Maryland Biofuels Task Force holds kickoff meeting

photo of Antoine Thompson, Executive Director, GWRCCC, Jill Hamilton, President, Sustainable Energy Strategies, Inc. (GWRCCC Board Chair), Burl Haigwood, SESI/GWRCCC/Task Force Coordinator. Luis MacDonald, President, Autoflex Fleet, (GWRCCC Board Member).
Photo (Right to Left): Antoine Thompson, Executive Director, GWRCCC, Jill Hamilton, President, Sustainable Energy Strategies, Inc. (GWRCCC Board Chair), Burl Haigwood, SESI/GWRCCC/Task Force Coordinator. Luis MacDonald, President, Autoflex Fleet, (GWRCCC Board Member).

Many thanks to Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks for kicking off the Maryland Biofuels Task Force (MDBTF) meetings on June 23rd in Annapolis, MD.
The MDBTF is a diverse coalition of 37 organizations, companies, agencies, and advocacy groups united by a shared interest in clean energy, climate solutions, agricultural development, and low-carbon fuels. The task force’s role is to assess the challenges, costs, benefits, risks, and feasibility of utilizing higher blends of biofuels to help decarbonize Maryland’s transportation sector and support the goals of the Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA) of 2022

Maryland Biofuels Task Force Overview

Who

The Maryland Biofuels Task Force (MDBTF) Organizing Committee includes stakeholders from industry and nongovernmental organizations with expertise in alternative fuel production and use, environmental and energy policy, vehicle technology, fuel distribution, and agriculture.

What

Assess the challenges, costs, benefits, risks, and feasibility of utilizing higher blends of biofuels to help decarbonize Maryland’s transportation and home heating oil sectors.

When

April 23, 2025, to November 23, 2025

Where

Five virtual meetings. Email your request for a registration link using the contact information below.

Why

Maryland’s 2022 Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA) mandates a 60% carbon reduction by 2031 and net-zero emissions by 2045. ​Reducing 646 million metric tons of CO2e could yield a societal benefit of $135 billion. Maryland’s Climate Pollution Plan states, “​Additional policies are therefore needed to meet the state target.”

Economic Security

Maryland faces a projected $3 billion budget deficit, necessitating economic growth strategies. Will biofuels contribute to Maryland’s agriculture sector, the largest commercial industry in the state, which contributes $8.25 billion to the economy and employs 350,000 people?

Energy Security

  • Maryland lacks local energy production, relying heavily on imports, which poses risks to
    energy security. ​
  • Can increasing biofuel use improve Maryland’s energy security, supply, and resiliency
    while protecting against foreign oil market manipulations and possible tariffs?

Why Not

  1. The Task Force will identify the challenges, barriers, and information gaps preventing Maryland from achieving economic, energy, and environmental security objectives: Public education, consumer perception, technological, political/policy, budget, economic, and social strategies.
  2. The Task Force will identify opportunities and make recommendations to overcome the challenges, barriers, and information gaps. These recommendations will be science- based, actionable, measurable, practical, achievable, and will consider Maryland’s unique needs and resources.

Accompanying Material  

Maryland Biofuels Task Force Press Release 
Maryland Biofuels Task Force Organizing Committee Stakeholder Engagement Survey:
Maryland Biofuels Task Force Organizing Committee Stakeholder Engagement Survey:  PDF Reference Materials

Maryland Biofuels Task Force Organizing Committee

Host Organization
Antoine Thompson, Executive Director, Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition
Burl Haigwood, Task Force Coordinator, Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Organizing Committee
Madi Corbi, Manager, Demand & Market Development, Ohio Soybean Council
Ed Cronin, Transportation Lead and GIS Analyst, Virginia Department of Energy
Stephen Dodge, Director, Northeastern States, Clean Fuels Alliance America
Doug Durante, Executive Director, Clean Fuels Development Coalition
Danielle Farace, Executive Director, Maryland Soybean Producers Board
Ezra Finkin, Director of Corporate Affairs & Development, Chevron Renewable Energy Group
Jill Hamilton, President, Sustainable Energy Strategies Inc.
Alleyn Harned, President of the Board of Directors, Transportation Energy Partners
Ed Hubbard, General Counsel and VP of Government Affairs, Renewable Fuels Association
Colin Huwyler, CEO, Optimus Technology
Joanne Ivancic, Executive Director, Advanced Biofuels USA
Luis MacDonald, President, AutoFlex, Inc.
Cynthia Maves, Director, Ohio Clean Fuels
Katherine Magruder, Executive Director, Maryland Clean Energy Center
John Mosheim, President, GHG Engineering, LLC
Jonathan Phillips, Executive Director, Groundwork Elizabeth
Russell Presnell, Clean Fleet Engagement Manager, Virginia Clean Cities
Glenn Robinson, Customer Relations, Dixie Land Energy, LLC
Terry Ruse, President, Projects Plus
Mary Stewart, Farmer Representative, Maryland Soybean Producers Board
Lindsay Thompson, Executive Director, Maryland Grain Producers and Utilization Board
For more information, contact Burl Haigwood, Task Force Coordinator at bhaigwood@sesi-
online.com, 703-322-4484 (Sustainable Energy Strategies).