May 27 is the deadline for proposals to be submitted under USDA’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). The program, which is administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides incentives to eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners for the establishment and production of biomass crops for heat, power, bio-based products and biofuels. FSA Acting Administrator Val Dolcini announced the deadline …
Twin Cities Clean City Coalition Top Gas Use Reducer
The U.S. Department of Energy has released a national ranking of Clean Cities programs that have had the most impact in the reduction of gasoline use. At the top of the list is the Saint-Paul-based Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition. The group has been instrumental in a reduction of 135,175,133 cumulative gallons of gas displaced between 2005-2009. The release was …
BIO Releases Policy White Paper
The Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference is underway in Washington, D.C. and more than 400 senior level executives are in attendance to learn more about the trends in the advanced biofuels industry. During the Conference, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) released a new policy white paper that determined the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) provides both stable market support and a pricing …
Iowa State Develops Biodiesel, Ethanol Plant Simulator
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a simulator that allows them to replicate all the functions of biodiesel and ethanol plants. According to this article from the school, the I-BOS (the Interactive Biorefinery Operations Simulator) will help students in Iowa State’s biorenewable resources and technology program learn about biofuel production, as well as helping the biofuel industry train employees: …
Avjet Biotech, NC State Ink Deal for Aviation Biofuels
A company that develops 10-15 million gallon per year refining systems has signed a deal with North Carolina State University to use the school’s technology for producing biofuels from triglycerides (fats) and for producing products from genetically modified marine microalgae. Avjet Biotech, Inc. (ABI), parent company of Red Wolf Refining, will use the technology to make aviation biofuels: “We are …
Causes of Higher Food Prices
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What causes higher food prices?” Most people responding seem to believe it’s a combination of factors – 47%. That’s followed by higher gas/energy costs at 23%, speculators at 18%, ethanol at 9% and weather at 3%. I wonder how the response would compare to an audience for a general news website like Fox or …
“Gashole” Offers Biodiesel as Part of Energy Solution
A new film released this week offers biodiesel as part of the solution for this country’s energy woes. The documentary “Gashole” (gotta love the name!), according to reviews and trailers, sees the green fuel as David taking on the petroleum Goliath. One of the reviews from Variety posted on the film’s website: Conspiracy theorizing, though, is kept to a relative …
Biodiesel Part of Army’s Sustainability Scorecard
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has released its fiscal year 2010 scorecard on sustainability and energy performance, and biodiesel is part of the goals in this scorecard. This Army press release says the service is identifying the best ways to reduce pollution, improve efficiency, and cut costs, and testing the green fuel in the Corps’ floating plant fleet …
USDA & EPA Tour REG Biodiesel Plant in Newton, IA
Renewable Energy Group (REG) executives hosted USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson as well as leaders from the ethanol industry at their REG Newton biorefinery to discuss the role of advanced biofuels in meeting the President’s energy independence goals. Also on hand for the event were representatives from Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) and POET. Both …
Dynamic Solar Completes PA Solar Project
The Philadelphia Water Department now has a 250kW solar system complements of Dynamic Solar, LLC. The solar company partnered with CETCO Contracting Services and Nucero Electric to design, engineer and install the ground mounted solar system. The solar array is located at the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant and is expected to generated, per year, 330,000 killowatt hours of energy. …