Free Biodiesel Chemistry Kits for Teachers

Joanna Schroeder

The Indiana Soybean Alliance is offering high school teachers free Soy Biodiesel Chemistry Kits. The kits were developed by Purdue University researchers in partnership with education professionals with funding from ISA and the Indiana soybean checkoff organization. Indiana science teachers can receive the kit free as part of ISA’s program. The kit was first released in 2005 and is now …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Education, Renewable Energy

Congress Stands Behind Military

Joanna Schroeder

The House and Senate Armed Services Committees finalized the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (NDAA) yesterday and today Congress stood behind the military by passing the Act without including controversial proposals that would have banned the Department of Defense from expanding its use of advanced biofuels. In response to the passage, Jim Greenwood, CEO and president of the Biotechnology …

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, military, Renewable Energy

Give the Gift of Time This Holiday

Joanna Schroeder

Beginning to panic because you haven’t even begun your holiday shopping? Here is a just in time unique idea – give the gift of time with a corn and bamboo watch. I own one and I recommend it. Sprout Watches manufactures a line of eco-friendly watches that contain corn resin and bamboo. The watches come in multiple colors, but I …

corn, Miscellaneous

Consumers Take Action on Global Warming

Joanna Schroeder

A new national survey conducted by Yale finds that in the last 12 months, three of of 10 Americans (32 percent) have given business to a company as a reward for their steps to reduce global warming. Twenty-four percent also say that in the past 12 months, they have punished companies for opposing steps to reduce global warming by not …

Climate Change, Environment, global warming

GROWMARK System to Acquire Meier Oil Products

Joanna Schroeder

GROWMARK has announced it will be acquiring Meier Oil Production and Manito Transit. Both businesses have been family owned since 1936 and consisted of a trucking company, fuel terminal facility in Ashkum and bulk fuel facilities at Kankakee, Pontiac, Sheldon and Champaign, all in Illinois. Kevin Carroll, GROWMARK vice president, Energy, said the acquisition strengthens the GROWMARK System through collaboration …

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol

Iowa Ethanol Production Holds Steady

Joanna Schroeder

Ethanol production in Iowa held steady during 2012 according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). During the year, 41 ethanol plants produced 3.7 billion gallons during 2012, matching 2011 production. This is around 28 percent of total ethanol production in the U.S. for the year. This is the first time since 2002 where production did not increase year to …

biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA, Renewable Energy

EnterSolar Solar Project Completed in Delaware

Joanna Schroeder

EnterSolar has completed a 185 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of Ultrachem Inc.’s corporate headquarters in New Castle, Deleware. Motech panels were used for the solar system that will generate approximately 200,000 kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to supply all the building’s yearly energy needs. The project is participating in the Delaware SREC Pilot Program and …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

European Committee Proposes US Ethanol Tax

Joanna Schroeder

The Antidumping Advisory Committee, composed of representatives from member states of the European Union, has reportedly endorsed a 9.6 percent penalty on U.S. ethanol exports to Europe. In response to the announcement, a joint statement was released by Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association. “This is simply one step in an ongoing process. While the Antidumping Advisory Committee has …

biofuels, Ethanol, Exports, Growth Energy, RFA

Alliance AutoGas Adds to Fueling Network

Joanna Schroeder

Wilsons Fuel Company, based in Canada, has become a partner with Alliance AutoGas. The partnership will bring propane fueling to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador. The two companies will also provide fleet vehicle conversions to propane autogas. “We joined Alliance AutoGas because it is the world’s most reliable program to help fleets switch to autogas,” said …

Propane

BlendStar Completes Construction

Joanna Schroeder

Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE)’s subsidiary BlendStar LLC has completed construction and begun operations at its 96-car unit train terminal in Birmingham, Alabama. BNSF Railway, who will serve the terminal, has a throughput capacity of 300 million gallons ethanol annually. “We are pleased to announce the start-up of operations at the Birmingham terminal, which will provide more efficient distribution of …

biofuels, Ethanol, Renewable Energy