New data from the Iowa Department of Revenue shows major growth in the use of higher-level blends of ethanol and biodiesel in 2013. The report showed 2013 sales of pure biodiesel (B100) increased 24 percent over 2012, setting a new record of 28.9 million gallons. Biodiesel also saw a 21 percent increase in blended gallons sold, with immense growth in …
NC Company Partners with Schools for Biodiesel
A North Carolina company that makes biodiesel from used cooking oil is now expanding to put more than green fuel in school buses. Company officials now want to put green bucks also back into the school systems. This story from WRAL says Green Circle NC collects old cooking oil from area restaurants and sells it to biodiesel companies and is …
UCO-for-Biodiesel Workshop Slated for July
U.S. makers of biodiesel from used cooking oil (UCO) will be able to learn how to get their green fuel into the European marketplace. The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), the global leader in certifying UCO and other feedstocks for the European biofuels market, holds a workshop on the subject July 8th in Chicago. “In order for feedstocks to …
NE Energy Event Features Biodiesel Heating Oil
Attendees of a recent energy, petroleum and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) industry tradeshow in the Northeast U.S. got to hear a lot more about biodiesel used as heating oil, better known as Bioheat. The National Biodiesel Board helped feature the green heating fuel at the Atlantic Region Energy Expo, considered the most significant energy event in that area. …
Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel Imports Hit Record
The U.S. is importing more biodiesel and renewable diesel than ever before. This report from the Energy Information Agency (EIA) says in 2013, the U.S. imported 525 million gallons of the green fuels, compared to just 61 million gallons in 2012. The strongest driver of the resurgence in U.S. biomass-based diesel demand was the increasing Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) target. …
Ag Subcommittee Hears Pros and Cons of RFS
The food versus fuel debate arose once again in front of Congress. At last week’s U.S. House Ag Subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C., opponents and proponents of the Renewable Fuels Standard presented their arguments on the RFS and its impact on the livestock industry. One of the biggest opponents of the RFS is the poultry industry. Their members argued that …
2012 Ag Census Includes Renewable Energy
The 2012 Census of Agriculture shows a doubling of on-farm renewable energy production since 2007. According to the census data released by USDA today, there were 57,299 farms that produced on-farm renewable energy in 2012, more than double the 23,451 in 2007. By far the biggest was solar panels, used on over 36,000 farms. Geoexchange systems and wind turbines each …
Farmers Co-op Breaks Ground on Renewable Fuels Station
Farmers Cooperative Company has broken ground on the future site of its new Mount Ayr, Iowa renewable fuels retail location. The station will offer consumers higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel including ethanol blends E10, E15 as a registered fuel, E30 and E85, as well as biodiesel blends B10, B20 and B99 for jobbers and special use customers. “The price …
A Lighter Version of Biodiesel-Powered Land Cruiser
You might not be able to take it four-wheeling, but a lighter version of a biodiesel-powered Land Cruiser could help you get through a long day at your desk. Autoevolution reports Toyota is offering a paper model of its legendary vehicle, just right for killing time deep thinking sessions as you come up with big ideas for your boss. Toyota …
Checkoff Targets Big Yields for Biodiesel Feedstock
A farmers’ checkoff is targeting research to get bigger yields for this country’s primary feedstock for biodiesel. This story from Biodiesel Magazine says the United Soybean Board wants to increase average soybean yields by about 50 percent in the decade. “Yield research has been the center of checkoff research since the organization was established,” said Gregg Fujan, who leads the …