Sales of German biodiesel dropped dramatically last year. Germany’s Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP), an association that advocates for oil and protein crops in that country, says 300,000 fewer tonnes of biodiesel were produced in 2013, down from the previous five-year average of 2.5 million tonnes to just 2.2 million tonnes. UFOP has determined that the actual …
Celebrating Biodiesel Day Advocating for Green Fuel
While yesterday was National Biodiesel Day, our friends at the National Biodiesel Board were not just cutting birthday cake. They were advocating on Capitol Hill for the green fuel. March 18th marks the 156th birthday of Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the engine that bears his name and a man who wanted it to run on peanut oil, not petroleum. …
Iowa Biodiesel Board Gets New Leader
The new executive director for the Iowa Biodiesel Board started his new job on National Biodiesel Day. The Iowa Biodiesel Board named Grant Kimberley, formally Iowa Soybean Association director of market development, as its new executive director. Kimberley succeeds Randy Olson, who accepted a position earlier this year with the U.S. Soybean Export Council. Kimberly was pleased to start his …
Celebrating National Biodiesel Day
Yesterday we celebrated the patron saint of Ireland – today it is the patron saint of biodiesel. National Biodiesel Day is celebrated on March 18, which is the birth date of Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the engine that bears his name. He would be 156 years old today, but he died a century ago last September, disappearing from a ship …
Old Pipeline Could Get New Life Carrying Biodiesel
An old pipeline in Hawaii originally used to transport petroleum-based asphalt could get a new life carrying biodiesel. This article from the Hawaii Tribune-Herald says the state Board of Land and Natural Resources is considering whether to allow the Shell Oil pipeline built in the 1960s at Hilo Harbor to carry the green fuel. A new company, Hoku Kai Biofuels …
Minnesota Biodiesel Mandate Survives Delay Attempt
A bill that would have delayed implementation of a 10 percent biodiesel mandate in Minnesota diesel fuels was stopped in a state legislative committee. This story from WDAZ-TV says the bill from Sen. Melisa Franzen, D-Edina, was defeated overwhelmingly in the state Senate Commerce Committee. She said most cars and light trucks are built to handle 5 percent biodiesel, which …
NYC’s First Large-Scale Biodiesel Plant Coming
The first large-scale biodiesel in New York City could soon become a reality. This article from the New York World says former Republican mayoral candidate and Gristedes magnate John Catsimatidis is resurrecting the Metro Fuel Oil project. Catsimatidis-owned United Biofuels is seeking approval from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a permit to convert an existing fuel-storage …
Beers Greened with Biodiesel for St. Pat’s Day
Today is St. Patrick’s Day, and of course, in pubs, bars and restaurants across the country (and the globe), patrons will be toasting the Irish saint and the Emerald Isle with a green beer or two (or many, many more). Why not make your choice a truly green beer and not just one colored with food dye? This article from …
Aruba to Get Methes Energies Biodiesel Maker
A biodiesel producer on the tropical island of Aruba is going to the Great White North to get its biodiesel maker. Ontario-based Methes Energies International Ltd. is building a Denami 600 for Antilla Energy VBA (formally known as BioFuel Aruba) to brew biodiesel from local waste cooking oil. Nicholas Ng, President of Methes Energies, said, “We’re very excited about this …
EPA “Add-Up” for RFS & Biodiesel Tax Credit
The government’s proposed change in how to figure biodiesel and ethanol use for purposes of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could end up being a boost for the green fuels. This analysis from the University of Illinois looks at how the EPA’s method of “adding-up” the market potential for E10 and E85 ethanol, biodiesel and other non-ethanol fuels changes how …