Detroit might have built its business on the gasoline engine, but biodiesel has gained an important foothold there. This story in the Detroit News says Biodiesel Industries, Inc broke ground on a 20,000 square foot research, development, and production plant… the sixth one the California-based company’s has built in the country and its first one in Michigan: The Detroit facility …
35 MPG SUV
Looking to beat the three-and-half bucks a gallon gasoline sweeping the country… but don’t want to give up the size and security of your SUV? Students at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology have built a sport utility vehicle able to get up to 35 miles a gallon. They’ve put together a biodiesel hybrid electric Chevy Equinox in General Motors’ Challenge X …
Coffee Growers Brew Biodiesel
Known for their beans that start the world’s day, Brazilian coffee growers might soon be known for brewing the fuel that starts your car. According to this story in the Wall Street Journal’s on-line version, tests are being done to see if the beans not suitable for your cup will be good for your tank: The studies, which are being …
Ethanol, Biodiesel, and Milk
An Arizona dairy is looking at expandng its operations into biofuels. Phoenix-based XL Dairy Group is planning to build a dairy/biorefinery at a site about 100 miles west of Phoenix. According to this story in the East Valley Tribune in Phoenix, when finished, the complex will produce 100 million gallons of ethanol, 25 million to 30 million gallons of biodiesel …
DHL Testing Biodiesel
Shipping giant DHL is looking at testing some of its United Kingdom delivery fleet running on 100% biodiesel. According to this story on the Biofuel Review web site, the testing will begin at the end of this month: Bill Bacon, National Account Director from DHL Exel Supply Chain said: “We are committed to being an environmentally responsible business and are …
Students Take Mileage Challenge
As gas prices in Minnesota top $3 a gallon, hundreds of Minnesota middle and high school students are preparing for the Minnesota Supermilage Challenge at the Brainerd International Raceway on May 13-15, an annual contest to see which team of students can build the most fuel efficient vehicles — and prove it on the track. In addition to gasoline-powered vehicles, …
UDOT Growing Own Biodiesel
Drivers along a stretch of Interstate 15 in Utah might be used to seeing biodiesel-powered vehicles, but the same stretch of road is becoming home to the raw materials used to make biodiesel. According to a story in the Salt Lake Tribune, the Utah Department of Transportation has partnered with Utah State University to plant safflower, camelina, canola and perennial …
Big Biodiesel Producer Adds Red Dye to Mix
Houston-based Gulf Hydrocarbon, Inc, the top provider of biodiesel for the petroleum industry, is adding red dye to some of its biodiesel at its terminal in Houston. So why the red dye? The dye red biodiesel is used off-road by construction companies, ranchers, farmers, and standby generators, marine and drilling industries because of its non-taxable incentive provided by the US …
NBB Wants Biodiesel Incentives in Farm Bill
The National Biodiesel Board today called on Congress to put pro-biodiesel provisions in the new Farm Bill, including a Biodiesel Incentive Program and Biodiesel Fuel Education Program. According to an NBB release, making the case for the board and the American Soybean Association in front of the Senate Agriculture Committee was Neil Rich, president and CEO of Riksch BioFuels of …
New Niche Selling Biodiesel Cars
As the demand for greener fuels grows, so has the demand for vehicles that burn the green fuels. And according to this story posted on C|Net.com, a niche for salesman offering biodiesel-powered cars has grown as well: “In 2003, I came out of the closet and became a full-blown car dealer,” said Steve Ahl, a former recycled-lumber salesman who is …