Regulators have given Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) the green light for finalizing its buy of a U.S. Biodiesel plant in Houston, Texas. This article from the Central Valley Business Times says REG will start producing biodiesel on July 7th: The REG Houston facility could produce 35 million gallons per year it it runs at, or near, full capacity, the …
More Biodiesel Facts to Dispute Food-vs.-Fuel
An interesting piece was posted on the AgWeb.com web site that I thought made a pretty good argument in the food-versus-fuel debate. Greg Anderson, a family farmer who grows soybeans near Newman Grove, Nebraska (and serves as an ex-officio member of the United Soybean Board Executive Committee) makes some pretty strong arguments that there is not a great food shortage …
Used Cooking Oil Powering Jacksonville’s Fleet
City vehicles in Jacksonville, Florida’s will be running more and more on biodiesel… and the green fuel will help clean up the city’s waste. This story from the Jacksonville Business Journal says the city is making 100 percent biodiesel at its fuel depot and mixing it to B20 to run in its diesel-powered vehicles: Fleet management picks up used cooking …
Iowa Farmers Keep High Harvest Expectations Despite Record Floods
In this DomesticFuel Cast, we hear from Craig Floss, Chief Executive Officer for the Iowa Corn Grower’s Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Julius Schaaf, chair of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Gary Edwards of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Here is the Domestic Fuel Cast #5: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/domesticfuel/df-podcast-5.mp3] You can also subscribe to the Domestic Fuel Cast using …
New EPIC Board Member Calls for a Cohesive Ethanol Industry
Another representative of Fagen Incorporated has joined the ranks in the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. Matt Sederstrom of Platinum Ethanol is a new board member, elected at EPIC’s first annual meeting earlier this month. Matt says he hopes to drive a solid cohesiveness in the ethanol industry, bringing more members and industry partners together for a common cause. “Now …
Biodiesel Boat Shatters World Record
Sixty days after it left port in Sagunto, Spain… and 14 days ahead of the previous world record… the 100 percent biodiesel-powered boat, Earthrace, has finished circling the globe faster than any other boat ever has before. This update comes from the Earthrace’s web site: Sagunto, Spain, 27 June 2008, 13.24 GMT: Earthrace, the world’s fastest eco-boat, has smashed the …
Big Wind Projects Not the Only Solution
While big wind farms are part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s plan to have wind power make up 20 percent of the nation’s energy supply by 2030. But at least one small wind power generator is saying, “Don’t forget about the little guys.” A press release from Kentucky-based Wind Energy Corporation, which uses a unique sail-like design (pictured right) …
EPIC Board Embraces Veteran Experience with Ethanol
Gary Pestorious (pictured speaking with EPIC founder Ron Fagen) isn’t new to ethanol nor to the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. Gary was elected for another term as an EPIC board member at the organization’s first annual meeting. As a two year veteran with EPIC, one thing Gary stresses is EPIC’s role in the ethanol industry. He says EPIC is …
Duke Energy Expands Wind Portfolio
One of the nation’s largest power companies has added to its wind energy holdings. Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke Energy has spent $240 million to acquire Vermont-based wind energy company Catamount Energy Corp. This Reuters story has more: Catamount has about 300 megawatts of renewable energy in operation, as well as about 1,750 megawatts of development interest in the United States …
Biodiesel, Ethanol, Wind Part of ND Energy Future
A North Dakota commission is recommending that ethanol, biodiesel and wind play a larger role in that state’s energy future. The Dickinson (ND) Press reports that the state’s EmPower Commission has issued 10 major goals with renewable fuels at the forefront. Here are some of the goals: *Support the nation’s 25X25 Initiative to derive at least 25 percent of all …