Save the Date – MN Biodiesel & Bioheat Forum

Joanna Schroeder

Save the date for the Biodiesel and Bioheat Forum taking place August 19, 2015 in Mankato, Minnesota. States up and down the East Coast have ventured into new markets and uses for biodiesel that offer significant potential for Minnesota and U.S. soybean farmers as well as the entire biodiesel industry. One market includes the Bioheat market – nearly 6.2 million …

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, biofuels, Soybeans

Biodiesel Maker for Hemp-Infused Beer

John Davis

A biodiesel maker is teaming up with a Southern California brewer to make a hemp-infused beer. This article from Small Cap Network says Extreme Biodiesel is looking at providing hemp seeds to Off Your Rocker, a Southern California Craft Brewing Company. Joseph Spadafore, President of Extreme Biodiesel stated “As stated previously XTRM has been pursuing several projects to increase our …

Biodiesel

“May Day, May Day” Video Released

Joanna Schroeder

Americans United for Change has released a new video in response to the recent oil spill in Santa Barbara, California as well as several other recent oil spills. ‘May Day, May Day‘ is a roundup of news coverage showing why May was another messy oil spill month. The nonprofit notes the images of beach-goers trudging through tar to rescue oil …

Americans United for Change, Biodiesel, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, RFS, Video

Camelina Offers Dual-Crop Possibility for Biodiesel

John Davis

Camelina could help end the food-versus-fuel debate for biodiesel. This article from the American Society of Agronomy says that new research found that growing camelina with soybeans in the Upper Midwest has promising signs. Russ Gesch, a plant physiologist with the USDA Soil Conservation Research Lab in Morris, Minnesota, found encouraging results when growing Camelina sativa with soybean in the …

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, food and fuel, Soybeans

IBB Features Mechanic Training Program

Joanna Schroeder

“The Biodiesel for Diesel Technicians,” is currently available for free at community colleges in Iowa and surrounding states complements of a federal grant. The class has been supported by the regional Clean Cities along with the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) and was developed by the National Biodiesel Board and IBB together. “This training program helps mechanics better understand how biodiesel …

Alternative Vehicles, automotive, Biodiesel, Education

Iowa RFA Praises State Legislature

Cindy Zimmerman

As the Iowa Legislature wrapped up the 2015 legislative session last week, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) praised several key pieces of legislation that were passed to expand use of higher ethanol and biodiesel blends. Before the gavel went down on the 86th General Assembly, Iowa lawmakers passed key legislation that allows E15 infrastructure investments to become eligible for …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Iowa RFA

Novozymes on #FEW15 Advanced Biofuels Track

Cindy Zimmerman

Novozymes was first up on the Cellulosic and Advanced Ethanol Track at the 2015 Fuel Ethanol Workshop with ways to help first generation biofuels producers take the next leap forward with enzyme technology. “We’ve been looking at how we can take all of our significant efforts in research and development in cellulases and find applications for them,” said Novozymes scientist …

advanced biofuels, Audio, Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW, Novozymes

Biodiesel Helps 4-H Students Learn Science

John Davis

Some Minnesota 4-H students are learning more about science, thanks to biodiesel. This story from the St. Paul Pioneer Press says this knowledge could help these kids fill an expected 1,000 person gap in those able to fill the business, science engineering and agriculture jobs in this country each year. For junior high and high school students, “4-H involvement could …

Ag group, Agribusiness, Biodiesel

USDA to Invest $100M in Biofuels Infrastructure

Joanna Schroeder

The Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership is getting an infusion of up to $100 million according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack. The funds will be used to build and update infrastructure needed to bring more biofuels to market. The announcement came on the same day that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Renewable Fuel Obligations (RVO) for …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, E15, E85, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

Biodiesel Industry Good with New EPA Proposal

Cindy Zimmerman

The biodiesel industry is relatively pleased with the announcement today from EPA setting volume requirements for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO Joe Jobe voiced “measured support” for the proposal while calling for improvements in the final rule. “It is not perfect, but it will get the U.S. biodiesel industry growing again and put …

Biodiesel, NBB, RFS