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A new tradition at the 150-year-old Indiana State Fair has started this year as biodiesel powers the fair’s midway.

This story from Gary Truitt’s Hoosier Ag Today web site says they’re even making sure it’s biodiesel produced from Indiana soybeans:

“The Indiana State Fair is a showcase of the state’s agriculture industry, so it’s fitting that Hoosier-grown soybeans are helping to fuel one of the most recognizable parts of the fair – the Midway,” said Chris Novak, Executive Director of the Indiana Soybean Alliance. “A 20-percent blend of soy biodiesel (B20) has been fueling the tractor shuttles at the fair for almost 10 years, so we are thrilled that the fair’s most exciting rides will now be running on biodiesel as well.”

The article goes on to say that nine generators run on a 5 percent biodiesel blend will power about 45 rides at this year’s Indiana State Fair.

At the end of May, the Earthrace… a biodiesel-powered speed boat… had to abandon its record-breaking attempt to circumnavigate the globe. At the time, they were down… but not out!

Captain Peter Bethune says he should be ready for another attempt next March. This story posted on Grainnet.com says, this time, they’ll be better prepared:

The 78-foot boat is currently on a tour of European ports where it is attending boat shows and sailing festivals.

“If we do a second attempt, we will ensure we get someone there a month in advance to determine the fuel quality, and to have it waiting on the dock.”

To set the record, the Earthrace will have to cover 24,000 miles of the ocean in 75 days.

You can read more about the Earthrace by visiting its web site: www.earthrace.net.

A biodiesel plant that will add 30 percent to the U.S. biodiesel production capacity when it opens will start doing just that when the Imperium Renewables plant at Gray’s Harbor in Washington state starts production on Wednesday.

This article in the Kitsap Sun says the 100-million-gallon-a-year refinery will make biodiesel from canola and soy oils, as well as other crops:

“Obviously we think it’s the wave of the future,” said Martin Tobias, CEO of Seattle-based Imperium Renewables. “We are adding roughly 30 percent to the United States capacity in one fell swoop.”

Last year, national biodiesel production was 250 million gallons, more than triple the production just the year before, according to the Missouri-based National Biodiesel Board. By the end of the year, that number is expected to climb to between 300 million and 350 million gallons.

The refinery has been much-anticipated by the local area that has been suffering the last couple of years when a Weyerhaeuser sawmill closed and nearly 100 people lost their jobs.

We at Domestic Fuel have been anticipating the opening of the plant for sometime as well. A quick search of our posts shows at least a dozen stories we’ve done this year on the progress on the West Coast behemoth of a biodiesel refinery.

They’re not exactly the most environmentally-friendly mechanisms out there, but recreational vehicles… RVs… are moving to greener fuels.

This article in the Bend (Oregon) Bulletin says while hybrid motors may not be coming up, biodiesel is certainly gaining popularity:

Ty Adams, a 28-year-old freelance journalist and green RV activist from Bozeman, Mont., has spent the past nine months on the road. He’s hit 24 states and put 18,000 miles on his multicolored Monaco, also known as the bioTrekker.

“Every RVer I’ve met is concerned about the future and the environment,” Adams said. “They are touring state parks and getting into nature and places that are enhanced by a pristine environment, so they are very aware.”

Adams says while only about five percent of RVers use biodiesel, 40 percent say they have heard of it. He also believes that manufacturers need to be convinced as well.

Check out Adams’ blog at biotrekker.blogspot.com/.