we’re trying to share among these different communities who want to keep the idea of renewable fuel mix alive, so that we have a choice.”

MEMA’s Summers concurred. “These are our fuels that are here today and can make a difference today in Maine,” he said.  “As far as reaching Maine’s climate goals, I think it’s just very important that we preserve the choice for Mainers. We’re not asking them to favor one fuel over another. We’re just asking the legislature to pass a law that will make it so that Mainers will always have the right to choose.”