Electric meters are running backwards as Rock Port, Missouri became the first town in the country to run on 100 percent wind power. This article in the Maryville (MO) Daily Forum says the meters started moving in the other direction after this weekend when the four wind turbines (pictured on the right) on a hill just above the town started …
Direct Fuels Opens Biodiesel Facility
Independent regional fuel distributor and specialty refiner Direct Fuels has opened a biodiesel facility at its Euliss refinery in North Texas. This Direct Fuels press release says it will be only the second biodiesel producer in North Texas and the only one at a fuel terminal where biodiesel can be blended directly into petroleum diesel: “The opening of our biodiesel …
Nova Biosource Cranking Out Animal Fat Biodiesel
Biofuel maker Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc. has updated the progress on its Seneca, Illinois biodiesel plant. According to this company press release, Nova Biosource is producing biodiesel from low free fatty acid animal fats and vegetable oils with the plant right now at about 75 percent capacity: Nova anticipates gradually changing the mix of feedstock to incorporate lower cost, higher …
Boating with Biodiesel
A commercial launch company in Massachusetts will run some of its boats this summer on biodiesel. This story in the Salem News (Beverly, Mass.) says that after testing biodiesel on a partner company’s research boat, Mid-Harbor Launch Service will run a few of its boats vessel on the green fuel to test the viability of the product: Mid-Harbor Launch plans …
Canada’s Largest Biofuels Plant on Drawing Board
A $50 million project could help one of Canada’s biggest biofuels producers build the largest biofuels facility north of the border. Biomass Magazine reports that Canadian Green Fuels Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mike Shenher recently announced the investment that includes building a new plant and upgrading the current Canadian Green Fuels plant in Regina, Saskatchewan: “We expect these plants to …
Algal Biodiesel Proves Worth in Cold Weather
Biodiesel made from algae is proving it can stand up to the cold weather… a key to wider acceptance of the REALLY green fuel. This story from Emerging Energy News says that Soladiesel, made by Solazyme, was tested at the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), requested by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD): “The DoD’s requested testing of the Soladiesel fuel …
Biodiesel’s Part in Earth Day
As we approach Earth Day, 2008… Tuesday, April 22nd… the National Biodiesel Board is reminding everyone how biodiesel is part of green efforts for the world. In a press release, the NBB points out that biodiesel reduces emissions, adds green jobs to the economy, reduces dependence on foreign oil and increases feed and food supplies, while lowering their costs: “Some …
Maine, the Saudi Arabia of Wind
A former governor of Maine is calling on his state to invest in a major wind power plant off the coast of the northeastern state. In a story in the Boston Herald, former Maine Governor Angus King told a group at Bowdoin College that Maine should start a $15-billion network of offshore wind turbines in the Gulf of Maine over …
Brazilian President Jumps into Food vs. Fuel Debate
After a week of criticism of biofuels that included the U.N. special rapporteur for the right to food, Jean Ziegler calling biofuels a “crime against humanity” and protests in Brazil and Europe, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is defending his country’s right to produce biofuels. This Reuters story has more information: “Don’t tell me, for the love of …
NBB Applauds Bush’s Greenhouse Gas Plan
The National Biodiesel Board is applauding President Bush’s plan to stop the growth of U.S. greenhouse gases by 2025. In this release from the NBB, the group says biodiesel will be a key part of the plan: “Biodiesel not only reduces our dependence on foreign oil, it is a valuable tool in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said …