Nearly 120 biodiesel companies and affiliated businesses are calling on President Obama to stand behind his past support of their industry. This news release from the National Biodiesel Board says the group sent the White House a letter outlining the extensive damage that would result from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) current Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) proposal, which would set …
Voluntary Quality Control Pays Off for Biodiesel
A voluntary quality control program is paying dividends to the biodiesel industry as it has helped maintain high standards for the green fuel, and in turn, kept demand up for it. This article from Biodiesel Magazine says the BQ-9000 programs help those selling and using biodiesel. “Implementing BQ-9000 and getting accredited is a lot of work, but we find following …
Microbes Future for Biodiesel, Hydrogen Cells
Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) looks to turn microbes into the next big thing for biodiesel and hydrogen fuel cells. This story from MIT says scientists at the school are looking to capture energy that might be flushed away in wastewater. “Even if you could get only a fraction of that back, you could offset the amount …
Brazil Upping Biodiesel Blend Requirement
More biodiesel will be blended into fuel used in Brazil. This story from Reuters says the South American country will up its biodiesel mandate to 6 percent in July and to 7 percent in November, a rise from the current 5 percent biodiesel blend with diesel. “The increase in the biodiesel blend will allow Brazil to substitute the import of …
Forum Offers Info on RFS2, RINs and Biodiesel
A forum this fall will offer information on the policy and economic drivers of biofuels supply and demand, and there’s just a few days to register for the early bird rate. OPIS is offering its 6th annual RFS2, RINs and Biodiesel Forum, Oct. 16-17, 2014 in Chicago, in order to help you know more about a range of topics, from …
Biodiesel Grant Looks to Improve GHG Science
A new grant looks to improve the science and understanding behind greenhouse gas (GHG) modeling to show how biodiesel helps the economy while adding security benefits. This piece from Biodiesel Magazine says the National Biodiesel Foundation (NBF) grant to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) to study the science behind GHG modeling will help quantifying the environmental benefits biodiesel is able …
U of Washington’s Biodiesel/Electric Hybrid Car
Talk about the best of both worlds – University of Washington students have designed and re-engineered a car to run on electricity AND biodiesel. This article from the Seattle Times says the team recently showed off the vehicle to a group of local elementary school students, who had lots of questions and seemed thoroughly impressed. How much could you sell …
Biodiesel Powers New Season of Cog Railway
A summer tradition in New England is getting a new, clean power source. This story from New Hampshire Public Radio says Mount Washington’s Cog Railway has a new biodiesel engine to power the unique railway up the highest peak in the Northeast. The popular tourist attraction is also rolling out a new biodiesel engine during the holiday weekend. The new …
Airline Industry Looks to Renewable Diesel
In an effort to become more green in the blue skies, the airline industry could turn to renewable diesel. This article in The Motley Fool says as the industry looks to lower its share of greenhouse gas emissions … about 2 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions currently comes from jet airliners … a more sustainable source of jet fuel …
Using Ethanol from Glycerol for Biodiesel
A new process that eliminates fossil fuels completely from the biodiesel equation could make the green fuel even more sustainable. Michigan State University reports Gemma Reguera, MSU microbiologist, has found a way that uses microbes to glean ethanol from glycerol and then use that green fuel to replace methanol to help brew the biodiesel. “With a saturated glycerol market, traditional …