BioFuels Journal

One of the nation’s great champions of biodiesel has retired from his post at Yellowstone National Park.

Jim Evanoff, Environmental Protection Specialist for Yellowstone, served the park for 24 years, and the National Park Service for 32 years.

In the biodiesel world, Evanoff is known for being one of the first fleet managers to embrace biodiesel.

In 1995, he became the driver and senior staff champion of the Truck in the Park Biodiesel Demonstration truck—the first alternate fueled vehicle in the world’s first national park fueled by 100-percent biodiesel.

From there, the program grew to using B20 in about 350 diesel vehicles and pieces of equipment, and helped bring five public B20 stations to the greater Yellowstone area.

“As stewards of America’s national parks, we felt an obligation to demonstrate and promote the use of renewable alternative fuels,” Evanoff said.

“Yellowstone has always been a leader in advancing sound environmental stewardship initiatives and I’m proud the biodiesel project served as a model for numerous public and private entities across the country.”

In 2006, the National Biodiesel Board presented Evanoff with the “Inspiration” award.

He was also named a Biodiesel Ambassador by the organization in 2011.

Evanoff is a tireless biodiesel advocate who has spoken about the park’s positive experience with the fuel at countless national conferences and meetings.

“Jim Evanoff is more than just a champion and pioneer for biodiesel, he is sincerely one of my favorite people,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board.

“His ’94 Dodge diesel pickup that ran for over 300,000 miles only on B100 in Yellowstone retired a year before Jim...to the Smithsonian! His personality is so magnetic he is unable to carry credit cards.

"His organ donor card includes his mustache. Jim is a brilliant naturalist, communicator, educator, innovator and certified bad dude.”

Since his retirement, Evanoff has started his own consulting firm, promoting Yellowstone’s successes to other parks, both nationally and internationally.

Additionally, he remains active in the Dept. of Energy’s Clean Cities Program.

For more information, call 573-635-3893.

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