The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has released a Top 10 list of efficiency and technology innovations of the past decade. IRFA Vice President and Absolute Energy CEO Rick Schwarck noted that while a lot has been written about the ethanol and biodiesel industry since the passing of the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2005, not enough focus has been on …
Biofuel Groups File Brief in RFS Challenge
Seven biofuel organizations filed a brief Tuesday in a case by the American Petroleum Institute challenging the 2012 cellulosic and advanced biofuel requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The groups include the Advanced Biofuels Association, the Advanced Ethanol Council, the American Coalition for Ethanol, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, Growth Energy, the National Biodiesel Board, and the Renewable Fuels Association. …
Tom Slunecka Joins Minnesota Soybean Growers
Tom Slunecka has been named the new executive director for the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) and Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. Prior to taking the helm of the soybean team on August 27, 2012, Slunecka was the vice president of marketing for PhibroChem where he focused on ethanol and animal agriculture. He also served as the executive director of the organization …
IRFA Renews Safety Alliance
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has renewed its safety alliance with the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Iowa OSHA) for two years. The partnership is designed for the two organizations, through IRFA’s Safety Task Force, to explore best management practices and improve the recognition and control of workplace hazards in ethanol and biodiesel plants throughout Iowa. “The safety …
EPA: 100 Million Gallons of Biodiesel Produced in July
The latest numbers from the EPA show that biodiesel makers produced 100 million gallons of the green fuel during July, down a bit from June’s numbers of 112 million gallons but still possibly on pace to surpass last year’s record production. Year-to-date production figures show just under 658 million gallons of biodiesel through the end of the month. Last year, …
UC Davis Works to Develop Renewable Diesel Fuels
Researchers at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) located at University of California, Riverside, are working to develop diesel formulations with higher levels of renewable biofuels. The research supports the goal of California to reduce emissions in fuels and lower greenhouse gases. So far, researchers have evaluated the potential impacts of using biodiesel in diesel sold in the …
Getting More Products From Soybeans
During the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society a new integrated soybean biorefinery was revealed. The technology is designed to create a wider portfolio of products from soybeans. “Mention soybeans to most people, and they immediately think of the oil,” said Ramani Narayan, Michigan State (MSU) University Distinguished Professor, who reported on the new biorefinery technology. “Soybean …
Propel Fuels Jumps Onto Inc. 500 List
Propel Fuels has been named to Inc. Magazine’s annual “Inc. 500” list of American’s fastest growing private companies. During the past three years, the company has grown more than 1,000 percent making them the 17th fastest growing company in the energy sector and 352nd overall. Today Propel operates 28 fueling locations along the west coast with plans for at least …
World Ethanol Market Projected to Reach 27.7B Gallons
The world ethanol market is projected to reach 27.7 billion gallons by the end of 2012 according to a new report, “Biofuels – A Global Strategic Business Report,” conducted by Global Industry Analysts. The growth, says the report, is due to skyrocketing crude prices, continued concerns over environmental pollution and the switch to biofuels. In addition, worldwide emission standards, biofuels …
KiOR Receives EPA Renewable Diesel Registration
Cellulosic biofuel maker KiOR, Inc. has received Part 79 registration for its Renewable Diesel Blendstock 5 by the EPA. The registration, required by manufacturers of motor vehicle fuels by the EPA, must be completed prior to the sale of the product. “Part 79 registration for our cellulosic diesel marks another important milestone for KiOR and the renewable fuels industry,” said …