The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) appears to be a bit partisan in a new report released this week on “Options for Reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard.” The report was produced after several meetings during the year with an advisory group that consisted of 23 members, seven of which were oil companies representatives. Only five members of the group represented agriculture …
Senate Passes Tax Extenders
Following the recent action by the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate on Tuesday evening passed the package of tax incentives for 2014 that will expire once again in just two weeks. For the renewable energy industry, the legislation includes the second-generation biofuel production tax credit and the accelerated depreciation allowance for cellulosic biomass properties, as well as tax credits …
Wyoming Biodiesel, CNG, Electric Drivers Could Face Tax
Possibly trying to prove that no good deed goes unpunished, drivers of biodiesel-, compressed natural gas-, and electric-powered vehicles in Wyoming could face a new road tax. This article from the Jackson Hole News & Guide says a tax on alternative fuels is pending in the state’s legislature. Most Wyoming drivers pay 24 cents tax at the pump for gasoline; …
Performance Standards for Biodiesel Heating Oil Set
New performance standards are set for biodiesel heating oil, better known as Bioheat. This news release from the National Biodiesel Board says ASTM International, an organization which sets industry consensus standards for fuels and lubricants, has voted to approve performance specifications for blends of 6 to 20 percent biodiesel with traditional heating oil. The updated ASTM D396 Standard Specification for …
REG Finishes Upgrades to Iowa Biodiesel Plant
Renewable Energy Group has finished upgrades to its Newton, Iowa biorefinery. This company news release says the 30-million gallon nameplate plant in Newton, Iowa, will produce an even higher purity biomass-based diesel from a wider variety of raw materials. “Enhancing REG Newton’s distillation and processing capabilities strengthens our lower-cost, multi-feedstock biomass-based diesel business and provides customers with more fuel options …
New Iowa RFA Officers
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today announced its Board of Directors, Officers and Executive Committee for 2015, elected at last week’s annual meeting. New officers will serve a one-year term during the 2015 calendar year. The new officers are: President Brian Cahill, Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy Vice President Tom Brooks, Western Dubuque Biodiesel Treasurer Eamonn Byrne, Plymouth Energy Secretary …
Philippines Looks to Increase Biodiesel Blends
Government officials in the Philippines are looking to increase biodiesel blends in the coming year. This article from Business World says that country’s Department of Energy (DoE) is hopeful the country will be able to move from a 2 percent to 5 percent blend in 2015 and possibly up to a 20 percent blend by 2030. “We are still considering …
MN Company Finds Cheaper Way to Brew Biodiesel
A company in Minnesota has found a way to brew biodiesel cheaper and more efficiently. This article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune says Superior Process Technologies figured out how to refine grease, tallow and other waste oils into biodiesel and hopes to take the process to a commercial level. Superior Process engineers Kirk Cobb and Joe Valdespino, whose innovations draw …
DOE Honors Alabama Clean Cities Leaders
Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition Executive Director Mark Bentley and President Phillip Wiedmeyer have been honored for their work in making Alabama cities cleaner places to live, work and play by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). National Clean Cities Co-Director Linda Bluestein recently inducted the pair into the Clean Cities Hall of Fame where representatives from nearly 100 Clean Cities …
Ontario Biodiesel Plant to go to Highest Bidder
A Southern Ontario biodiesel plant is going on the auction block. This article from Canada’s Sun News says the $50-million Great Lakes Biodiesel (GLB) plant went receivership and will be sold to the highest bidder. It’s the latest chapter in the rocky history of Great Lakes Biodiesel, which opened the production facility in Welland at the end of 2012 to …