UBA

A Mission Objectives:

Commercialize, deploy, and achieve the Million Gallon Challenge Program
UBA™s primary Commercialization and Deployment goal is facilitate and develop 1,000,000 Gallons of Biofuel per day over the next 5 years.
Mitigate barriers to biofuel development in Central and South America
How? UBA works with groups, organizations and governmental bodies to identify key issues and areas that need to be addressed to improve foreign investor confidence and PR in Central America.
Facilitating North American biofuel interests in Central and South America
How? Through our US partners and affiliations, UBA works to improve awareness of benefits and opportunity in Central American Investment.
Facilitate, Procure and Coordinate biofuel feedstock channels for Regional North American demands
How? UBA is establishing key partners in various regions, building a network of farmer/development supply chains.
Shape regional policies and procedure
How? UBA is working with regional governments to establish common mind share to help stimulate foreign investment and development. As well, UBA™ focus on environment/socio area ensures sustainable development that also contributes to local economies.
Regulate standards and quality control for Biodiesel feedstock to meet or exceed end-buyer requirements.
How? UBA is working to develop its own research and testing facility and currently is utilizing lab facilities of universities and partner lab facilities for testing.

UBA Membership Information

Recent News

UBA Sustainable Energy Conference 2012

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E-mail: info@unitedbiofuelsofamerica

The Million Gallon Challenge

The Million Gallon Challenge (MGC) business plan was originally designed to meet a request from contractors for the USDD, to supply 1,000,000 gallons per day of Jatropha Crude Oil (JCO) for continuous flow testing for the conversion of JCO to JP8 or jet fuel.
In the two years since MGC inception, the supply demand ratio has become extreme.
Investors have significant opportunity in a new energy growth sector. Look at the following factors:

Refineries, throughout the Americas operating at less than 15% capacity (Biofuel)

Current limited plantations either contracted, or not producing enough

Consider the cost to produce a gallon of JCO, a range between $.85 to $1.23 USD

Realizing that global mandates, both country and industry mandates, are continuing to drive the price of JCO up (from $2.00 to $2.50, in the last year alone)

Jatropha Farm Management

A primary concern in Jatropha Farm Management is mitigating potential conflicts between Biofuel production and the protection of the environment, sustainable development, and rural development and participation. Designing and implementing Jatropha oil crops in a structured Agro-Supply chain provides an excellent business opportunity, and by utilizing proper Farm Management best practices maximum ROI is assured.

Crop-cultivation business services

Identifying land or decide for contract farming
Conducting feasibility studies
Business plan development
Forming farming company with team experts
Solicit financing
Develop the markets
Cost benefits calculations
By product value chain and rural business enhancement
Insurance Evaluation

Crop Implementation

Land preparation
Material (Planting material, growing media)
Nursery
Intercropping
Crop cultivation
Equipment requirements – Machinery (tractor, Power tiller, digger, tumblers, extractors, etc.)
Labor (Crop plantation, Crop maintenance, harvesting, processing)
Propagation
Harvesting technologies and practices
Labor (Crop plantation, Crop maintenance, harvesting, processing)
System management
Processing & Logistics infrastructure

Farm Management Services

Consultation/Inspection Evaluation
Training of Key Personnel
Certification of Farm Manager
Ongoing consultation and support

Eligibility

A Voting Membership on the UBA is available to any biodiesel Feedstock Producer, Feedstock Producer Organization, Biodiesel Producer, or Biodiesel Marketer that is dedicated to the corporate purpose, pays the required dues, complies with the Articles, Bylaws, and Policies and Procedures of the National Biodiesel Board, and operates in a manner consistent with UBA goals.

Membership Approval Procedure

Upon receipt of a completed UBA Membership Application Form, and a check for the appropriate Minimum Annual Dues, UBA shall act expeditiously on the application pursuant to the procedure detailed in the UBA Directorship Admission Policy.

Membership Classes

Associate Member $350.00 USD
Directorate Membership $1000.00 USD

Delegates and Alternates

Voting Members. In order to operate knowledgeably, efficiently and consistently in the best interests of the biodiesel industry, that dues-paying legal entity must appoint only one individual to serve it consistently at UBA meetings.
That designated individual will be its Voting Delegate. This person must be an officer or agent of the dues-paying entity with full authority to vote on all matters coming before the Voting Members of the UBA. Each Voting Member elected shall have the option to designate an Alternate in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of the election.

Meeting Attendance

Faithful attendance at meetings is necessary for the UBA to act faithfully for the benefit of the industry. Proper attendance at an UBA meeting that fails for lack of a quorum is a waste of time for those Members who took the time to faithfully attend, and accomplishes nothing for the industry. Important Notice: An UBA Member, through its Voting Delegate or Alternate, is strongly encouraged to attend all meetings, and expected to attend at least half of all UBA meetings.

UBA Structure

These Bylaws are made a part of the United Biofuels of America Consortium (UBA) membership agreements and shall govern the organization and operation of the Consortium with respect to administration, membership, reports, confidentiality of information, and rights in documents produced by the consortium. Any changes to these Bylaws must be approved by two-thirds of the Consortium members in good standing at the time the proposal for change is made.
The Consortium will be administered by the board of directors. The functions and responsibilities of individuals and committees in the Consortium are as follows:

MONTHLY MEETINGS

The monthly meetings will serve several purposes. The board will take a roll call of members and will review minutes from the prior meeting. Members will discuss current business items which may include formation of new working groups, acceptance of new members, and reports from working group leads. Following the review of general business items, members will divide into working groups to discuss working group topics. Periodically, monthly meetings will be held in connection with conferences and clinics.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting will serve as a forum for Members to become familiar with the on-going activities of the Consortium. The purpose of the annual meeting is to present results from working groups and to present the activities of the Consortium over the prior year. The Treasurer will report on the disbursement of funds during the year. The President will present the plan for the following year. Officers will also be elected at this meeting.

REPORTING

A confidential written report detailing all activities generated involving the use of Membership dues during the previous year will be furnished to all Consortium Members before the annual meeting. A password protected web site will also be established to provide current information to all Consortium Members.

Regulatory Management

The Regulatory Team monitors and analyzes both the regulatory and legislative landscapes concerning biodiesel. The team identifies barriers and opportunities to expanding the use of biodiesel. In carrying out that function, the team tracks an average of over 300 pieces of legislation nationwide. They then provide access to those bills through the members only website, allowing members to focus just on their state, region or area of interest.

The team also updates members with regular memos summarizing current events. Memos include biodiesel specific legislation, passed legislation, new incentives and regulatory developments.

The Members Only section of our website also provides access to current laws and incentives nationwide. These pages includes easy to read summaries, point and click access as well as some historical background. The site strives to be a one-stop place of up-to-date information that can be used by members to further business planning or strengthen existing markets.

Lastly, the team provides personal service in the form of customized memos, answering individual questions and providing analysis and strategy.

UBA Sustainable Energy Conference Novermber 2012

The United Biofuels of America Sustainable Energy Conference is a powerful gathering in Latin America of international private and public sector renewable energy professionals exploring the most up-to-date developments of sustainable energy options. This unique conference includes the Jatropha Harvest Experience, a one-day hands-on workshop covering the complete Jatropha plantation process. Participants will learn everything from planting, agronomy, pruning and harvesting to end-product production on a 50 acre Jatropha farm in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Conference participants include both upstream and downstream players from Governmental bodies, educational institutions, refineries, technologists, researchers, investors, and developers to the local farmer. Each year the participant numbers have increased, doubling at the last conference with Representatives from 17 countries and over 160 participants including Applied Research Associates (ARA), The University of Florida, Earth University, and Recope. In addition, we received land pledges of over 80,000 hectares. This year we expect over 200 participants and 160,000 hectares in land pledges.

Attendees will be here seeking tailored solutions to their unique challenges. The combination of hands on experience and participation of educated regional leaders in the sustainable energy markets creates the ideal platform for you to meet like-minded colleagues all supporting the growth of the clean energy markets.

The Jatropha Harvest Experience 2011

is a 3 day hands-on workshop. This workshop includes the complete plantation process. You will walk through the entire Jatropha process learning everything from planting, agronomy, pruning and harvesting to end-product production; beginning to end, on a R&D 200 acre plantation in Colombia, South America.

This is the must-attend event for anyone planting, looking to plant or interested in the Biofuels industry. Before you plant one seed, Genetic Micro Stem or plan the next Bio-oil field, stop everything. Get further educated, with hands-on experience about the TRUTH.

Colombia is being recognized as the next great Biofuel investment landscape. Governmental buy-in, vast amounts of available land, inexpensive labor and development costs, and expertise in Biofuel plantation development, has caught the eye of many new sustainable investment groups.

The Jatropha Harvest Experience, 2010

Costa Rica, was the second annual event dedicated to the propagation of knowledge of Jatropha Biofuel Farming. This Event brought nearly 100 attendees from over 15 different countries wanting to experience the Harvest first hand, collaborate and participate in UBAÂ Round Tables.

The first UBA Latin America Round table was held at the conclusion of this important event, to discuss go forward steps in developing over 245,000 hectares of Jatropha plantation developments throughout the region. Participantes from Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, USA, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Argentina, Ecuador and Peru attended this Round Table.

The UBA Round Table primary mission is The Million Gallon Challenge which is designed to meet end-buyer contracts for Jatropha Crude Oil (JCO). These require significant plantation developments to ensure feedstock supply. This project will require several hundred thousand hectares of Jatropha plantation development over the next 5 years, regionally in Central and South America.

The Jatropha Harvest Experience 2011

is a 3 day hands-on workshop. This workshop includes the complete plantation process. You will walk through the entire Jatropha process learning everything from planting, agronomy, pruning and harvesting to end-product production; beginning to end, on a R&D 200 acre plantation in Colombia, South America.

This is the must-attend event for anyone planting, looking to plant or interested in the Biofuels industry. Before you plant one seed, Genetic Micro Stem or plan the next Bio-oil field, stop everything. Get further educated, with hands-on experience about the TRUTH.

Colombia is being recognized as the next great Biofuel investment landscape. Governmental buy-in, vast amounts of available land, inexpensive labor and development costs, and expertise in Biofuel plantation development, has caught the eye of many new sustainable investment groups.

JHE Overview JHE Overview Espanol Attendee List Conference Agenda Jatropha Biology

Why Costa Rica Conference Agenda Espanol Jatropha Biology Espanol Why Costa Rica Espanol

Meet and Greet Photos

Conference Day Agenda:

"Introduction to Jatropha Harvest Experience Costa Rica 2010."
Lance Harrell- Director of Science and Information for UBA; MC for Event

Morning Session

"Situacion actual y perspectivas de Jatropha curcas en Costa Rica."Alonso Acuna – Ministry of Agriculture
"Jatropha Mechanized Harvesting Technology"Scott Korthuis – Oxbo Corp
"Jatropha Pests and Diseases" -Pending Lizz Johnson – CABI
"Healing and Cosmetic Potential of Jatropha"Accompanying Video Ellen Kamhi – Jatropha World USA
"Jatropha Development in the US" – Not Available Matt Hersch – Topo Energy

Afternoon Session

"Outlook for Jatropha in Costa Rica"Javier Flores – Costa Rican Minister of Agriculture
"Costa Rica Seed Company"– Not Available Ed Acosta – President Costa Rica Seed Company
"Energy and the Transportation Industry" - Not Available Merrill Atwater Eisenhower – Fox Energy
"Intense Jatropha Production"Daniel Herrera – Chief Agronomer UBA
"Introduction to UBA"Michael Klein – Chief Development Officer for UBA

Conference Day Photos

Million Gallon Challenge

The Million Gallon Challenge was designed to meet end-buyer contracts for Jatropha Crude Oil (JCO). These require significant plantation developments to ensure feedstock supply. This project will require several hundred thousand hectares of Jatropha plantation development, regionally in Central and South America.

UBA is working to eliminate barriers to development and facilitate development throughout Central, South and North America for this initiative.

Currently UBA has interests in Costa Rica, Panama, USA, Colombia, Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in relation to this project..

Testing and Standards

Biodiesel tests to ASTM and European fuel standards include:

• Biodiesel Feedstock Evaluation and Testing to AOCS Methods

• EN and ASTM Biodiesel Quality Specifications

• Diesel Fuel Testing

• Biodiesel Testing ASTM D6751

• Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock, B100

• Biodiesel BQ-9000 Quality Testing

• EU Biodiesel Fuel Standard EN-14214

• Algae Derived Renewable Fuel Quality Testing

UBA tests biodiesel fuels to recognized industry standards such as EN, AOCS and ASTM.

UBA Label & Standards Regulatory Platform

The UBA Label & Standards Regulatory Platform guarantees that projects, products and work at the various levels are compliant to the highest standards.

This is focused in the following critical areas:

• Farming Best Practices – Agronomic Management

• Developments are participating in Sustainable Growth programs, such as UBA/CABI Monitor Evaluation Mitigate (MEM), as outlined in the Socio/Environmental section

• Mechanization and other technological use and/or recommendations have been tested and meet industry standards.

• Ensure Biofuel feedstock quality and technical standards for crude oils and byproducts meet or exceed end-buyer expectation

Biodiesel Fuels Testing

Our laboratory provides complete analysis for biodiesel fuels and other alternative fuels. Biodiesel customers using our services enjoy rapid testing, reliable results, and a competitive value. Areas: biodiesel testing, biodiesel fuel quality control, fuel contamination issues, quality confirmation, trace residual, and other analyses.

Million Gallon Challenge

The Million Gallon Challenge was designed to meet end-buyer contracts for Jatropha Crude Oil (JCO). These require significant plantation developments to ensure feedstock supply. This project will require several hundred thousand hectares of Jatropha plantation development, regionally in Central and South America.

UBA is working to eliminate barriers to development and facilitate development throughout Central, South and North America for this initiative.

Currently UBA has interests in Costa Rica, Panama, USA, Colombia, Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in relation to this project..

Extent of Testing and Analysis of Costa Rican Jatropha

• Seedcake Spectral Analysis – Moisture, Oil, Sugars, Protein

• Foliar Lab Test – Nutrient Content, Soli Conditions

• Fatty Acid Distribution of Jatropha and soybean Oil

• CH Product Distribution by Carbon Number

• Hydro treated Product Distribution by Carbon Number

• Theoretical Product Distribution

• Jatropha-Derived “Green” Jet Fuel Properties

• Jatropha-Derived “Green Diesel Properties

• Gas Chromatograms of Petroleum JP-8 and Jatropha Green Jet Fuel

UBARD Biofuels Research Center

United Biofuels of America is currently designing a new state-of-the-art research center in Costa Rica. Not only will this facility play host to some of the most respected scientists in renewable energies and lead the world in research and development of bio-based fuels, but the Center itself will be designed to be carbon negative.

United Biofuels of America Research Division (UBARD) is primed to take on a leadership role in the scientific community through development, commercialization and dispersal of biological and non-biological technologies. The mission of UBARD will be to push back the frontiers of knowledge surrounding biofuels while seeking to optimize the entire farm to fuel process and limit negative environmental and socioeconomic impact.

Agronomics:

• Climatic and Range Studies: Through strategic partnerships with institutions worldwide, UBARD will initiate, coordinate and analyze projects to more thoroughly define the potential geographical range and climatic limitations of various feedstocks.

• Biomass Optimization: Through the establishment of new and the expansion of ongoing test plots, UBARD will evaluate plant performance and yield under different agro practices such as irrigation scheduling, VAM and bio-fertilizer application, plant spacing, intercropping and pruning trials.

• Strain Identification: Identification, collection and testing of various germplasm will be conducted in conjunction with the above programs to develop a bank of known performance characteristics so that the proper strain can be applied to the proper growing region.

Biotechnology:

• Selection and Genetic Improvement: Studies will be conducted to enhance desired trait characteristics through Mass Selection, Recurrent Selection, Mutation Breeding, Heterosis Breeding and Inter-specific Hybridization.

• Genetic Engineering: UBARD will develop strategic partnerships to conduct genetic transformation experiments aimed at improving desired feedstock characteristics including drought and pest resistance, increased yield, accelerated inflorescence among others.

• Micro-propagation applications: Propagation materials such as cuttings and seeds both process caveats, therefore UBARD will continue to develop and refine tissue culture protocols designed to generate a continuous, year round supply of genetically superior propagation material.

Social and Environmental Impact:

• GHG Footprint Analysis: Through a combination of collaborations and direct experimentation, UBARD will attempt to assess the green house gas (GHG) footprint for the various biofuel production systems currently in use. This evaluation will include the entire farm to fuel process: land use emissions, by-product use and allocation, energy inputs for refining and transport, etc.

• Sustainability: Continuing and expanding on the association with CABI and other institutions, UBARD will conduct detailed socioeconomic and environmental surveys to assess the level of impact large scale plantation development will have on potential lands.

Technology and Automation:

• Mechanization: With a focus on improving efficiency and decreasing overall energy input, UBARD will continue to work in conjunction with companies such as BEI and OXBO to test and refine planting, harvesting and refining equipment.End

• User Products: Expanding on current collaborations, such as that with ARA, UBARD will aid in the development and promotion of biofuel and biofuel by-product based consumer technologies.

Sustainability

Policies are needed to ensure that local households, businesses and communities recieve the benefits of energy services from Jatropha based biodiesel development, as well as associated income and job opportunities. It is essential to engage small farmers and producers in the policy formulation discussions.

Environmental Sustainability

UBA has partnered with CABI, Central American Bioscience International and has initiated the Monitoring, Evaluation and Mitigation (MEM) approach for sustainable biofuel crop production systems in the Caribbean and Central America. This comprehensive project will establish policies and procedures throughout the Americas.

CABI is a science-based development organization with a unique combination of scientific research, development and publishing experience tracing its origins back to 1910. CABI holds intergovernmental, not-for-profit status being established by a United Nations treaty level agreement between 44 countries who wanted to “promote the advancement of agriculture and allied sciences through the provision of information, scientific and related services on a world-wide basis”.

This project involving the following actors; CABI, United Biofuels of America, Costa Rica Seed Company, University of Costa Rica, Fabio Baudrit Experimental Station, Division of the Ministry of Agriculture Land and Marine Resources (MALMR), and CATIE, the Centre for Tropicla Agriculture in Costa Rica.

Million Gallon Challenge

The UBA development platform covers the following critical areas:

Outreach Planning and Analysis

The primary missions of the Outreach Planning and Analysis division are:

Indentify and facilitate opportunities for commercial development of sustainable biofuels at scale in Central America
Generate mind-share through and with focus groups and round tables
Facilitate and support promotional programs/events such as the Jatropha Harvest Experience and the UBA Latin American Round Table
Policies relating to developments often overlap or conflict with other policies from other governmental bodies.
Policies are needed to ensure that local households, businesses, lands, biodiversity and communities receive the benefits of energy services from biodiesel development. It is essential to engage all actors, from Governmental bodies to small farmers and producers in the policy formulation discussions.
UBA works with the key centers of influence to help facilitate and support responsible biofuel developments.
Commercialization and Deployment Programs
The Million Gallon Challenge goal requires a diverse delivery platform.

Services Deployed for Commercialization Programs

A primary concern in Jatropha Farm Management is mitigating potential conflicts between Biofuel production, environment protection, and sustainability. Designing and implementing Jatropha oil crops in a structured Agro-Supply Chain provides multiple opportunities, and by utilizing proper Farm Management best practices you ensure maximum ROI, Sustainability and project success.

Crop-cultivation business services

Agronomic Technological Package(s)

Identifying land [O1] for farming programs

Conducting feasibility studies

Business plan development

Forming farming company with team experts

Solicit financing

Develop the markets

Cost benefits calculations

By product value chain and rural business enhancement

Insurance Evaluation

Crop Implementation

Agronomic Technological Package

Land preparation

Material (Planting material, growing media)

Nursery

Intercropping

Crop cultivation

Equipment requirements – Machinery (tractor, Power tiller, digger, tumblers, extractors, etc.)

Labor (Crop plantation, Crop maintenance, harvesting, processing)

Propagation

Harvesting technologies and practices

System management

Processing & Logistics infrastructures

Farm Management Services:

Consultation/Inspection Evaluation

Training of Key Personnel

Certification of Farm Manager

Ongoing consultation and support

Farm Management Services:

Consultation/Inspection Evaluation

Training of Key Personnel

Certification of Farm Manager

Ongoing consultation and support

1. Consortium President

The principal officer of the Consortium will be the Consortium President. The President is elected at the UBA annual meeting by the Consortium membership. The primary responsibilities of the President are to oversee the day-to-day administrative operations of the Consortium and to work with the board to develop plans to ensure that the mission and goals of the Consortium are met. The President is responsible for the development and implementation of the Consortium annual plan. The annual plan specifies the purpose of monthly meetings, sets milestones thoughout the year, specifies specific goals for the year and assigns tasks to working group leads.

2. Consortium Vice President

The Vice President is elected at the UBA annual meeting by the Consortium membership. The Consortium Vice President is responsible for assisting the President with the development and implementation of the annual plan. The Vice President assists the President with the plan implementation by carrying out administrative duties and filling in when the President is absent.

3. Consortium Secretary

The Secretary is elected at the UBA annual meeting by the Consortium membership. The Secretary is responsible for taking meeting minutes, distributing minutes to members, and following up on action items.

4. Consortium Treasurer

The Treasurer is elected at the UBA annual meeting by the Consortium membership. The Treasurer is responsible for collecting membership dues, disbursing funds, and accounting for expenditures.