DF Cast: Oil Vs. Biofuels – Can’t We All Just Get Along?

John Davis

It seems like they’re natural enemies – biofuels producers, particularly biodiesel and ethanol, versus Big Oil, as each competes for a place in the gas tanks of vehicles in America and around the world. But does there really need to be such enmity between the two, with biofuels producers accusing oil companies of trying to derail increased ethanol and biodiesel …

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Domestic Fuel Cast, Ethanol

SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel Works with Seattle Bigwigs

John Davis

SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel is teaming up with some pretty prominent companies in the Seattle area to turn used cooking oil into biodiesel. This column by the company in Biodiesel Magazine says it partnered with CenturyLink Field, Pike Place Market, Safeco Field, Taco Time Corp. and the University of Washington to create a closed-loop production cycle: In 2012, SeQuential-Pacific recycled enough oil …

Biodiesel

CME to Offer Biodiesel, Ethanol RIN Futures Contracts

John Davis

Trader CME Group will be offering nine new futures contracts for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) for biodiesel and ethanol, among other renewables. This company news release says they’ll be listed by and subject to the rules and regulations of NYMEX. “With the recent increase in volatility in RINs prices, we’ve seen strong interest from our customers and other market participants …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, RFS, RINS

Biodiesel Key in Wash. State DOT Sustainable Energy

John Davis

In honor of Earth Week, the Washington State Department of Transportation has outlined some key points in how to have a clean, sustainable supply of energy. And a couple of items from the top of the list of things the department is doing itself include biodiesel: Some recent WSDOT initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and conserve natural resources include: * …

Biodiesel, Government

Princess Cruises Honored for Biodiesel Efforts

John Davis

With the tag line of “escape completely,” Princess Cruises looks like it’s trying to escape to a more environmentally friendly fuel: biodiesel. This company news release says it has been honored by the Port of Seattle with a Gold Level Green Gateway Award for the line’s environmental stewardship, including turnings ships’ used cooking oil into biodiesel. “We’re gratified that the …

Biodiesel

Producing Biodiesel from E. Coli

John Davis

Researchers in the United Kingdom have figured out how to produce biodiesel from E. coli bacteria. This news release from the University of Exeter says the work with Shell Oil makes a product almost exactly the same as petroleum diesel, removing any blend limits other biodiesel forms might require: Professor John Love from Biosciences at the University of Exeter said: …

Biodiesel, International, Research

Lee Consulting: Alternative Energy Knowledge Center

Joanna Schroeder

Have a question about renewable energy? Then look no further than Lee Enterprises Consulting based in Sherwood, Arkansas and your go-to guy, Wayne Lee. Lee has been a consultant for nearly 30 years and about a decade ago, began expanding his expertise into biofuels as people began coming to him with questions. He said he began fairly small with the …

Alternative energy, Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Renewable Energy, Solar, Wind

Indonesia, EU to Meet Over Biodiesel Subsidies

John Davis

Indonesian and European Union (EU) officials will meet to discuss allegations by the EU that Indonesia is illegally subsidizing biodiesel exports to Europe. The Jakarta Post reports says the Indonesians are confident they’ll be cleared of any wrongdoing: An investigation initiated by the European Commission in November said that Indonesia had illegally subsidized its biodiesel producers. The EU has accused …

Biodiesel, International

Kinder Morgan to Blend Biodiesel in Las Vegas, Phoenix

John Davis

Energy company Kinder Morgan has announced it will soon start blending biodiesel at its Las Vegas and Phoenix terminals. This Reuters article says the company made the decision based, in part, on the upswing in Renewable Identification Numbers values: The company is benefitting from a spike in the price of renewable credits, known as RINs. The move is “positive for …

Biodiesel, RINS

Ten Ways Renewable Fuels are Enviro

Joanna Schroeder

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has unveiled a list of 10 ways the renewable fuels industry is helping to improve the environment. According to IRFA, renewable fuels offer positive impacts on the environment compared to petroleum-based counterparts. “Renewable fuels make our planet a better place to live with healthier air and water, and that’s exactly what Earth Day is …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Environment, Ethanol, Iowa RFA