Just in case you forgot (fat chance of that!), the federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax incentive has not been renewed after expiring at the end of 2009. And an estimated 23,000 biodiesel workers (and counting) have been laid off nationwide. The latest victims are workers at a biodiesel plant once touted as the largest in New England. This Times Argus article …
Sapphire VP: Feds Inadequate in Algae-Biofuels Funding
While there’s been lots of talk lately about some of the private investment in algae-biofuels operations, one company official says the feds aren’t doing their part to support the green fuels. Just recently, Sapphire Energy benefited from $105 million in Department of Energy and Agriculture grants … the largest federal government award for algae ever given. But the Voice of …
Chicago School Districts to Make Wind Power & Money
Three school districts in the Chicago area plan not only to make all the power they need at a new wind farm, but they’ll also net an extra $3 million in the process. UPI reports that the Keeneyville School District 20, Carpentersville’s Community Unit School District 300 and Prospect Heights School District 23 will be getting all of their energy …
Commission In Calif. Considers Funds for Biodiesel Plant
Commissioners in Santa Rosa County, California are considering whether to use the county’s name to help back bonds for a proposed biodiesel plant. Biofuels Digest reports the chairman of the commission wants more information before signing off on the Integrated Energy Partners’ proposed biodiesel facility: The facility intends to run year-round using camelina and other crops including cotton seed to …
Biodiesel-Fueled Beetles Give Green Rides in Paradise
Hawaii is already known as a lush, green, tropical paradise, but one rental car company on the islands is turning that green up a notch. This article from BNET.com says the Bio-Beetle company in Maui focuses on biodiesel vehicles and looks to expand into electric vehicles one day: President Shaun Stenshol presides over a 20-car fleet that includes diesel-powered Beetles, …
Utah Field Holds Promise for US Army’s Biodiesel Efforts
A small patch of safflower near the Salt Lake City International Airport has caught the attention of the U.S. Army as part of the military’s efforts to implement more biodiesel into its operations. The Salt Lake Tribune says about 20 acres of the prickly leafed crop, planted as part of Salt Lake County’s urban-farming initiative, could be a feedstock for …
New Incentives Proposed for ND Biodiesel Plants
Some biodiesel plants in North Dakota could be enjoying new operations incentives, if a proposed bill passes that state’s legislature and gains the governor’s signature. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead reports the measure, currently before the state legislature’s Energy Development and Transmission Committee, would give up to $1.5 million in incentives annually: The amount would be determined by multiplying the number …
Navy Looks to 50% Renewables, Marines Want it Locally
The U.S. Navy is looking to have half of its total fuel use come renewable energy sources by 2020, while the Marine Corps wants those sources, particularly the biofuels, to come from sources near its bases. The New York Times reports that Navy Secretary Ray Mabus wants to dramatically cut the Navy and Marine Corps’ dependence on fossil fuels, especially …
Energy Dept. Extends Loan Application Deadline
Renewable energy projects will have a little more time to apply for federal government loan guarantees. Biomass Magazine reports the U.S. Department of Energy has moved the deadline for the July 2009 energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced transmission and distribution technologies solicitations six weeks later to October 5th of this year: The newly-created Round 8, Part I of the …
Who Are the Next Biofuels IPOs?
On the heels of their great story yesterday on the investment in algal-biodiesel players PetroAlgae and Solazyme (not to mention Joanna’s piece on Gevo preparing for a $150 million IPO), our friends over at Biofuels Digest have put together a list of the top 10 most likely next IPOs in the biofuels sector. The list includes many Domestic Fuel regulars, …