An article that ran in the British newspaper, the Guardian, claimed that the World Bank had kept secret a report that said biofuels were responsible for 75 percent of the rise in food prices. But now it turns out that the report was not secret and the number was not nearly that high. This story in the Wall Street Journal …
Jayhawks Brew Up Biodiesel for a Buck
Researchers at the University of Kansas are making biodiesel… and it’s costing only $1-a-gallon to make the green fuel. This story from the Lawrence (KS) Journal-World says Prof. Susan Williams is using the school’s leftovers with intentions of putting the biodiesel back into the university: With her raw materials virtually cost-free — used cooking oil from campus dining facilities, leftover …
Biodiesel Helping Ohio Schools
It’s the middle of summer, and the last thing on students’ minds is how they’ll get to school. But those rides to classes this fall might be a bit cleaner as more schools across the country switch their buses over to biodiesel. In Ohio, schools are getting incentives to run their diesel buses on the cleaner-burning biodiesel. This story from …
PA Trying to Keep Up in Biodiesel Incentives, Mandates
Pennsylvania lawmakers have passed a bill that would significantly increase that state’s incentive to biodiesel makers and another that would mandate that every gallon of diesel be blended with biodiesel. This story in the York (PA) Daily Record says the bill from Sen. Robert Tomlinson (R-Bucks) would up the incentive to 75 cents for each gallon and is expected to …
Florida Gov Signs Alt Energy Bill
Florida Governor Charlie Crist has signed a comprehensive alternative energy bill that is being touted as putting his state on the right foot for beginning true energy independence, while being realistic. This story from the Walton Sun says the new law will encourage investments in alternative and renewable energy technology and will help reduce greenhouse gases: This follows a year …
New Biodiesel Feedstock Brings Promise and Problems
Camelina is growing in popularity as a feedstock for biodiesel for its high oil content, hardy nature and short growing season… especially popular in the Northern Plains, such as Montana, where conditions can be a bit tough. But this story from The Prairie Star, a Great Falls-based publication serving Montana and parts of Wyoming, says researchers are offering some advice …
Biodiesel Helping Aim for Energy Independence Day
July is the time to celebrate Independence Day, but, unfortunately, the United States is still a long way from declaring energy independence. Home-grown, renewable fuels are one part of the answer when it comes to meeting America’s fuel needs, and soybean farmers and their soybean checkoff have been working to develop, test and prove the value of soy biodiesel for …
Investment in Biodiesel, Ethanol, Solar & Wind Up 60%
The world’s investment in clean energies – solar, wind and biofuels – jumped an amazing 60 percent from 2006 to 2007… thanks to rising oil prices and changing climate rules. This story from Bloomberg.com says the information came from a United Nations Environment Program report: Wind power attracted the most financing at $50 billion, according to a report today from …
Biodiesel Co. Prez: Push Back Against Myths
The president of a New York City biodiesel company is encouraging his industry to “push back” against the myths put out about the green fuel. Biodiesel Magazine reports Brent Baker, president of Tri-State Biodiesel got tired of dispelling misinformation about biodiesel: Isn’t it the reason people are starving? Doesn’t it take more energy to make than it creates? What about …
Getting More From Biodiesel By-products
Researchers at Rice University are finding more uses for the glut of glycerin brought about by the rise in popularity of biodiesel. A story from the school says the researchers have found a way to use E. coli and other bacteria to turn glycerin into chemicals formate, succinate and other valuable organic acids. The article says the work is being …