Lawmakers to Close Paper Biofuels Loophole

John Davis

Paper companies that have been cashing in on an alternative fuels tax credit could soon see that loophole close. This story from Reuters says lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives say they will end those paper companies’ ability to collect a $1-a-gallon tax credit that the companies have getting by adding black liquor, a by-product of producing paper, to …

biofuels, Government, Legislation

Renewable Fuels to be Focus of Minnesota Conference

John Davis

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 17th, for what’s being billed as the Midwest’s premier energy, economic and environmental conference. E3 2009 is sponsored by the University of Minnesota and will be held at the St. Paul RiverCentre: NREL’s Larry Kazmerski, a pioneer in the field of solar photovoltaics, will offer the keynote presentation for this year’s conference. Other highlights …

conferences

Biodiesel to Haul Capitol XMas Tree from Arizona to DC

John Davis

A green fuel will be used to haul the nation’s foremost evergreen cross-country. This story from The Explorer newspaper out of Tuscon, Arizona says this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will be hauled from Arizona’s White Mountains to Washington, D.C., all on a truck running on biodiesel: “We are thrilled to be a part of history, and bringing biodiesel as …

Biodiesel

BP Looks to Start Ethanol, Biobutanol Production

John Davis

A major oil producer is looking to get into the biofuels business. This story from Reuters says BP could start ethanol and biobutanol operations next year: BP could launch commercial production of grass-based ethanol in the United States in 2010 with partner Verenium, which already has a demonstration cellulosic ethanol facility, Philip New, Chief Executive of BP Biofuels, said. BP …

biobutanol, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Zenergy Buys Greenlight Biofuels

John Davis

Chicago-based Zenergy International has bought the Greenlight Biofuels biodiesel plant near Lubbock, Texas. This Zenergy press release says the deal should be finalized in the next few weeks: Greenlight Biofuels Ltd. has developed a robust, proprietary, and proven technology capable of processing a variety of feedstock. In alignment with the corporate strategy, having technology that can use flexible feedstock is …

Biodiesel

Solid Catalyst Saves Biodiesel Makers 19 cents/gallon

John Davis

A new solid catalyst could save some green fuel makers some green in their wallets. Biodiesel Magazine reports that a study of Catilin Inc.’s new T300 solid catalyst process saves biodiesel producers 13 cents a gallon over a traditional catalytic process… and up to 19 cents a gallon if you figure in capital expense savings: “This thorough analysis validated our …

Biodiesel

Biofuels Researcher Named Innovator of Year

John Davis

An Iowa State University researcher has been named “Innovator of the Year” for his work on biofuels. This press release from the school says Hans van Leeuwen, whose research teams have been awarded back-to-back R&D 100 awards for biofuels developments, has also been named R&D Magazine’s 2009 Innovator of the Year: Lindsay Hock, the magazine’s managing editor, wrote that the …

biofuels

Climate Bill Set for Markup without Republicans

John Davis

The Kerry-Boxer climate bill is set for markup tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 3) in the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee… whether or not any Republicans decide to come along. The “Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act,” introduced by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) is set for passage out of committee. According to this story from …

Government, Legislation

Wind’s Success is Transmission Lines’ Problem

John Davis

Wind power out West is booming… and that’s a bit of a problem. No, not a problem because of all of the clean energy the wind is producing. But the aging infrastructure to get that power to the people who can use it is loaded to the max, and this article from UPI says it’s time for an update: Future …

Wind

WI Biomass Biodiesel Plant to Commission Next Week

John Davis

A biodiesel plant that will make the green fuel from Wisconsin wood biomass is set for commissioning next week. This article from Biomass Magazine says the Flambeau River BioFuel LLC’s project will be commissioned using Honeywell Process Solutions’ supplies and automation equipment for what has been called the largest second-generation green diesel plant in the United States. The pilot testing …

Biodiesel, biomass