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

EPA Announces Volume Obligations Under RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Beating the announced deadline of June 1, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed the volume requirements under the RFS program for 2014, 2015, and 2016 for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel. EPA is also proposing the volume requirement for biomass-based diesel for 2017. EPA is proposing to set the renewable fuel standards for 2014 …

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFS

Iowans Continue to Speak For RFS

Joanna Schroeder

With indication that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may finally announce the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by June 1st, Iowa legislators are once again calling for forward momentum of the RFS. Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, Reps. Dave Loebsack, Steve King, David Young, and Rod Blum—Iowa’s entire federal …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, EPA, Ethanol, Renewable Energy, RFS

Massachusetts Town Preps for $4 Mil Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

A Massachusetts town is making final preparations for a $4 million biodiesel plant. This story from WWLP 22News says hundreds of families in the town of Greenfield have invested in the Co-op Power project. The plant will be able to collect and recycle used cooking oil to produce 3 and half million gallons of biodiesel fuel per year. That fuel …

Biodiesel

Report Details Use of Biodiesel in Heating Oil

John Davis

A new report details how biodiesel could play a significant role in heating oil in the U.S. The congressionally mandated report, titled, “Developing a Renewable Biofuel Option for the Home Heating Sector” from the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) says ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO) has been one of the biggest transitions in heating oil, and biodiesel blends at 20 …

Biodiesel