MW Consulting
Mathews Webster Consulting, Inc.
122 South Calhoun Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
850-391-7674

Agriculture • Biofuels • Bioenergy • Boating • Marine

Peggy H. Mathews

CEO

850-877-3848
Biography

Steven E. Webster

President

321-693-2370
Biography

We are judged by the company we keep. MW Consulting is well-known for its expertise in government relations, association management and media relations, and for unmatched knowledge of the biofuel, bioenergy, boating and marine industries.

Clients rely on MW’s reputation for integrity, intelligence and innovation to facilitate access to decision- and policy-makers, develop business relationships, raise visibility, and move projects from concept to completion.

MW Consulting is the company you keep.

MW President Speaks at FESC Summit

MW Consulting President Steven Webster spoke at the recent Florida Energy Systems Consortium Summit on "Establishing a Sustainable Feedstock Industry in the Southeast." In an environment dominated by news of misuse of government funds by grant and loan awardees, and the likelihood that Federal and state funding for bioenergy will soon end, he urged government to get out of the business of picking winners and losers, and to focus on gathering and providing information that will help farmers, facility owners and financiers network more efficiently.

MW Develops Businss Plan for Southwest Florida Biodiesel Facility

MW Consulting, on behalf of Florida Fuel Solutions LLC, researched and wrote a detailed business plan in support of the company's efforts to secure equity funding for a 6.6 milion gallon per year biodiesel facility in Palmetto, Florida.

MW Confers With Scott Energy Team

MW Consulting is taking part in Governor Scott's energy initiative, representing biofuel processors, feedstock growers, feedstock crushers and renderers, and organizations working to develop energy-related initiatives in Florida's Panhandle and Space Coast. Peggy Mathews and Steven Webster have met privately with newly designed energy czar Mary Bane, as well as advisors to Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, to develop a road map for increased renewable fuel and energy production in Florida.

MW Files Bill to Lower Cost to Grow and Process Biodiesel in Florida

In the 2011 session, Florida Senate President Pro Temp Mike Bennett filed S 1284, a bill drafted by MW Consulting, to expand Florida renewable crop farming and biofuel processing by reducing or eliminating taxes, bonds and permits curently demanded by the state of Florida. A companion bill is being reviewed by the House Energy Committee.

The key feature of the bill is a provision waiving bonds and taxes on biodiesel made from at least 50 percent (50%) Florida-origin feedstocks, such as yellow grease, camelina oil, or other oilseeds.

The bill sailed through Senate committees, but was not heard in the House. Nonetheless, the bill achieved a key goal: streamlining and improving the process by which the Agriculture Division of Plant Industry reviews and issues permits for biomass planting. Since the bill was filed, DPI has issued letters authorizing growers of camelina and sweet sorghum to proceed without permit review, a substantial savings in time and money.

Energy and fuel stakeholders are encouraged to contact MW to take part in future legislation.

MW Wins $500,000 Energy Commission Grant for Feedstock Farming

MW Consulting wrote a $500,000 Florida grant to farm biofuel and biomass crops in Florida. The grant, which was awarded in late 2010, was funded through a Federal Department of Energy stimulus program administered by the Florida Energy & Climate Commission, and is likely the last monies that will be awarded by the Comission.

MW Resigns From Florida Feedstock Growers Association

Last year, MW Consulting filed the papers to launch the Florida Feedstock Growers Association to promote feedstock agriculture to Florida's farmers.

December 31, 2010, after protracted efforts to develop by-laws, elect officers, hold board meetings, and provide members with financial oversight had failed, MW officrs resigned from the Board, and have demanded that any reference to MW Consulting be removed from the Association website. All board members other than the Chair followed suit and also resigned.

MW Consulting has no relationship with, and in no way endorses the Association.

MW Uses Biomass Crop to Soak Up Deepwater Horizon Oil

MW Consulting and a group of farmers demonstrated how kenaf, a biomass crop, can be used to absorb oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster. MW arranged the demonstration with Florida DEP, US EPA, the Coast Guard and several counties, held on Pensacola Beach July 1, 2010.

MW Principals are growers themselves, with 200 acres of renewable feedstocks under cultivation in Southwest Florida.

Kenaf's oil absorbent qualities were first documented in 1999 by the US Navy. MW located this information when performing due diligence on kenaf's high energy output (7500 BTU / lb).

MW Consulting Forms Marine Construction Lobbying Alliance With CFFW

MW Consulting has formed a strategic partnership with Florida's oldest and largest recreational boating advisory association Citizens For Florida's Waterways, to provide governmental advocacy (lobbying) services to marine construction industry businesses.

The cost is $250 per year.

MW Consulting principals bring more than 40 years of success and experience in the marine construction and boating worlds to the new program, which will ensure that the marine construction industry in Florida will retain vital access to government leaders, and the opportunity to lead and shape legislation and rules that affect their industry and livelihoods.

Click here to read more about this important new capability.
To download an application to join, click here.

Webster Named Biofuels Leadership Advisory Board Chair

MW Consulting President Steven Webster has been named the Chair of Florida Biofuels Association's Leadership Advisory Board, which oversees all FBA operating committees. In this position, he will help organize, prioritize, and achieve key association political, educational and business goals.

Mathews Named Biodiesel Panel Chair

MW Consulting CEO Peggy Mathews has been named the Chair of Florida Biofuels Association's biodiesel committee, charged with organizing support and a strategic plan to develop the biodiesel market in Florida.

MW President Featured Panelist at Farm to Fuel Summit 2009 Seminar

Peggy Mathews was a featured panelist at a special Florida Farm to Fuel Summit 2009 seminar, "Biofuels Strategic Meeting: Moving Biofuels Production into Florida."

Ms Mathews, who was the only registered biodiesel lobbyist working the 2009 Florida Legislative session, offered commentary and insights on legislative initiatives to help spur development of a biofuels industry in Florida.

The seminar was hosted by Florida Biofuels Association, in association with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Office of Energy and Climate Change, and Florida Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.

Mathews Wins $9 Million in Florida Grants for Agri-Source Fuels

Agri-Source Fuels, LLC, is yet again a recipient of a Florida Farm to Fuel and Renewable Energy Technology grant, earning a third grant for $2.5 million in 2009, following $6.5 million in grants in 2008. All three grants were prepared on behalf of Agri-Source by MW Consulting CEO Peggy Mathews.

The $2.5 grant will be used to expand capacity of Agri-Source's Dade City, FL, plant to 60 million gallons per year.

Agri-Source received a letter officially awarding the $2.5 grant on April 14, 2009, from Florida Agriculture Secretary Charles Bronson.

To learn how MW Consulting can assist your company with grants, loans and financing opportunities, click here.

MW Biodiesel Completes Assessment of Available State & Federal Programs for Renewable Fuels

On behalf of client Florida Fuel Solutions (FFS), MW Consulting conducted a comprehensive review of all available State and Federal programs for renewable fuels.

MW Consulting identified state and Federal programs, including several initiatives related to Federal "stimulus" programs. MW Consulting also reviewed four other areas of interest: Federal production incentives; economic development incentives; stimulus-enhanced cost segregation; and RIN monetization and management.

For further information on how MW Consulting can assist your firm by conducting a review of available government programs, click here.

MW Consulting Partnership Turns Glycerin Into Electricity

This is an actual photo of a "blue flame" fueled by glycerin. This exothermic (heat-producing) process is used to power high efficiency micro turbines to generate electricity, creating renewable energy and a new income stream for biodiesel producers.

MW Consulting clients now have direct access to a patented process that uses a plasma reactor to transform waste glycerin into synthetic gas (syngas), which can generate renewable electricity to sell back to the energy grid.

MW Consulting is partnering with Florida Syngas (FS) to install reactors using this patented process at client sites nationside. Through this partnership, MW Consulting clients are in a highly advantageous position to access renewable energy funding recently announced by the USDA.

The plasma reactors can produce energy from any carbonaceous fuel. The resulting fuel qualifies for numerous renewable energy tax credits and other incentives.

MW Consulting recently participated in an FS workshop where key production issues, including financing and integration of the FS product into biodiesel plant operating systems, were addressed.

For further information about recently announced Federal programs and to learn how MW Consulting can assist your firm, click here.