A man who is considered to be the father of genomics says that if algae-based fuel makers can’t start making billions of gallons of fuel, they are just playing with investors’ money. This post on earth2tech.com says Craig Venter, the founder of synthetic biology startup Synthetic Genomics, made the remarks at the Wall Street Journal’s Economics conference this week: In …
Advanced Biofuel Makers Call for Tax Credits
The advanced biofuels industry is putting a bug in Congress’ ear, calling for lawmakers to allow for an investment tax credit that will help advanced biofuels makers get money to get their projects up to commercial scale and become eligible for another operating credit. Biomass Magazine explains that the industry would be eligible for a federal production tax credit of …
Biodiesel Standards Under Revision
One biodiesel standard is under review, while another one has been revised. This post on Truckinginfo.com says ASTM International is considering a cold weather biodiesel standard: Through the ballot, the group will decide if changes need to be made within the specification, D6751. If changes are needed, the group will determine whether they should apply to all biodiesel, or whether …
Iowa Biodiesel Mandate Still Alive
As if to borrow a line from Monty Python, the Iowa biodiesel mandate is “not dead yet!” The 5 percent biodiesel blend for every gallon of diesel sold in the state, although declared dead by many in the media (including yours truly), seems to be marching on. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the B5 legislation cleared the state Senate last …
World’s Largest Soybean Plant to Use Verenium Process
The world’s largest soybean processing plant will be using a a process from Verenium that will increase soybean oil production. This company press release says Verenium’s Purifine(R) PLC enzymatic degumming process will be used at the Molinos Rio de la Plata’s San Lorenzo plant in Argentina … Argentina’s leading soybean and sunflower seed processor: “Molinos’ ability to adopt new innovative …
GE Chief: US Must Win Global Wind Turbine Race
America is in danger of falling behind Asia when it comes to wind energy production. And the chief of General Electric says that is jeopardizing this country’s energy future. Business Week reports that in remarks to the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Conference near Washington, DC, General Electric Co. chief Jeffrey Immelt said America must not give away this growth to every …
Biodiesel Credit Gets New Life
It looks like the federal biodiesel tax credit that expired at the end of last year could have new life. An extension of the $1-a-gallon blenders credit has been attached to the new, $150 billion American Workers, State and Business Relief Act, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.). Biodiesel Magazine reports that the …
Biodiesel Turns Sesame Street Green
Sunny days … and biodiesel … will be sweeping the clouds … and the smog … away as the studio that produces Sesame Street will switch to the green fuel for heat. The New York Daily News reports Kaufman Astoria Studios just became the greenest studio in town as it switches from traditional heating oil to “Greenheat,” a new blend …
Iowa Biodiesel Mandate Dies, But Could Be Reborn
A proposal to mandate a 5 percent biodiesel blend in every gallon of diesel sold in Iowa has died in one legislative committee … but could be reborn in another. The Fort Dodge (IA) Messenger reports that the House environmental protection committee’s ranking member, Rep. Steve Olson, R-DeWitt, declared the bill dead: Olson said the GOP caucus was opposed to …
Lambright Joins Algae-Biofuel Maker Sapphire
The former head of the U.S. Export-Import Bank and Chief Investment Officer of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) is bringing his copious financial knowledge to algae-biofuels producer Sapphire Energy. This company press release says James Lambright will also head Sapphire’s international expansion efforts: A respected leader in the private and public financial sectors, Lambright rounds out …