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Green Power Generators is helping the entertainment industry lessen its carbon footprint. GPG is already known for its biodiesel-fueled power generators. According to this story posted on on BusinessWire.com, the company has come up with the next generation of green fuel power:

“We’re very excited to be able to provide the entertainment industry with the only truly eco-friendly energy outsourcing option available today,” explained Tomer DeVito, co-founder of GPG and a television commercial and music video producer. “Generators are the biggest polluters on sets, at concerts and events, and we wanted to change that. We hope to pioneer a change in the way we do things in Hollywood, and beyond. We have already been embraced by several environmental non-profits who will help us encourage all large scale productions to use clean burning fuel.”

Adds Alton Butler, co-founder of GPG and president of Line 204 Studios, GPG’s parent company: “This is a real breakthrough in a business world that is growing increasingly concerned about the environment. The industry standard tier-2 diesel engines are not qualified to burn biodiesel. The available industry standard diesel-engine generators can burn only up to 5% bio-diesel (B5) – if you burn a higher percentage you risk losing your warranty. Currently productions don’t have an option for burning cleaner fuels. GPGs are specially designed to burn the cleanest biodiesel fuels possible”.

A recent report pegs the movie industry as the second-biggest polluter in California. GPG’s new line of generators burn cleaner and are quiet enough to use on a movie set.

The Iowa Soybean Association will be using some of its checkoff dolars to form the Iowa Biodiesel Board… with the obvious mission of promoting Iowa’s biodiesel industry.

This story in the Des Moines (IA) Register quotes Randy Olson, executive director of the organization as saying the board was created by demand from “the entire biodiesel chain”:

Issues facing the biodiesel industry include the high price for soy oil, the primary feedstock for biodiesel plants in Iowa, because of fewer acres planted to soybeans this year. Farmers are growing more corn to supply the demand for ethanol.

Like its relative, the ethanol industry, the biodiesel industry is dependent on government subsidies to remain economically viable and faces an uncertain future for potential investors.

But there could be some rivalry ahead from another group that says it already represents Iowa’s biodiesel producers:

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association also has biodiesel producers as members, including those on the biodiesel board.

“We’re going to continue to represent biodiesel and ethanol producers,” Shaw said. “I have no idea what (the Iowa Biodiesel Board) has in mind.”

Daniel Oh, the CEO of Renewable Energy Group, will chair the new board.

By the way, The Iowa Soybean Association and the Renewable Energy Group have just announced they will jointly sponsor the Soy Biodiesel 225 race on September 22nd at the Iowa Speedway in Newton.

A report from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. says rising crude oil prices, and much of the world’s desire to find alternatives to fossil-based fuels, will push world biodiesel sales to 4.7 billion gallons a year by 2010.

This story posted on PRWeb.com says the rise of biofuels, including biodiesel and ethanol, are being driven by the need to replace the finite oil supply and the economic benefits the fuels produce for local communities:

World Biodiesel market is forecast to reach in excess of 4.7 billion gallons by 2010 with a high CAGR of 33.79% over the 2000-2010 analysis period. Though Europe, with a share estimated at 84.16% in 2006, constitutes the largest market, and will continue to do so for the coming years, major growth is expected to emanate from the United States that is projected to maintain a CAGR of 74.53% over 2000-2010.

Automobile Applications market for biodiesel, with an estimated share of 55.73% in 2006 and a CAGR of 33.88% over 2000-2010, constitutes the largest as well as the fastest growing end use application. Other applications independently analyzed include Mining Applications market and Marine Applications market. Both these applications are also expected to register CAGRs in excess of 33% over the aforementioned period.

The report goes on to say that government incentives and mandatory standards are helping drive the increase as well.

Tomorrow morning, Wednesday, July 18th between 8 and noon, Kum & Go gas stations in 17 locations in Iowa will hold “Biodiesel Appreciation Day”… offering B2 biodiesel for 10 cents a gallon off the regular price.

This article from EarthTimes.org says it is the biggest biodiesel promotion in the Upper Midwest and has gained the praise of politicians, environmentalists, and some folks concerned about your breathing: the American Lung Association:

“While ethanol makes a lot of headlines, especially here in Iowa, biodiesel has become the sleeping giant of biofuels,” said Jessica Zopf, environmental health coordinator for the American Lung Association of Iowa. “Iowa produces 225 million gallons of cleaner-burning biodiesel a year, which can significantly reduce harmful tailpipe emissions when used in higher concentrations. Buying a two percent blend biodiesel may be a small step, but it is a vital beginning on a path toward cleaner air, greener fuels and less dependence on petroleum.”

Here’s a list of the stations participating:

* 2801 E. 13th, Ames * 1950 Princeton Drive, Grimes * 4510 Mortensen Road, Ames * 715 Lang Creek Avenue, Grinnell * 2108 Isaac Newton Drive, Ames * 1116 E. Nevada St., Marshalltown * 1920 White Birch, Ankeny * 1453 Co. Highway G76, New Virginia * 1825 N. Ankeny Road, Ankeny * 5970 Morning Star Court, Pleasant Hill * 101 E. Highway 92, Bevington * 209 E. Main St., St. Charles * 1725 NW 86th Street, Clive * 4585 156th St., Urbandale * 3400 SE 14th Street, Des Moines * 5308 University, West Des Moines * 801 N. 1st, Grimes