Biofuels backers say a U.S. House Science Committee had very little to do with science in regards to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Congressional committee met on the 10th anniversary of the RFS, and Tom Buis, co-chair of Growth Energy, said the committee has a history of misrepresenting biofuels, relying on misinformation and outright lies to cast a negative …
Indy Zoo Cages Oil Beast with Biodiesel
Petroleum can be a real beast for consumers and the environment, but a place that knows a bit about keeping wild beasts in check is using biodiesel to cage its oil usage. This story from WFYI says the Indianapolis Zoo is turning leftover cooking oil into the green fuel. At the Zoo’s café, Manager Pat Cummings drops an order of …
Vertimass Gets US Gov’t OK for Biofuel Tech
A California company received U.S. government approval for its technology that will be able to blend more biofuels with gasoline, diesel and jet fuels. This news release from Vertimass says the technology validation allows the company to get a new award of $2 million by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technology Office. Vertimass technology was originated at Oak Ridge …
Ethanol Producer Green Plains to Buy Texas Refinery
Nebraska-based ethanol producer Green Plains says it will buy an ethanol refinery in Texas owned by fuel retailer Murphy USA. This news release from Green Plains says it will pay Hereford Renewable Energy, LLC approximately $93.8 million, including $78.5 million for the ethanol production facility with the balance for working capital. The facility is a Lurgi-designed, ICM-modified ethanol plant with …
French Biodiesel Maker Expands Output
A French biodiesel maker is expanding its production capacity to help meet increased blending requirements in the European country. Reuters reports Avril, the European Union’s largest maker of biodiesel, has opened a 100,000-tonne-per-year refinery on France’s Mediterranean coast. The facility at Sete, where Avril’s Saipol oilseed processing and refining branch already has a plant, will allow the group to raise …
NBB: Survey Supports Increased Biodiesel Volumes
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) says a national survey shows that America should have more biodiesel in its fuel mix. In a news release by the group, NBB pointed out the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) enjoys 80 percent support by voters, something the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should keep in mind as it sits one month away from releasing a …
Biodiesel Technology Makes Brewery Greener
A biodiesel technology company has teamed up with one of the world’s biggest makers of beer to open the world’s first major green brewery. This news release from BDI – BioEnergy International says the company teamed up with Brau Union Österreich, part of the international Heineken family, to open the BDI spent-grain fermentation plant that will generate energy from residual …
Iowa Biodiesel Producers Push for Tax Incentive
Iowa biodiesel producers are pushing for a renewal of the federal $1-per-gallon biodiesel tax incentive. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) sent a letter to all members of the Iowa Congressional delegation urging them to pass a multi-year biodiesel tax incentive. “While facing more than a century of uninterrupted subsidies for petroleum, the biodiesel tax incentive has been allowed to …
Biodiesel Board’s Steckel Honored by Clean Cities
A leader from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has been recognized by a group working in public-private partnership to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. The Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition on Wednesday honored National Biodiesel Board Vice President Anne Steckel with its Initiative of the Year Award for her work promoting biodiesel on the local and national …
Coal-fired Plant in MO Soon to Burn Biomass
A Central Missouri coal-burning power plant that’s been around for more than 100 years will soon get new life using biomass as its fuel. This story from KOMU-TV says Columbia Water and Light’s Municipal Power Plant burned its last coal on Sept. 22 and is undergoing changes to burn the cleaner biomass. [Columbia Water and Light spokesperson Connie] Kacprowicz said …