Missouri Ag Connection - Joishy Named National Biodiesel Ambassador

Missouri Ag News Headlines

Joishy Named National Biodiesel Ambassador
Missouri Ag Connection - 01/18/2022

Mahanth Joishy is of singular mind and mission. He wants to help the thriving city of Madison, Wis., become one of the most sustainable cities in the world -- with biodiesel at the heart of the effort.

When Joishy became the city's fleet manager in 2017, one of his first acts was to switch the city's heavy-duty fleet -- about 500 vehicles -- to blends of biodiesel fuel.

"We are not powerless in facing climate change, which is a threat not just to Wisconsin, but to the world," Joishy said. "We can choose to take action by using better technologies and fuels, including biodiesel. Our community wants this and demands even more."

Under his leadership, diesel vehicles, from fire trucks to parks department mowers to the all-important snowplows, now run on up to a 20 percent biodiesel blend (B20) most of the year. The city is even retrofitting 17 Fleet Service vehicles to run on 100 percent on biodiesel fuel (B100) year-round. That's thanks to a project of the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, the National Biodiesel Board, Optimus Technologies and biodiesel producer Renewable Energy Group.

Tapping into Joishy's leadership and passion, NBB recently named him a Biodiesel Ambassador. Joishy first found a commitment to biodiesel in New York City, where he worked for 16 years in government operations. That included NYC Parks & Recreation, an early adopter of B20. The department helped pave the way for the entire city's massive expansion of the use of biodiesel for city vehicles and Bioheat fuel for heating buildings. He helped manage preparations and response to Hurricane Sandy, which struck the east coast in 2012.

"I knew if New York City could commit to biodiesel, so could Madison," Joishy said. "Most of our younger employees, including our mechanics, recognize this is the direction we're going, and they are excited. Biodiesel also helps our state's economy, creating demand for soybean oil from the farms of Wisconsin soybean farmers. The list of reasons to do this is powerfully long."

The Biodiesel Ambassador program, supported by the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff, cultivates a handful of volunteer spokespeople and mentors who are considered top biodiesel thought leaders.

"Mahanth Joishy's strong, passionate voice will be powerful in fostering more biodiesel education with fleet managers and others," said Tony Mellenthin, a Wisconsin soybean farmer who serves as a national USB director. "It's heartening to me that soybean farmers can help answer the growing call for low-carbon fuel. With biodiesel, we can immediately reduce our dependence on fossil fuels while protecting the environment and creating green jobs."

Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 74%. Studies show it can also reduce health threats like cancer and asthma attacks, as verified by a 2021 health study.

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel and renewable diesel are better, cleaner fuels that are available now for use in existing diesel engines without modification. NBB represents the entire biodiesel and renewable diesel value chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers and fuel distributors.

The National Biodiesel Board is funded in part by the United Soybean Board and state soybean board checkoff programs.

Other Missouri Headlines