According to a Los Angeles Times article, California Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif) have called for a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into California’s high gas prices. In one week, the per gallon price of gas jumped 50 cents. Fuel analysts attribute the increase to an oil pipeline problem, maintenance procedures, and refinery mishaps. According to Feinstein, …
Study Looks at Converting Biomass & Electricity to Fuel
In a collaborative effort between University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, a continuous process for converting biomass and electricity into renewable liquid transportation fuels has been developed. The researchers used a proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell to convert the model biomass compound acetone into isopropanol. This chemical compound can be used in a myriad of …
Vilsack Defends Ethanol at Dairy Expo
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack held a town hall meeting at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin this week and took questions from the audience, one of which concerned ethanol and the impact it has had on livestock producers. The questioner, who was from California, said ethanol was “not a very popular word” with dairy farmers in her state. “Where …
Iowa Bioenergy Tour Huge Success
The 4th Annual Biofuels: Science and Sustainability Tour took place recently hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The three-day tour brought several Washington, D.C. policymakers and regulators to Iowa for a inside and hands on look at the renewable fuels and agricultural industry in the state. Participants had the opportunity to talk with many renewable fuels experts, agriculture leaders …
Ag Energy Coalition Talks Farm Bill
The 2008 Farm Bill has officially expired giving the agricultural industry and renewable energy industry, which had programs in the 2008 Farm Bill, a grave level of uncertainty to growing segments of the U.S. economy. This move has caused private sector investments to dry up and threatens good paying jobs. In response, Lloyd Ritter, co-director of the Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) said, …
Clariant Joins Advanced Ethanol Council
A global specialty chemicals company headquartered in Switzerland with operations in the United States is the newest member of the Advanced Ethanol Council, a coalition of companies formed last year to promote advanced ethanol fuels and technologies. Clariant Corporation recently acquired Süd-Chemie, which has been developing its proprietary sunliquid® process since 2006, including the successful operation of a pilot plant …
Top Reasons to Attend Biodiesel Conference
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is celebrating its 20th anniversary and its 10th biodiesel conference. Don’t miss out on next year’s event: Momentum – National Biodiesel Conference & Expo 2013. The conference will take place February 4-7, 2013 in Las Vegas. But in this case, what happens in Vegas should not stay in Vegas. The tips you learn, contacts you …
New York All Bioheat All the Time
It might not seem like winter will come this year, but it will. New Yorkers are preparing for colder temperatures and on October 1, 2012, all the heating oil (oilheat) will contain at least 2 percent biodiesel. Known as Bioheat fuel, it is gaining momentum in Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. states. In 2010, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed …
Nextgen Offers Attendees Free Clinics
The nextgen conference is set to take place in UK’s Stoneleigh Park on October 10 and 11, 2012. Unique to the event that showcases emerging renewable energy technologies, attendees can meet with industry experts during a series of drop-in clinics. The clinics are geared for those developing green energy projects or for those already involved in renewable energy production. Visitors …
Drought Solution for Biodiesel Industry
This summer was the hottest on record according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the forecast for October could be much of the same: hotter than usual temperatures with less than normal precipitation. A major drought has affected much of the U.S. with Texas feeling the worst impact followed by Colorado, Missouri, Florida, New Mexico, Arkansas, Indiana, and …