While a new poll from Big Oil tries to paint biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in a bad light, the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy are trying to shine a little truth on the subject. The poll from the American Petroleum Institute (API), aka “Big Oil,” tries to make it look like Americans don’t support the RFS …
Florida Tow Truck Driver Looks to Hook Up Biodiesel
In a sign of the growing trend for more entrepreneurs to go more green and save some green, I ran across this article about a tow truck driver in Florida who wants to run his fleet on biodiesel. This story from the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel tells the tale of Westway Towing owner Craig Goldstein, who also has a side …
The Bull Riding Thrill
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What is your favorite rodeo event?” It looks like the majority of you are most entertained by the bull riding. Maybe it has just that extra thrill to see a cowboy ride such a huge animal! Our poll results: • Bull Riding 48% • Barrel Racing 19% • Bareback Riding 10% • Tie-Down Roping …
New Facility to Turn Ethanol Byproduct into Bio-Resin
A Nebraska-based company has expanded its operation to turn an ethanol byproduct into a bio-based resin additive. Composites World reports Laurel BioComposite LLC held an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for its new 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, which will crank out 7 million pounds annually of its trademarked Bio-Res PE. Tim Bearnes, CEO of Laurel BioComposite, was on hand to …
New GM Trucks to Offer CNG, Biodiesel Options
General Motors is offering some pretty clean options in a couple of its 2015 pickup trucks. This story from NGTNews says the latest Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickup trucks will have compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system options, as well as being able to run on B20 biodiesel. “Because HD customers tailor their trucks to their specific …
NE Corn Board: Calculate Cost Per Mile with E85
Prices at the pump for E85 ethanol are substantially lower than regular gasoline or even other mixes of ethanol. But with the lower price, sometimes you sacrifice mileage. But as this story from Nebraska TV says, the key word is sometimes. As gas prices rise, the cost of E85 has become even more attractive to [flex fuel vehicle] owners despite …
Ethanol Production Down Slightly, Consumption Up
Numbers from the government show ethanol production is down slightly during the first six months of the year, but consumption of the green fuel was up during the same period. Ethanol Producer Magazine reports U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) figures show production at 6.419 billion gallons of ethanol, slightly off from the 6.893 billion gallons for the same period a …
Minnesota Ready for B10 Biodiesel Mandate
Minnesota’s Department of Agriculture says the state is ready for the 10 percent biodiesel mandate for each gallon of diesel sold. This posting from Biodiesel Magazine says the news was welcomed by the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. “Biodiesel has been shown to be great for the environment and the economy,” said George Goblish, MSGA president. “It’s common sense to keep …
Wind Production Tax Credit Part of House Hearing
As lawmakers battle over the budget and Obamacare, the wind production tax credit could also come under fire. This blog posting from the political paper, The Hill, says House Republicans today are taking aim at the credits at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing. “With the federal government currently at a standstill over budget negotiations, it is imperative …
West Coast Offshore Wind Energy Site Evaluated
The federal government is considering leasing an area off the shore of Oregon for a floating wind energy project. This story from North American Windpower says the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will determine the competitive interest in leasing the area for the proposed Principle Power Inc. project. According to BOEM, Principle Power’s proposed WindFloat Pacific Project, which would …