Movie Review – Gas Hole

Joanna Schroeder

My eyes are still a bit fuzzy from all the reading I did last week so last night in honor of all of those snowed in in the Midwest, I watched a documentary – Gas Hole. As the title indicates, this movie is about America’s dependence on oil. Beginning in the 1970s during the first oil crisis to now, it …

book reviews, Energy

Novozymes & PRAJ Partner on Advanced Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

Novozymes and PRAJ Industries Ltd have signed a contract to collaborate on the development of advanced biofuels. Together the two companies will optimize the enzymatic hydrolysis processes and use of enzymes in the production of advanced biofuels. The two companies have a history or working together and for several years have been focusing on conventional biofuels. According to Novozymes, India …

biofuels, Company Announcement, News

World Biofuels Reduced Global GHGs 123.5M Tons

Joanna Schroeder

A new study shows that world biofuels production in 2009 has reduced GHG emissions by 123.5 million tons. The figure represents an average reduction of 57 percent compared to the emissions that would have occurred from the production and use of equal quantities of petroleum fuels. The report was prepared by (S&T)² Consultants Inc. Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the Global …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, global warming

Biodiesel Giant Awards Scholarship

John Davis

The nation’s biggest biodiesel is making a student’s Christmas a bit greener. HERO BX has awarded Erie, Pa. native Katherine Tarr, a $1,000 scholarship. This company press release says the award was given in conjunction with the Erie movie premier of the Sundance Film Festival award winning film, FUEL: “I’m really grateful for the scholarship,” said Tarr, who will graduate …

Biodiesel

World Biofuels Markets Announces Speakers

Joanna Schroeder

It’s never too early to start planning your 2010 conference schedule and here is one to consider: World Biofuels Markets. This is Europe’s largest biofuels conference and so far, 20 of the 50 companies who were named to Biofuels Digest’s “Top 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy” will be participating. Last year several hundred people were on hand and this year …

algae, Biodiesel, biofuels, conferences, Ethanol

Are You Biotech?

Joanna Schroeder

The biotech industry would like you to become ‘biotech’. Biotechnology has been responsible for bringing many things to the world including vaccines, cures for cancers, and better ways to grow our food. It is also responsible for developing the natural enzymes that are being used to help spur the growth in the biofuels industry. Enzymes are better for the environment, …

biofuels, Biotech, conferences, Video

Coalition Seeks Ethanol Blender Pump Tax Fix

Cindy Zimmerman

A broad coalition of companies and organizations have signed on to a letter asking Congressional tax writers to fix a program intended to promote the installation of fuel pumps that dispense mid- and high-level ethanol blends. Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis sent the letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and …

Ethanol, Growth Energy

11 Good’s G2 Diesel Plant Opens

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new report by the National Biodiesel Board that studies the positive effect of the tax credit, “The ailing U.S. biodiesel industry is producing at 15% of its potential capacity.” It argues that if the federal government does not extend the tax credit, set to expire on Dec. 31, 2009, the entire industry could “cease altogether.” This year, …

Biodiesel, Company Announcement, News

Ethanol Industry Leader Honored by ASTM

Cindy Zimmerman

ASTM International has honored a long time ethanol industry expert with its Award of Excellence. Robert Reynolds of Downstream Alternatives received the award for his “outstanding and dedicated contributions to fuel standards development and as a consensus builder within ASTM between ethanol and petroleum interests.” Reynolds, pictured here at the 2007 National Ethanol Conference, was a founding member of the …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA