Pacific Biodiesel Receives National Green Jobs Award

Kelly and Bob King, owners of Pacific Biodiesel. Photo courtesy of Pacific Biodiesel.

By Sonia Isotov

Pacific Biodiesel  is one of just seven companies in the nation to be recognized by the SJF Institute as a 2011 Green Jobs Award honoree.

The Green Jobs Award honors private businesses that contribute to both the economy and the environment. Applicants are judged on their contribution to environmental quality, the quality of their jobs and benefits, the diversity of employment opportunities, and their level of community engagement.

“This award is both timely and significant for our company.  As we continue to grow and add new staff, we become increasingly aware of how important it is to develop quality, fulfilling jobs for people who really want to be contributors to a sustainable future,” said Kelly King, vice president of Pacific Biodiesel.

In the past year Pacific Biodiesel has added 10 new staff positions and its new project, Big Island Biodiesel, created 85 construction jobs.  “We are excited to be growing and supporting more and more families with jobs that are fulfilling, dynamic and making a difference in our communities and our nation,” said Kelly King, Vice-President of Pacific Biodiesel.

The Green Jobs awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 10th at the Citi Executive Conference Center in New York City and will feature keynote speaker Jonathan Greenblatt, the Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.

“These seven exemplary companies show you can have true sustainability while creating real, quality jobs at all levels,” said Bonny Moellenbrock, SJF Institute Executive Director, in a written statement. “By acknowledging the tremendous work these companies are doing, we hope to both support their efforts and inspire other businesses to follow their lead.”

The Green Jobs Award is made possible by the support of the Citi Foundation. “The Citi Foundation is proud to support the 2011 Green Jobs Awards,” said Pam Flaherty, chief executive director and president of the Citi Foundation, in a written statement. “These seven honorees demonstrate that a triple bottom line business strategy can be successful for any size organization. As the US strives to create more high quality employment opportunities, these businesses are contributing to this effort in a way that also adds value to the environment and our communities.”

Recognized as a renewable energy leader by local, national and international organizations, Pacific Biodiesel continues to produce and sell quality fuel throughout the state of Hawaii. Pacific Biodiesel is currently participating in APEC as part of the SEE-IT (Science Engineering

Exposition Innovation Technology) at the Hawaii Convention Center, showcasing its renewable, sustainable community-based biodiesel production model to the international community.