A company that turns gas stations into renewable fuel filling spots will open up its latest station in Arkansas. This press release from Evolution Fuels, Inc. says the company has inked a lease agreement with J&J Developments, Inc. to put in a truck stop featuring biodiesel in Mountainburg, Arkansas: The truck stop, which will be operated under the Company’s subsidiary, …
French Engineering Firm to Buy Cal. Solar Company
A California-based solar company capable of building solar facilities that put out as much energy as a plant running on non-renewable fuels is being bought by a French engineering firm best known for its nuclear capabilities. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Areva will buy Ausra, a startup specializing in large-scale solar power: The deal will give Areva a way …
Michigan Grants $1.7 Million for Offshore Wind Study
Two grants totaling $1.7 million have been approved for studying offshore wind technologies in Michigan. The Chicago Tribune reports the grants come from the state’s Public Service Commission: Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center and the University of Michigan’s Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute are getting $1.3 million for jointly researching offshore wind and ice data on …
Biodiesel Bill Tied to Jobs Bill, Delayed by Blizzard
As Congress debates (or tries to debate between blizzards) the jobs bill, the measure that would put lots biodiesel workers back on the job seems to be tied to that same bill’s fate. This post on the Des Moines Register’s blog says Democrats had hoped to get the jobs bill to the floor today, but the 30+ inches of snow …
Utahns to Get Training for Wind, Solar, Alt Fuels Jobs
About 2,000 Utahns who need good jobs will get some training in fields looking to hire: alternative fuels, renewable energy, wind, solar and geothermal power. The Deseret News reports that a $4.6 million stimulus bucks grant will pay for training for displaced workers, disadvantaged youths and veterans: “We’re still working out some of the details,” department spokesman Curt Stewart said …
Solar, Biodiesel Make for a Green Valentine’s Day
Red might be the color of Valentine’s Day, but green is the attitude for the movie “Valentine’s Day.” The new Ashton Kutcher movie “Valentine’s Day” opens Feb. 12, and this story from USA Today says that Kutcher, who plays a florist in the movie, told Mother Nature Network’s Ecollywood that they had a green set: There was a lot of …
Iowa Closer to Biodiesel Mandate
A 5 percent biodiesel mandate in Iowa is a bit closer to a reality. This story from the Des Moines Register says the bill that would require all biodiesel sold in the Iowa contain at least 5 percent biodiesel passed a state legislative subcommittee … but not without some fiesty debate: “The hog producers in this state are being ravaged …
DF Cast: Ethanol, Biodiesel Industries Welcome RFS-2
It’s been a long time in the making, but the Environmental Protection Agency has finally released the new Renewable Fuels Standard … better known as RFS-2. The standard requires that biofuels will have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace and grow in production from last year’s 11.1 billion gallons to 36 billion …
New Study Shows Soy-Biodiesel’s Green Ways
While soybean-based biodiesel has been unfairly knocked at times for not being as environmentally friendly as it should be, a new study shows just how green fuel from the bean really is. A new peer-reviewed life cycle profile released by the United Soybean Board (USB) documents multiple energy and environmental benefits of U.S. soybean farming and processing, including biodiesel. This …
OriginOil Unveils System for Algae Growth & Harvest
Our friends at OriginOil, Inc. have developed a comprehensive pilot system for algae growth and harvesting. This company press release says OriginOil unveiled the system during an event at its Los Angeles headquarters: At the event, Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO, spoke to the assembled group of core investors, celebrities and members of the press. “I’m very proud of our team …