The second annual Virgin Festival sponsored by Virgin Mobile will try to be as environmentally conscious as possible during the two-day concert, August 4-5th at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Organizers of the event featuring bands such as The Police, Smashing Pumpkins, and Amy Winehouse are encouraging festival attendees to “green it like they mean it.” This press release …
Report: World Biodiesel Sales at 4.7 bil gallons by 2010
A report from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. says rising crude oil prices, and much of the world’s desire to find alternatives to fossil-based fuels, will push world biodiesel sales to 4.7 billion gallons a year by 2010. This story posted on PRWeb.com says the rise of biofuels, including biodiesel and ethanol, are being driven by the need to replace the …
Idaho Moves Forward on Wind Power
Idaho is one of the windiest states in America, but it’s wind power generating capabilities have been all but nil… but that could soon change. This story in the Idaho Statesman says a couple of regulatory cases at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission are finally being settled, ending a two-year moratorium on most new wind energy development in the state. …
Iowa’s Biodiesel Appreciation Day
Tomorrow morning, Wednesday, July 18th between 8 and noon, Kum & Go gas stations in 17 locations in Iowa will hold “Biodiesel Appreciation Day”… offering B2 biodiesel for 10 cents a gallon off the regular price. This article from EarthTimes.org says it is the biggest biodiesel promotion in the Upper Midwest and has gained the praise of politicians, environmentalists, and …
Saab: Minnesota Tops in E85
Sweden and Minnesota have a lot in common: Both are full of Swedes (OK, one more than the other), and both use a high percntage of E-85 ethanol. This article from the Saab (another Swedish product) web site makes a comparison between the country and the state that saw massive Swedish immigration in the late 19th century: Where Sweden is …
NCERC Teams up with Siemens
The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville has teamed up with Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc., the Georgia-based electrical, engineering, and automation giant, to speed up the development of alternative fuel technology. This story from the Chemical Online web site says a 10-year agreement between the two will involve hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment, …
Bill Expands Biodiesel Education Program
Introduction of bipartisan legislation by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) could expand the federal biodiesel education program. According to this National Biodiesel Board release, the Biodiesel Education and Expansion Act of 2007 would extend the program started in 2003 for another five years and double the resources allocated for biodiesel education efforts: “When it comes to renewable …
Texas A&M Biodiesel Short Course
The Food Protein Research & Development Center at Texas A&M University is offering its 4th Practical Short Course on Biodiesel and Industrial Applications of Vegetable Oils, August 19-22, 2007. This interactive course is designed to meet some specific objectives: Train personnel in : • Methods Of Biodiesel Production • Analysis and Quality Control Assurance for Biodiesel • Synthesis of Oleochemicals …
Ford Goes for Hydrogen Speed Record
Ford will go for a land speed record for a vehicle powered by hydrogen at the Bonneville Salt Flats next month. This story on the the U.K.-based web site, Autocar.com, says it will be a test of Original Equipment Manufacturer… or OEM… fuel cell cars: “We have made some modifications to the body to make it more aerodynamic,” said lead …
Bioenergy Booming in Oregon
A new study from Oregon State University says Oregon’s biofuels future remains pretty bright. This story from the OSU web site says renewable energy, ethanol and biodiesel in particular, will become a $2.5 billion industry in the state over the next 20 years: “We knew there was a lot of interest in this area and opportunities for growth, but it …