One year earlier than expected, UPS has driven over 1 billion miles using its various alternative fueled fleet. It’s “Rolling Laboratory” included more than 7,200 vehicles ranging from pedal power and electric-assisted bicycles, to electric and hybrid vehicles to natural gas, renewable natural gas, propane and renewable diesel. The “fuel” option is tailored for the geography from dense urban areas …
Al-Corn Clean Fuel Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, Minnesota celebrated its 20th anniversary this week with members of the ethanol industry. The farmer-owned cooperative began operations in 1996 and now produces 50 million gallons of ethanol per year with plans to expand to 120 million gallons per year. “It took courage and energy to create the organization that stands today as Al-Corn Clean …
Better Cold Weather #Biodiesel Performance
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has announced new certified reference material (CRM) for cold filter plugging (CFPP) and cloud point (CP) temperatures of biodiesel. This material helps laboratories accurately establish the lowest temperature at which biodiesel can be used. According to JRC, the CP and CFPP of a fuel are temperatures where upon cooling the first precipitates become …
BioEnergy Bytes
The EPA has submitted an information collection request (ICR), “Cellulosic Production Volume Projections and Efficient Producer Reporting,” to collect information from potential cellulosic biofuel producers to aid in determining the annual volume standards. This ICR includes a questionnaire form to facilitate the collection of this information. EPA would also like to use a data form to collect information from certain …
Mexican #Ethanol Producers Consider Sorghum as Feedstock
A contingency of ethanol producers from Mexico recently visited the U.S. to look at the option of sorghum as an ethanol feedstock as the country’s industry continues to grow following the announcement by Pemex, the country’s state-owned petro company, to blend ethanol into its gas. Hosted by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in partnership with the United Sorghum Checkoff Program …
Will Pursuing #Bioenergy Require Trade-offs?
Will pursuing bioenergy require trade-offs? This question served as the basis from research out of North Carolina State University (NC State) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that finds that choosing how to meet bioenergy goals means making trade-offs about the impact on ecosystems and wildlife. The study primarily focused on the southeastern U.S. but the researchers believe the results …
Funds Available for #Biomass Powered Biorefineries
The USDA is helping biorefineries go even greener. The USDA Rural Business Cooperative Service, a division within the USDA, has allocated funds through the Repowering Assistance Program, to assist renewable fuel facilities convert away from fossil-fuel based heat and/or power to renewable biomass power. Applications are being accepted from July 25, 2016 until October 24, 2016 and only facilities in …
#Corn, Baseball & #RFS- AutoChannel’s Rauch Clues Us in to their Commonality
A recent article published online in Bloomberg Politics by Jennifer A Dlouhy, “As Corn Devours U.S. Prairies, Greens Reconsider Biofuel Mandate,” calls into question the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). She writes, “More than a decade after conservationists helped persuade Congress to require adding corn-based ethanol and other biofuels to gasoline, some groups regret the resulting agricultural runoff in waterways and …
Northern Virginia Now Has E85
Woodbridge, Virginia is the home of a new E85 station (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gas). The Potomac Mills Mobil convenience store is now offering E85, selling it comparably to, or under the price of regular gasoline, as well as other higher blends of ethanol. To celebrate the new ethanol blends, the retail station hosted a car, classic car and …
#ExEx16 Headliner Ag Investment Banker
Ag investment banker Christopher W. Nolan, Sr., with PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance, will be headlining this year’s Export Exchange 2016 (#ExEx16) in Detroit. The event will take place October 24-25 and is hosted by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Nolan is a managing director and co-head of the company’s food, beverage and agribusiness division. He …