Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have developed a new strain of yeast that could cut the costs of cellulosic ethanol production. This Agricultural Research Service (ARS) news release says the work is being done at the agency’s National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Ill. ARS molecular biologist Zonglin Lewis Liu and his colleagues determined that this …
New Mandate to Boost Biodiesel in Canada
The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) welcomed the proposal of a new renewable diesel mandate in Ontario. The measure would be based on fuel percentage and carbon intensity and replaces the current biodiesel tax exemption for all diesel sold in the province. It’s also expected to boost biodiesel production in Ontario. “These consultations are a step in the right direction …
REG Plans to Buy Soy Energy 30 MGPY Biodiesel Plant
The nation’s largest biodiesel maker is going to get a bit bigger. Ames, Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) announced it is buying Mason City, Iowa’s Soy Energy and its 30-million gallon per year capacity biodiesel plant for $11 million in cash and the issuance of a $5.6 million promissory note to Soy Energy. This company news release says the plant …
Air Force Gets Virent Bio-based Jet Fuel for Testing
Wisconsin-based Virent has delivered the first 100 gallons of its bio-based jet fuel to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for testing. This company news release says it will be validated against the standards required for qualification and approval of new aviation turbine fuels established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM): Dr. Tim Edwards of the …
Brennan to Head Farm Foundation’s Development
Our friends at Farm Foundation, a group that has work in agriculture, food systems and rural communities, including biodiesel and ethanol production, has tapped Tim Brennan as their new Director of Development. “We are excited to welcome Tim to the Foundation staff,” says Jay Armstrong of Armstrong Farms, Muscotah, KS, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “This is a …
Rise in Diesel Vehicles Good News for Biodiesel
Registrations for clean diesel cars are up a whopping 24.3 percent in the U.S. from 2010 through 2012, outpacing total car registrations during that same period of just 2.7 percent. The numbers from the Diesel Technology Forum should be good news for biodiesel producers, since those clean diesel cars can burn the green fuel. “This new data of total national …
Biodiesel Giant REG Has Best First Quarter Ever
Renewable Energy Group (REG), the nation’s largest producer of biodiesel, posted its best first quarter ever. The Iowa-based producer of the green fuel announced its financial results for the quarter that ended on March 31, 2013, with the first quarter 2013 adjusted EBITDA at $22.0 million after adjusting for the $57.4 million related to the 2012 retroactive reinstatement of the …
Researcher Honored for Biodiesel Byproduct Innovation
A researcher from India is honored for her work to use a biodiesel byproduct to replace chemicals usually used in biodiesel production. The National Biodiesel Board and the American Cleaning Institute honored Dr. B.L.A. Prabhavathi Devi from the Centre for Lipid Research at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India with the 2013 Glycerine Innovation Award Annual Honor for using …
EIA: February Biodiesel Numbers Up to 68 Mil Gallons
U.S. Energy Information Agency numbers show that U.S. production of biodiesel was 68 million gallons in February 2013, up from January’s figures of 66 million gallons. The report goes on to say nearly three-fourths of that production came from the Midwest. All 110 biodiesel refineries throughout the country have an operating capacity of 2.1 billion gallons per year: Sales – …
Boise Cab Company Looks to Convert Fleet to Biodiesel
Boise, Idaho is certainly famous for its potatoes, and just about everyone’s favorite way to have those spuds are french fried. A local cab company is looking to take advantage of all that leftover cooking oil by turning it into biodiesel to run in its vehicles. KBOI-TV reports that Recab wants the idea to catch on in other cities in …