Sister companies Pacific Ag Solutions and Pacific PowerStock have merged to become PacificAg. According to the company, the merger creates the largest agricultural residue and hay harvesting business in the U.S. with operations in seven states and the largest fleet of biomass harvesting equipment in the country. “We have always served two important markets: demand for forage crops for livestock …
Turning Used Cooking Oil into Biodiesel Feedstock
We’ve talked a lot here about turning used cooking oil into biodiesel. But the process is a bit more involved than using virgin oils, such as soybean oil. This story from the Roanoke, Virginia Times tells how two brothers, Tony and Daryl Hubbard who have set up shop filtering and processing the used cooking oil into something that can be …
New Algae-to-Biofuels Photobioreactor Designed
Researchers at a university in Spain believe they have a new photobioreactor that will make it easier to turn algae into biofuels. The University of Alicante announced a patent on the new device: The Research Group in Polymer Processing and Pyrolysis at the University of Alicante is the team that has designed and developed this device, consisting of a photobioreactor, …
Filling Up? Ethanol Will Save You Money
This Memorial Day, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is reminding drivers that ethanol can help save money at the pump. As national gas prices continue to rise, the national average today is $3.66 according to GasBuddy.com. For drivers living on the coasts, it’s not uncommon to see high gas prices. Yet the oddity this year is that the highest prices …
Needed: Summer Gas Loan
It’s that time of year when families hop in the car and begin summer vacations. It’s also the time of year when gas prices jump up and the cash in wallets jumps out. When I filled up my tank yesterday, I thought I might have to go the bank and take out a “summer gas loan” to help pay for …
Biodiesel Investor Donates $1 Mil to OK Tornado Relief
An investor in a biodiesel operation in Nebraska is donating $1 million to Oklahoma tornado relief. Koch Industries, Inc. made the donation to support relief efforts for the devastated the cities of Moore and Shawnee, and other affected areas of the state: Half of that amount will be given to the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund established by Governor Mary …
New Solutions for Electric Vehicles
As gas prices continue to jump up at the pump, the future of electric vehicles is looking bright. The Volvo Group is working on improving electric vehicles and looking for more solutions for vehicles to operate on renewable energy. The company has proposed a future where trucks and buses and continuously supplied with electric power but without batteries. Rather, power lines …
Ethanol Improving While Oil Gets Worse
The House and Energy Commerce Committee has released its third white paper on the Renewable Fuel Standard, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Impacts.” Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Brian Jennings, responded with written comments that included but were not limited to feedback on the RFS role on the environment, agricultural sustainability and tailpipe emissions. “…petroleum …
Group to Take Over Nebraska Biodiesel Plant
A Nebraska biodiesel plant is being taken over by a group that includes a Japanese investor. Benefuel Inc., with shares held by Tokyo-based conglomerate ITOCHU Corp., and Flint Hills Resources Renewables, LLC, owned by Koch Industries, have inked an agreement to develop biodiesel refineries in using Benefuel’s patented ENSEL® refining technology: The joint venture, named Duonix, LLC, is actively developing …
Iowa Gets Aggressive on Blend Wall
The Iowa Legislature has passed H.F. 640 that supports fuel choice for Iowa’s fuel retailers and consumers. The legislation protects retailers from Big Oil efforts to restrict competition by guaranteeing them the right to offer ethanol and biodiesel blends of their choice including E15, E85 and B20. “This legislation represents a solid step forward for higher ethanol blends, consumer choice, …