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 …
Bobby Rahal Speech at National Press Club
I think Bobby Rahal was a big hit today at the National Press Club. There were a lot of other people from the ethanol industry on the head table but none of them got to speak or answer questions. Everyone was just excited to listen to this great competitor. Near the end of the hour session we did get to …
Web Site Promotes Oil from Algae
Put together oil and algae and what do you get? Oilgae! It’s not just a clever wordplay, some researchers are getting oil from algae. A new web site, Oilgae.com, is promoting those new technologies that could prove to be a very viable feedstock for biodiesel: While a number of bio-feedstock are currently being experimented for biodiesel production, algae have emerged …
Possible US-Europe Biodiesel Trade War Brewing
European biodiesel makers are crying foul over U.S. subsidies to biodiesel exporters. According to this story posted on WisconsinAgConnection.com, the folks from across the pond are talking about a World Trade Organization investigation and retaliatory tariffs being put on U.S. biodiesel sent to Europe. According to European media reports, the subsidy allows U.S. exporters to undercut European rivals by at …
Biodiesel Boat Abandons Record Chase
A 100% biodiesel-fueled boat has had to give up its quest to break a world record for racing around the world. According to this story posted on C/Net.com, the captain of the Earthrace says it would be impossible to break the 75-day record set in 1998 by a group of British sailors in a regular diesel boat: TV 3 in …
Australian Ethanol Investment
International investment and advisory firm Babcock & Brown has finalized plans to acquire Iroquois Bio-Energy Company of Rensselaer, Indiana. This is the Australian firm’s fourth investment in the US ethanol industry. In January 2006, Babcock & Brown Environmental Investments completed the acquisition of Diversified Energy Company, whose primary asset is a 25 mgpy facility in Morris, Minnesota. Babcock & Brown …
Bioenergy and Rural Development
Top international experts meeting in Rome last week agreed that bioenergy could be a positive force for rural development According to a news release from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) it was the first time that experts in bioenergy, food security and the environment came together to discuss the environmental and food security impact of the rapidly-expanding bioenergy industry. …
First 100% Biodiesel Tractors in UK
Four New Holland tractors are the first tractors that run on 100% biodiesel to arrive in the United Kingdom to work at Cornwall’s Eden Project, “an environmentally-focused attraction all about man’s relationship with plants and the environment.” According to this story in the Farmers Guardian, not only will the tractors be good for the environment, they’ll be good for the …
Manitoba Considers Biodiesel Mandate
The Canadian province of Manitoba is considering legislation that would ensure biodiesel quality sold in the province and could eventually mandate a minimum standard. Check out this story on the pending Biofuels Amendment Act on TruckNews.com: “We are excited about the potential the biofuels industry holds for Manitoba,” said Jim Rondeau, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines. “This new …
Chavez Shifts Gears on Ethanol
Venezuela President Hugo Chavez has appeared to shift his stance on ethanol this week, at least as it relates to Brazil. The Associated Press reports that Chavez is only opposed to U.S. plans to increase production of ethanol made from corn. “We aren’t against biofuels,” Chavez said at a two-day South American energy summit that ended Tuesday. “In fact we …