A measure that would require all diesel heating oil in Connecticut to contain a biodiesel blend by next summer has cleared that state’s legislature and is headed to the governor’s desk. Biodiesel Magazine reports the measure will step up the amount of biodiesel, starting at 2 percent on July 1, 2011: In 2012, the mandate increases to B5; in 2015, …
Jobe Calls for Biodiesel Tax Credit Renewal at AFVI
The head of the nation’s biggest biodiesel lobbying group is renewing his call for Washington to retroactively reinstate the federal biodiesel tax incentive … and it’s unacceptable how long the industry and country has had to go with the credit. Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board told energy leaders at the Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Institute national conference …
Lufthansa to Fly on Biofuels by 2011
German airline Lufthansa is looking to start flying some of their jets on a mix of biofuel within the next couple of years. This story from Reuters says it’s a move to save money and cut greenhouse gas emissions: Lufthansa rival KLM, part of Franco-Dutch Air France, last year became the first airline to test biofuel in a passenger airplane, …
Canadian Utility Tests Biodiesel in Extreme Cold
A Canadian power company is funding testing of biodiesel in extreme cold condiitons to see if the green fuel will perform and how well it will hold up to long-term storage under those conditions. This press release from Manitoba Hydro says the utility has partnered with Natural Resources Canada’s National Renewable Diesel Demonstration Initiative (NRDDI) in the $340,000 project testing …
Biodiesel Plant Layoffs Prompt Renewed Call for Action
Another day, more jobs lost due to Congress’ inaction on renewing the $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel tax credit. This time, it’s the Maple River Energy biodiesel plant near Galva, Iowa. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association says 12 of the facility’s 18 employees are being laid off until the biodiesel blenders credit is reinstated: Delayne Johnson, General Manager of Maple River Energy, …
Congratulations! It’s a Biodiesel!
The same technology that lets expectant moms and dads know whether it’s a boy or girl in the womb could help biodiesel makers deliver their product quicker. Discovery News reports that researchers at the University of Missouri’s Agricultural Engineering department are using ultrasounds to speed up the production process from several hours to just a few minutes: [Assistant Professor Bulent] …
Wind Farms Getting Boost from Google
Google is getting into the wind energy business. North American Windpower says the Internet giant is putting more than $38 million into two North Dakota NextEra Energy Resources wind farms that generate about 169 megawatts of energy … Google’s first direct investment in a utility-scale renewable energy project: “Smart capital includes not only these early-stage company investments, but also dedicated …
ASA: Soybeans Can Provide Food, Fuel & Jobs
The American Soybean Association says soybeans can provide the food this country needs, while also producing an important fuel in the form of biodiesel. And that means more jobs. Southeast Farm Press reports, in comments to the National Research Council’s Committee on Economic and Environmental Impacts of Increasing Biofuels Production, the ASA says biodiesel made from soybean oil can play …
Is Glycerin from Biodiesel Kosher?
An interesting issue has come up with a by-product of biodiesel and whether it meets strict Jewish dietary laws. Glycerin, made plentiful from what used to be ramped-up biodiesel production, is now being used in a variety of foods. Sweet, natural glycerin is being used in many food products. And Autobloggreen says the fact that the glycerin could be coming …
EPA, USDA Announce Biogas Program
Two federal agencies are teaming up to capture the methane U.S. farms produce and turn that greenhouse gas into fuel. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture have a new interagency agreement that will promote the biogas as a renewable energy source, while cutting those gas emissions from livestock operations. This EPA press release says the agreement is …