Europeans seem to be as keen on alternative fuels as their American counterparts… maybe even more so. This article from the Budapest-based on-line financial journal, Portfolio.hu, says the country is about to open it’s biggest biodiesel operation to date. Öko-Line Hungary Kft. will start production at the country’s largest biodiesel plant near Bábolna (northwest Hungary) in May, with an initial …
State Legislatures Across Country Taking Up Biodiesel
Interesting little thing I noticed over the weekend… a BUNCH of articles about a BUNCH of state legislatures taking up biodiesel measures. Last week, we told you about Missouri’s legislature taking up a biodiesel requirement. My news alerts have clued me in to similar measures in California, Arkansas, Washington state, and Wisconsin (just to cite a few). Of course, this …
Power from Peanuts
The National Peanut Research Lab is looking at how farmers may be able to make their own peanut-based on-farm fuel. Research agronomist Wilson Faircloth says they have spent the past two years field testing different peanut varieties that can be used to make biodiesel. “We are now at the point where we are beginning to build a biodiesel pilot plant …
New York Investors Buy Planned North Dakota Biodiesel Plant
What might be a measure of how successful biodiesel will be? Well, some might argue the number of investors willing to plunk down money in these ventures. Earlier this week, I told you about how Missouri saw a sharp increase in biofuels investors. Now, New York investors are buying a biodiesel plant still just in the planning stages near Minot, …
Better Biodiesel Touts Technology for Biodiesel Plants
Utah-based Better Biodiesel says it has developed technology that will allow biodiesel plants to forego using some of the caustic chemicals now used in biodiesel production and to create a smaller environmental footprint for plants. Anthony Evans, Vice President Investor Relations, says no caustic chemicals means no water used to wash away those chemicals. Better Biodiesel’s proprietary waterless technology significantly …
NIAA to Discuss Impact of Biofuels
There’s been a lot of talk lately about how the increased demand for ethanol and biodiesel will affect farmers and ranchers using the same stocks for feed for their animals. The National Institute of Animal Agriculture plans to make the topic a top priority at its annual meeting, April 2-5 in Sacramento, California. From the group’s press release: “With all …
Poll Shows Support for Government Involvement in Alternative Fuels
A new poll indicates that 85% of American voters think that the government should be involved in the development of alternative fuels. According to a release from the Renewable Fuels Association, the poll was conducted by The Winston Group prior to President Bush’s State of the Union speech. It also found that 84% of voters think that the government should …
Missouri Could Adopt Biodiesel Standard
On the heels of President Bush’s call for more alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, Missouri’s legislature is considering a five percent biodiesel standard at every gas station in the state. The State Senate Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Natural Resources Committee has heard testimony on a bill that would require all diesel sold in Missouri to have at least …
NextGen Fuels Completes Small Biodiesel System
The parent company for NextGen Fuels, GS Agrifuels, has announced the completion its first 10-million gallon a year biodiesel production system. The system is expected to benefit small-scale operators. This from the company’s press release: “We believe that there is a robust and mostly untapped domestic and international market for development of small-scale biodiesel production facilities,” said Tom Scozzafava, GS …
China Stepping up Biofuels Development
As China’s economy continues to grow, the country’s consumption of oil grows with it. And with the Chinese recognizing there aren’t unlimited resources of petroleum out there, they seem to be embracing more biofuels… in particular biodiesel. Renewable Energy Access has reprinted a story talking about the development of a new rapeseed, which the Ministry of Agriculture reports, has an …