Cellulosic ethanol targets were reduced while biodiesel was increased under the latest standards proposed by the federal government for the Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed the 2012 percentage standards for four fuel categories under the RFS2 based on the annual renewable fuel volume targets. EPA once again lowered the target for cellulosic …
NBB Study Shows Biodiesel’s Benefits
According to a new study released today by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), the U.S. biodiesel industry will grow to support more than 74,000 jobs throughout the economy by 2015. These jobs will create nearly $4 billion in household income and generate almost $1.6 billion in local, state and federal tax revenues. The study was conducted by Cardno ENTRIX and …
UPS Begins Using Biodiesel at U.S. Hub
UPS is now using biodiesel blends at its Louisville, Kentucky hub. The company recently installed a biodiesel fuel tank and fueling station at its Worldport facility. This will enable fuel operators to blend specific percentages of biodiesel starting from a B5 blend (5% biodiesel, 95% diesel) up to B20. Biodiesel blends of up to B20 can be used in any …
Bullish on Biodiesel
Biodiesel is back, but it needs the tax credit to keep it going. At the 4th International Biomass Conference and Expo, Joe Jobe with the National Biodiesel Board, said they are very optimistic about the state of the industry right now. “Our plants are coming back on line and we’re very bullish,” Jobe said. “We believe that we’re going to …
Iowa State to Run Buses on Waste Grease
As a graduate of Iowa State University (ISU), I couldn’t pass up this story. Several students are launching a project to recycle used vegetable oil from campus cafeterias into biodiesel. The fuel will then power campus buses, known as CyRide. One of the drivers of this project is Bernardo de Campo, a co-chair of the organization Next Generation Scientists for …
Biomass Industry Execs Discuss Future
All energy of the bio variety – biomass, biogas, biodiesel and biofuels – were represented at the 4th International Biomass Conference and Expo on Monday during a panel featuring executives of seven different industry organizations. Moderator Tom Bryan, Vice President of BBI International, asked the panel was what the top priorities for their organizations are this year. “Just getting parity …
Biomass Conference Kicks Off in St. Louis
The International Biomass Conference is being held this week at the America’s Center in St. Louis. Domestic Fuel will be there Tuesday morning for the plenary session that starts with a keynote address from Dr. Richard Newell, Administrator, U.S. Energy Information Administration, who recently testified during a Senate Ag Committee Hearing on high gas prices and the role agriculture may …
NBB: For Earth Day, Biodiesel Friendly Destinations
As we sit on the eve of Earth Day (Friday, April 22, 2011), our friends at the National Biodiesel Board have pointed out several tourist destinations that are friendly to the environment by using the green fuel biodiesel: “Green tourism is more popular than ever, and biodiesel’s ease-of-use and greenhouse gas reductions have made it a big part of that …
NBB Protests EU Extension of Tariffs on US Biodiesel
European Union members have voted to extend current tariffs on U.S. biodiesel, and that violates the group’s own laws, according to the National Biodiesel Board. This Reuters article posted on ForexPros.com says EU officials accuse U.S. exporters of smuggling biodiesel through Canada to avoid tariffs imposed since 2009: “We think this would be a bad decision that runs directly counter …
Petroleum, not Biodiesel, Confirmed as Problem with Bioheat
As I reported to you back on March 17th, it looks like a bad batch of petroleum, not the biodiesel, was the real culprit with some recent problems with bioheat (a mix of biodiesel and home heating oil) in the Northeastern United States. This blog post from Biodiesel Magazine says testing has confirmed the petroleum’s role: Paul Nazzaro, petroleum liaison …