If you’ve been a reader of Domestic Fuel for any amount of time, you know how big of a supporter of biodiesel our friends at New Holland have been. Their efforts and qualities are being noticed around the world as New Holland’s T7070 Auto Command tractor has been tapped as Tractor of the Year at Agritechnica, the world’s largest show …
Propane-Fueled Vans Added to the ROUSH Lineup
ROUSH is expanding its line of propane fueled vehicles with the addition of a line of E-Series vans. ROUSH will offer fuel conversion solutions for both passenger and cargo van applications. The company selected the E-Series because, “Ford has long held a leadership role in the van segment for more than 30 years and fleet managers are familiar with the …
RFA Seeks Fairer Test of Ethanol by UL
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is concerned about testing of the nation’s gasoline pumps currently underway by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) that is using what the group calls “aggressive ethanol” intended to accelerate any potential issues that may arise with the use of higher ethanol blends. According to RFA, this “aggressive ethanol” misrepresents the fuel ethanol found in the market today. …
U.S. Energy Company to Buy Jatropha-based Biodiesel
An American energy company with biodiesel and ethanol operations will be buyng some of its green fuel from down under. The New York Times reports that Valero Energy has signed a five-year deal with Australian biofuel refiner Mission NewEnergy to obtain biodiesel made from jatropha. Valero will also be able to buy a 25 percent stake in Mission: Mission will …
Algae Biodiesel Maker Teams with Japanese
California-based algae biodiesel producer OriginOil Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Research Institute of Tsukuba Bio-Tech (RITB) to develop algae-to-jet fuel technologies. This article from Biomass Magazine says the deal comes on the heels of RITB getting money from the Japan Science and Technology Agency to develop algae-to-jet fuel applications: Headed by Tsukuba University professor emeritus and …
Biodiesel Gets British Columbia to Cut Carbon Tax
A controversial tax imposed on some Canadians will be reduced at the beginning of the new year, thanks to biodiesel. Today’s Trucking.com reports that British Columbia’s carbon tax will drop by 5 percent and planned increases will also be lessened because of renewable fuels: On Jan. 1, 2010 the carbon tax rate on diesel drops from 4.04 cents per litre …
GE Inks Deal to Build U.S.’s Biggest Wind Farm
GE has signed a $1.4 billion deal to deliver more than 300 wind turbines for a 845 megawatt wind farm to be built in Oregon. The Earth2Tech blog says, when built, it would be the largest wind farm in the U.S.: Independent power producer Caithness Energy will develop the wind farm, called Shepherds Flat, and under three power purchase agreements …
Copenhagen Seen as Good for Biodiesel, Ethanol
The Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, which started this week in Denmark, could be good for biodiesel and ethanol. Biodiesel Magazine reports that while not everyone agrees exactly on what the political negotiations will bring, an expected deal … if not a full treaty … outlining a carbon pricing or cap-and-trade system that puts a price on carbon will be a …
Biodiesel Tax Credit Passes House, On to Senate
A crucial tax break for the biodiesel industry has passed the U.S. House but is still a ways from being renewed. The Hill.com reports that the $1-per-gallon tax credit for biodiesel, set to expire in just a few weeks on Dec. 31, won House approval, 241-181, but the $31 billion package still must make it through the U.S. Senate. The …