To maintain the integrity of government incentives for biodiesel, the feds are cracking down on defrauders. This news release from the U.S. Department of Justice says four individuals have been sentenced for their part in the $23 million scheme. Dean Daniels, 52, Richard Smith, 57, Brenda Daniels, 45 and William Bradley, 58, all of Florida, pleaded guilty and were sentenced …
Olleco Acquisition Expands Biodiesel Abilities
UK-based Olleco has acquired another company that also converts used cooking oil and food waste into biodiesel. This company news release says it bought Convert2Green Ltd. Bringing together Convert2Green and Olleco increases our number of depots to 17 across the UK and enables us to improve efficiencies and coverage to enhance the used cooking oil collection service offered to our …
Michigan State IDs Water Usage by Biomass Crops
Researchers at Michigan State University have identified the amount of water used by some key biomass crops. This article from the school says the study, titled, “Comparative water use by maize, perennial crops, restored prairie and poplar trees in the U.S. Midwest,” recently published by Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), lead authored by Michigan State University professor Steve Hamilton, …
USDA Offers Incentives for Biomass for Energy
Enrollment is underway for farmers and forest landowners to get financial assistance for growing new sources of biomass for energy or biobased products. This U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) news release says the money comes from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). Biomass energy facilities or groups of producers may submit proposals for new BCAP project areas. Proposals will be accepted …
Biomass to Grow in Biofuels & Other Sectors
Right now, most producers of power from biomass are struggling to become cost competitive compared to non-renewable resources including coal and natural gas. But that could soon change. A new analysis by Taiyou Research says biomass energy production, as well as bioproduct production, will grow, thanks to benefits from national level programs, energy efficiency incentives, and financial incentives targeting the …
Brazil Sets Record for Ethanol Consumption
Brazil hit a record high in ethanol consumption in July. The country’s ethanol industry group, the Union of Sugar Cane Industry Association (UNICA), says Brazilians used 1.55 billion liters, or about 400 million gallons, breaking a previous record of 1.51 billion liters in December 2009. The national demand for light fuels increased 3.4% compared with July 2014 and 2.75% as …
POET Shows Economic Impact of Its Ethanol
Ethanol made by POET is big in U.S. economic growth, cutting dependence on foreign oil, and reducing greenhouse gases. The South Dakota-based ethanol maker has released its first-ever economic impact study that shows the company made significant contributions, including: – Generating a total of $13.5 billion in sales for U.S. businesses; – Adding $5.4 billion in national gross domestic product; …
Ethanol-Ready Dispensers Offered at 0% Interest
Fuel retailers will have an easier path to being able to offer ethanol. Patriot Capital Corporation and Protec Fuel have teamed up to offer 0 percent financing for retailers who install dispensing equipment for E15, E85 and higher ethanol fuel blends. The rate – available on terms of up to 60 months – is available to qualified retailers who install …
College Works on Bio-Inspired Fuel Cell
Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology are working on developing fuel cells made from natural, biological sources. This article from the school says Dr. Umit Koylu, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, has received a six-month $50,000 Innovation Corps Teams (I Corps) Program grant from the National Science Foundation to accelerate tech-transfer and explore commercialization of a …
EPA’s Ethanol Rules Pollutes Air Equal to 1 Mil Cars
The government’s proposal to cut the amount of ethanol to be blended into the nation’s fuel supply would pollute the air equivalent to one million more vehicles on the road. The Energy Resources Center (ERC) at the University of Illinois at Chicago conducted the analysis on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed ethanol blending rules. The findings come in the …