Sullivan Solar Power Using Glass

Chuck Zimmerman

Right after receiving my Glass I got a news alert from Sullivan Solar Power about their unique use of this new technology. What timing! So I got in touch with Michael Chagala, Director of IT, and we talked about how they’re employing Glass in their field operations. In the photo Michael is “wearing.” Sullivan Solar Power developed their own app …

Audio, Solar

DF Cast: EPA Proposal More Than Just Numbers

John Davis

We’ve heard a lot of the national numbers in the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to cut the amount of ethanol and biodiesel going into the country’s fuel supply… cellulosic biofuels at 17 million gallons, biomass-based diesel at 1.28 billion gallons, advanced biofuels at 2.20 billion gallons and renewable fuels at 15.21 billion. But outside of all these national numbers is …

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Domestic Fuel Cast, EPA, Ethanol, RFA, RFS

Analyst Offers Sobering Ethanol Outlook

Cindy Zimmerman

AgResource Company president Dan Basse looked at the year in review for grain markets and gave his outlook for the future at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS 2013 and Seed Expo last week in Chicago. That included a pretty sobering outlook for corn and ethanol. First off, Basse said he expects North America to be “energy self-sufficient by …

Audio, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Tips from Patriot’s Dave Gerhart on Improving Efficiency

Joanna Schroeder

When you want to learn about ethanol, you go to an industry veteran and I did just that when I spoke with Patriot Renewable Fuels Plant Manager Dave Gerhart who began his career in the early 80s at is what is now known as Nebraska-based Chief Ethanol Fuels. At the time, they were the largest dry mill ethanol plant in …

Audio, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Patriot Renewable Fuels, RFS

A Q&A with JatroDiesel

Joanna Schroeder

JatroDiesel’s technology has been selected by Patriot Renewable Fuels for its 4-5 million biodiesel facility under construction next to its ethanol plant in Annawan, Illinois. The biodiesel plant, when it goes into operation in September 2014 will use the corn oil produced during the ethanol process for its primary feedstock. To learn more about the multi-feedstock biodiesel technology, I spoke …

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Patriot Renewable Fuels

Annawan Mayor Kennard B Franks Applauds Patriot

Joanna Schroeder

Annawan Mayor Kennard B Franks applauds Patriot Renewable Fuels for how much their ethanol plant (and soon to be biodiesel facility) has done for the local community. “Patriot has helped us immensely,” said Mayor Franks. He noted that they knew they were in a great spot on Interstate 80 along with the railroad routes and two natural gas pipelines running …

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Patriot Renewable Fuels, RFS

USDA, DOD Announce Farm-to-Fleet Program

Joanna Schroeder

U.S. Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus have announced a joint “Farm-to-Fleet” venture to make biofuel blends part of regular, operational fuel purchases and use by the military. The announcement incorporates the acquisition of biofuel blends into regular Department of Defense (DOD) domestic solicitations for jet engine and marine diesel fuels. The Navy will …

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, Audio, military

Murphy USA Opens First E15 Station

Joanna Schroeder

Murphy USA has opened the first E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline) station in Arkansas, located at 2720 N. West Avenue in El Dorado. The Arkansas station is also the second Murphy USA location to offer E85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline). E15 is approved for vehicles 2001 and newer, while both E15 and E85 can be used …

Audio, biofuels, E15, E85, Ethanol, RFA

U.S. Breaks Commitment to Biofuels Industry

Joanna Schroeder

Staurt Lamb, president and CEO of Stuart, Florida-based Viesel Fuel LLC, embarked on the journey to revolutionize the way biodiesel is made about one-and-a-half years ago. The company is focused on “junk oils and greases” as its feedstock. Using a process of enzymes and resins, Lamb believes they can produce biodiesel cheaper than anyone in the country and also believes …

advanced biofuels, Audio, EPA, RFS

Biodiesel Board: EPA Got it Wrong

John Davis

The National Biodiesel Board’s (NBB) message to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pretty simple: You got it WRONG! During last week’s hearing on the EPA’s proposed reduction in the amount of biodiesel and ethanol that will be mixed into the country’s fuel supply, Vice President of Federal Affairs for NBB Anne Steckel told those at the hearing that the …

Audio, Biodiesel, EPA, Government, NBB, RFS