This week, we’ve heard a lot of talk about a change in Internal Revenue Service policy that will allow big oil companies to cash in on a $1-a-gallon tax credit originally intended to help the biodiesel industry off the ground (see my posts on April 16th & April 18th). The National Biodiesel Board has blasted the IRS for the change, …
Greening the Gas Pumps
California, especially the San Francisco Bay area, is known for its environmentally conscious ways. According to this story in the North County Times, the area’s first public biodiesel station takes green to a whole new level: Biofuel Oasis, a Berkeley-based retailer, said its station will feature credit-card operated pumps, air and water hoses, a convenience store and long hours. But …
Manitoba Considers Biodiesel Mandate
The Canadian province of Manitoba is considering legislation that would ensure biodiesel quality sold in the province and could eventually mandate a minimum standard. Check out this story on the pending Biofuels Amendment Act on TruckNews.com: “We are excited about the potential the biofuels industry holds for Manitoba,” said Jim Rondeau, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines. “This new …
Small Wind Tax Break
Those who generate their own power through small windmills could get a tax credit for the cost of the turbines. According to this article posted on Compositeworld.com, the Rural Wind Energy Development Act is primarily sponsored by U.S. Senators Ken Salazar (D-CO), and Gordon Smith (R-OR), and co-sponsored by Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Larry Craig (R-ID): The “Rural Wind …
Alberta to Get Big Biofuel Refinery
Developers say they will build North America’s largest biofuel refinery… capable of producing about 100 million gallons a year of ethanol, biodiesel, and canola oil… near Innisfail, Alberta. This story in the Toronto Star says the $400 million plant will be built by private equity firms Riverstone Holdings and Carlyle Group and privately held Dominion Energy in an area where …
NBB Blasts Conoco/Tyson Biodiesel Plans
Oil company giant ConocoPhillips is teaming up with food giant Tyson to start selling biodiesel. According to this article on CNet News.com, the project would combine a plentiful resource Tyson has… animal fat… with a seemingly plentiful ConocoPhillips resource… money: Tyson formed a renewable-energy division last year. The company generates about 2.3 billion pounds of animal fat a year in …
NBB Says IRS On Side of Big Oil
As we close in on income tax deadline day, biodiesel advocates are blasting the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for allowing petroleum producers to cash in on the same dollar-a-gallon tax credit orginally set up to help the fledgling biodiesel industry. According to a National Biodiesel Board press release, special interests have successfully lobbied the U.S. Department of Treasury to to …
New Biodiesel Plant for Kansas
Ground-breaking is planned for this summer for a new 60-million-gallon-a-year at Emporia, Kansas. According to this story in the Lawrence (KS) Journal-World, Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group will build the refinery with hopes of opening in just more than a year: Company president Nile Ramsbottom said the company looked at Emporia because of its location and an ongoing partnership with soybean …
Emerald Isle Going Greener
Ireland has broken ground on its first large-scale biodiesel refinery, expected to be making the alternative fuel by 2008. According to a story in Biofuel Review, the plant will use a variety of sources… many from local farmers: Green Biofuels Ireland intends to commence production of biodiesel from oil seed rape, recovered vegetable oil and animal fats in 2008. The …
Missouri Senate Moves Biodiesel Mandate
The Missouri State Senate has given first round approval to a 5% biodiesel mandate. This story on eTrucker.com says Senator Bill Stouffer’s bill would require all diesel sold in the state would have to have at least five percent biodiesel beginning in April 2009: Not only would the biodiesel mandate benefit agriculture, but “This is something that’s good for the …