A multifeedstock biodiesel refiner plays host to this summer’s Collective Biodiesel Conference. This article from Biodiesel magazine says Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro, N.C. will hold the event Aug. 14-17 with this year’s theme being “Think Differently.” Piedmont Biofuels is known for its community-based approach to biodiesel production and distribution, as well as its process technology innovations such as the cooperative’s …
TX Algae Operation Confirms Commercial Potential
An algae growing operation in South Texas has confirmed it is about ready to go commercial scale. Aurora Algae says after six months of testing and evaluation, it has the potential to go commercial-scale, and the company is expanding its test facility with four, one-acre cultivation ponds and a harvesting system. “We have successfully tested our algae cultivation system in …
Bioenergy Crops Could Become Invasive Species
While some crops could hold great potential as bioenergy sources, they could also pose a threat as an invasive species. A new study in the journal Invasive Plant Science and Management says that a seed-bearing form of giant miscanthus could be trouble for farmers if it escapes cultivation. The article “The Relative Risk of Invasion: Evaluation of Miscanthus × giganteus …
UC San Diego Has Top Algae-Biodiesel Programs
Plenty of warm Southern California sun must be helping fuel the brains of algae-biodiesel researchers, as two programs at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) are rated tops in the Nation. This article from the school says the U.S. Department of Energy bestowed the high marks. A program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography was rated the best in the …
Propane Users Urged to Get Equipment Ready
Spring is in the air, and planting is either started or getting ready to get started across the country. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is urging farmers who use their fuel to make sure spring preparation includes prepping that propane-fueled equipment. Irrigation Engines After a long winter, rodents, debris, and exposure to the elements are the most common …
North Dakota Canola for Aviation Biodiesel Explored
Canola from North Dakota farmers could be the next source for biodiesel for aircraft. This story from the Billings (MT) Gazette says researchers in the northern plains have been exploring the oilseed’s possibility to fill aviation fuel tanks since 2011. The Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory in Mandan is one of eight locations testing different plant products for biofuels. The …
Biodiesel Board Joins EPA, DOJ Against Big Oil
While the basketball national championship might have been decided on the court, it could be the courts that decide the future of advanced biofuels in this country. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) joined forces with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Justice to fight an attempt to dismantle the Renewable Fuel Standard (NBB). In the current case, Monroe …
Alaska Air Includes Biofuels in Sustainability Plan
Alaska Air Group announced some aggressive sustainability goals for 2020, and part of that includes aviation biofuels. This company news release says the goals and how to get there are outlined in a new report from the airline. “We believe running our business sustainably—with an eye on the long run—is simply the right thing to do,” CEO Brad Tilden said. …
Minnesota Biodiesel Mandate Faces Uncertain Future
A delay in Minnesota’s biodiesel mandate could have a ripple effect for more targets in the law’s future. This article in the Mankato Free Press says nearly three years ago, state regulators delayed implementing a B10 mandate scheduled for 2012. Now that officials in Minnesota believe they’re ready for the higher blend, it’s running dangerously close to another target, B20, …
New Biodiesel Mandate Pleases Canadian Farmers
The new biodiesel requirement north of the border is pleasing farmers in that area. The trade group Grain Farmers of Ontario welcomed its province’s new 2 percent biodiesel mandate, expected to be a boon for soybean farmers. “The creation of an Ontario Greener Diesel mandate will reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by the transportation sector and will help build a …