Biodiesel producers from across the country are in Washington, D.C. today to make a final push back against the federal government’s latest proposal for the amount of biodiesel to be mixed into the nation’s fuel supply. The National Biodiesel Board says nearly 100 biodiesel producers, feedstock suppliers and other advocates from at least 27 states are on Capitol Hill to …
Biodiesel, Woody Biomass Get Massachusetts Grants
Some biodiesel plants and woody biomass operations are some of the benefactors of $3.5 million in grants handed out by Massachusetts’ Department of Energy Resources. This news release says the money comes from Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) funds, money paid by electricity suppliers that do not meet their statutory Renewable Portfolio Standard obligation to purchase a sufficient percentage of renewable …
IncBio Biodiesel Processor Going to South America
Portugal-based IncBio delivered its latest fully automated ultrasonic biodiesel reactor to South America. This company news release says it will produce 120,000 metric tons/year of the green fuel using the ultrasonic transesterification process, a technique touted by the company as much more efficient than traditional biodiesel makers. José Marques, IncBio’s CEO said: “By updating the existing technology, our client is …
E85, Biodiesel Vehicles Dominate EcoCAR 2
Vehicles running on high blends of ethanol and biodiesel dominated the third year of EcoCAR 2 – a joint competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and General Motors (GM) that challenged 15 college teams to reduce fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and tailpipe emissions, while providing consumers with an acceptable vehicle to drive. A team from Ohio …
Eucalyptus Trees Could be Next Source for Biodiesel
They’re not just to stuff the faces of koala bears anymore – eucalyptus trees could serve as the next source for biodiesel and other biofuels. Work in part at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint Genome Institute is looking at genome sequencing to get the most out of the hardwood that won’t compete with food crops. Combing through the 36,000-plus …
FEW Panel Looks Back and to Future of Ethanol
Attendees of this week’s 30th Annual Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) heard a discussion of 30 years of past and the next five years ahead for ethanol. “I think one of the opportunities we missed 30 years ago was developing a national brand for ethanol,” says Lucy Norton with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). “We let the industry that didn’t …
Ennovor’s Biodiesel Earns Sustainability Certification
A European biodiesel maker has earned an important sustainability certification. This company news release says Ennovor Group is the first in the United Kingdom to garner the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) sustainability certification for their used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME) biodiesel. The certification is based on 12 key principles, providing a holistic approach towards sustainability assurance, covering social, …
Canadians Breathing Easier with Biodiesel
Our friends north of the border are breathing easier thanks to biodiesel. This news release from the Asthma Society of Canada and Canadian Renewable Fuels Association says cutting vehicle emissions is key to improving air quality, and the groups are joining forces to get Canada to increase its current 2 percent renewable fuel content requirement to a 5 percent blend …
Calif. to Crack Down on Biodiesel Feedstock Thieves
Theft of kitchen grease to be made into biodiesel has been a growing problem, as entrepreneurs and home brewers have caught on to the low-cost way to make the fuel. In California, according to the Crown City News, a measure to crack down on stealing what used to be just thrown out is advancing in the state legislature, passing by …
Worldwide Biodiesel Production to Hit Record
Biodiesel production worldwide is expected to hit a record this year, with higher mandates in South America expected to help fuel the climb. This article from Bloomberg quotes an Oil World report that shows biodiesel production could rise by about 8 percent to 29.1 million tons this year. Brazil’s biodiesel inclusion mandate will rise to 6 percent in July from …