Despite increased demand for biodiesel, makers of the green fuel are having a tougher time making a profit. This article from Reuters says sales of American biodiesel tripled last year to about 250 million gallons and will go even higher next year. But the success has been a double-edged sword: [T]he sales jumps have had the side effect of helping …
Ski Resorts Running on Biodiesel
The Colorado ski resorts of Aspen and Vail are known for their great snow and trendy ways, and biodiesel producers are hoping they’ll continue a green trend one of then has been practicing… using biodiesel. Aspen has been using biodiesel in its snowcats for a while, and the web site The Vail Trail is asking if its resorts, which are …
Fuel Up with E85 For $1.85 in Missouri
Consumers have the chance to fuel up on E85 for $1.85. The ZX snack shop in Kirkwood, Missouri is hosting a grand opening for its first E85 fuel pump. The celebration will begin Thursday, at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until 4:00 p.m at 10921 Manchester Rd. General Motors and the MO Corn Growers Association will be displaying “Live Green …
ACORE President Expects Big Gains
The president of the American Council on Renewable Energy believes the recent growth in renewable energy markets is just the beginning of sustained growth that will increase the renewable energy business by 10 times. This ACORE press release says President Michael Eckhart made the remarks at a clean tech conference in Seattle: “The growth of renewable energy means jobs and …
Student Fees to Pay for Green Fuel
Students at Minnesota State University in Moorhead, Minnesota have been paying “green fees” that will help build a wind power generator for the school’s science center. This story in the Dickinson Press has more: The 39.5-kilowatt wind turbine will generate enough energy to run the building, plus 20 additional kilowatts per month that could be sold back, said Pete Sand, …
The Vicious Cycle of Irony
Increased demand for biodiesel has meant an increased demand for biodiesel plants… which has increased demand for feedstocks such as soybeans… which has pushed up the price for soybeans… which has hurt the operation of the biodiesel plants. That’s irony, right? Some biodiesel plants are starting to feel the negative effects of the surge that brought them to life in …
Tyson, Syntroleum Biodiesel to Keep Air Force Flying
Tyson and Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Syntroleum have formed a company called Dynamic Fuels that will make jet fuel out of animal fat. This article on the cleantech.com web site says the two will turn 2.3 billion pounds of animal fat into 75 million gallons of biodiesel a year: Tyson announced that it would build the first biodiesel plant under its venture …
Biofuel Makers Want Changes to Farm Credit Rules
Leaders in Iowa’s renewable energy field are asking Congressional leaders to change federal law so Farm Credit would be allowed to make loans to build ethanol and biodiesel plants that do not have a majority of farmer-stockholders as owners. This story in Wallaces Farmer says they’ve sent a letter to both of Iowa’s U.S. Senators, Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin, …
EU, NBB Face Off over Tax Credit
Lobbyists for the European Union and the National Biodiesel Board have been working Congress hard over the issue of tax credits. This article from The Hill.com says EU officials say the tax credit just allows American biodiesel to be dumped in Europe while the NBB argues the incentives are needed to support the alternative fuel: At issue are increased U.S. …
Chrysler Gives Grant to Alt. Energy Company
Chrysler has handed out a $150,000 grant to alternative energy incubator company NextEnergy. This story on the Detroit News web site says the two Detroit-based companies are collaborating on several projects, including the National Biodiesel Energy Lab, which is developing standards for biodiesel used in vehicles: “This grant is an extension of Chrysler’s commitment to being a good neighbor,” said …