Rising oil prices were a boon to biodiesel producers this summer, as near-$150/barrel prices for crude oil made it more and more profitable to produce biodiesel from a variety of feedstocks. However, with that same barrel of oil now costing less than $50, margins have tightened up for makers of the green fuel. This story in the Tampa (FL) Tribune …
LA Looks to Become Solar City
Los Angeles wants to become a hub of the solar energy industry. This article from the LA Times says Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has unveiled a long-range to have solar power meet one-tenth of the city’s energy needs by 2020, an initiative that is expected to help the city’s Department of Water and Power kick the fossil fuel habit: The plan …
The “Manhattan Project” of Off-shore Wind Farms Proposed for Maine
A massive, 5GW wind farm could be built off the coast of Maine and be fully operational in 10 years if a think tank of energy advisors get their way. This post from earth2tech.com says the Ocean Energy Institute’s proposal to build five 9.2-square-mile offshore wind farms in the Gulf of Maine could be a boon for the local construction …
Solar, Biodiesel RV a Teaching Tool
You might remember my story from October 8th, 2007 about Ty Adams and his biodiesel-powered RV, the bioTrekker, Adams is a man who likes to travel the country, preaching the gospel of alternative fuels. Now, he’s rolling on the roads in the SolTrekker, which also runs on biodiesel but, in addition, is outfitted with solar panels and made even more …
USDA Researching Pennycress’ Biodiesel Potential
Many people know pennycress as nothing more than a weed, but some folks with the U.S. Department of Agriculture are looking at its potential to become a biodiesel feedstock. This article from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service says scientists at the ARS’ Peoria, Illinois office are trying to make the farmers’ pest into their cash crop: There, a team of …
Farm Foundation to Release Report on Feeding and Fueling the World
Our friends at Farm Foundation are set to release a report next week on the challenges agriculture and the food system face in providing food, fiber and energy to a growing world over the next 30 years. The report will come out next Thursday, Dec. 4th as part of Farm Foundation’s Food and Agriculture Policy Summit, Dec. 2-4th at the …
On Turkey Day, Biodiesel Board Gives Food (vs. Fuel) for Thought
On the day that you sit down and have probably the biggest meal of the year, some of you might be thinking about how much higher your grocery bill is this year. While you really need to focus on the family and friends around you and how thankful you are for the blessings you enjoy, the National Biodiesel Board is …
Hemp Could Be Next Biofuel Feedstock
Farmers in the U.S could be growing hemp as a biomass crop, if a federal court rules in favor of two farmers trying to get a ban on the marijuana-related plant lifted. This story from Biomass Magazine says the new president could also have a hand in lifting that ban: The U.S. Appeals Court in St. Paul, Minn., heard arguments …
Biodiesel Refinery Idled by Ike Back On Line
Back in early September, Hurricane Ike roared ashore on the Texas Gulf Coast as the third most destructive hurricane ever to strike the U.S. A biodiesel refinery in the Houston area that was part of the destruction (see my post from Sep. 29, 2008) has finally recovered and is back on line. GreenHunter Biofuels has announced in this press release …
Biofuels to Provide Houston Green Power
A Texas-based renewable energy company is taking over an abandoned electrical plant with plans to run the generators on green energy sources. This press release posted on MarketWatch.com says Biofuels Power Corporation will purchase the site, infrastructure and equipment of the decommissioned H.O. Clarke Electric Generating Station in central Houston: The operational infrastructure on the H.O. Clarke site includes 65,000 …