February 2014
| Business World Magazine | 109
stantially reduces the emission of pollutants,
specifically the hydrocarbons, carbon mon-
oxide and sulfates that contribute to global
climate change. Pacific Biodiesel’s commu-
nity-based biodiesel production model has
not only helped alleviate the environmental
hazards of dumping waste oils, but has also
helped diminish demand for fossil fuels, cre-
ated quality local jobs and put us on a path
to true energy security.
Although the benefits of biodiesel are
more widely understood today, that wasn’t
always the case. The Kings can be credited
for helping the entire industry by proving
that biodiesel is safe and highly sufficient in
a variety of applications. As Kelly explains,
the company began production before fuel
emissions standards had been established for
this segment of industry. She says basic mis-
understanding and “push-back” from big oil
created more than a few bumps on their road
to success.
In its early history, Pacific Biodiesel
helped regulators by providing data essen-
tial to testing and creating emission stan-
dards. As those standards have evolved over
the years, the company has invested in much
R&D, resulting in technology and efficiency
innovations, and shared some of its intel-
ligence with other companies, which has
Pacific Biodiesel President Robert King gives a tour of the Big Island Biodiesel facility.
