One of the big winners in the recent passage of the $1 trillion Farm Bill was the reauthorization of the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) and the biodiesel-based heating fuel, Bioheat. This article from Biodiesel Magazine says the five-year extension of the program will boost Bioheat in this country. The new bill encourages greater research on Bioheat with the goal …
IRFA: Obama Misses Chance to Help Biodiesel
As President Obama unveiled his FY 2015 Budget Proposal, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) says he missed his chance to level the playing field for biodiesel. IRFA Policy Director Grant Menke points out that while the President included the reinstatements of several currently expired tax provisions, such as tax credits for cellulosic biofuel and wind energy production, he seemed …
EPA Biodiesel Proposal, Tax Credit Priorities for ASA
Soybean growers attending the recent Commodity Classic see the government’s proposal to cut biodiesel and the expiration of the federal biodiesel tax credit as their top priorities to take on this year. At a news conference at the annual meeting of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers in San Antonio, American Soybean Association (ASA) Chairman Danny Murphy, a grower from …
Biodiesel Mini-Refineries Could Help Rural Areas
While the trend is to build big, commercial-sized biodiesel refineries, a smaller business model might be what some rural communities need. This article from inArkansas.com tells the story of a refrigerator-sized biodiesel microbrewery that could turn 870,000 acres of farmland near the Delta town of DeWitt into the green fuel. The box is a miniature biorefinery. It turns waste vegetable …
Up and Downstream Thoughts on Biodiesel Finishing
There are some varying lines of thought when it comes to cleansing and polishing biodiesel, especially whether to do it upstream or downstream in the process. This story from Biodiesel Magazine lays out some of the pros and cons for both. “In many cases, it’s a better solution to fix problems at their source rather than to treat the symptoms,” …
Targray Selling Biodiesel From California Terminal
California-based biodiesel supplier Targray is now selling the green fuel from Bakersfield, Calif. This company news release says B99 and B100 are being sold to a growing market in the state. “Targray has been a major supplier of biodiesel by railcar to the California market. We are pleased to take it a step further by providing our customers with this …
Biodiesel Finds Allies at Commodity Classic
Commodity Classic is the annual meeting that attracts more than 7,000 corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum farmers, but it’s also a great place to find biodiesel and ethanol producers. Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) says they make sure to connect with their allies from the commodity groups, especially those soybean growers. “Biodiesel is made from a …
Biodiesel Official Fuel for Delmarva Tractor Pull
The power of biodiesel will be on display next weekend for tractor pull fans in Delaware. According to this story on CapeGazette.com, those attending the very first Delmarva Tractor Pullers Association Super Pull next Saturday and Sunday at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington will feel that biodiesel power rumble deep in their chests. “The Delaware Soybean Board is proud …
Making Sugarcane into the Next Biodiesel Feedstock
Sugarcane could be a better feedstock for biodiesel than soybeans, but it only grows in warm weather areas. But researchers at the University of Illinois believe they have a way to grow what could be a rich, oil-producing variety of sugarcane in colder climates. “Biodiesel is attractive because, for example, with soybean, once you’ve pressed the oil out it’s fairly …
Rapeseed King of Europe’s Biodiesel Feedstock
Soybeans might rule the roost as far as biodiesel feedstocks in the U.S. goes, but in Europe, rapeseed is king. A new study from the UFOP (Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V. – Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants) shows that rapeseed makes up nearly 90 percent of the material used to produce biodiesel in …