As we sit on the eve of Earth Day (Friday, April 22, 2011), our friends at the National Biodiesel Board have pointed out several tourist destinations that are friendly to the environment by using the green fuel biodiesel: “Green tourism is more popular than ever, and biodiesel’s ease-of-use and greenhouse gas reductions have made it a big part of that …
Twin Cities Clean City Coalition Top Gas Use Reducer
The U.S. Department of Energy has released a national ranking of Clean Cities programs that have had the most impact in the reduction of gasoline use. At the top of the list is the Saint-Paul-based Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition. The group has been instrumental in a reduction of 135,175,133 cumulative gallons of gas displaced between 2005-2009. The release was …
Iowa State Develops Biodiesel, Ethanol Plant Simulator
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a simulator that allows them to replicate all the functions of biodiesel and ethanol plants. According to this article from the school, the I-BOS (the Interactive Biorefinery Operations Simulator) will help students in Iowa State’s biorenewable resources and technology program learn about biofuel production, as well as helping the biofuel industry train employees: …
“Gashole” Offers Biodiesel as Part of Energy Solution
A new film released this week offers biodiesel as part of the solution for this country’s energy woes. The documentary “Gashole” (gotta love the name!), according to reviews and trailers, sees the green fuel as David taking on the petroleum Goliath. One of the reviews from Variety posted on the film’s website: Conspiracy theorizing, though, is kept to a relative …
Biodiesel Part of Army’s Sustainability Scorecard
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has released its fiscal year 2010 scorecard on sustainability and energy performance, and biodiesel is part of the goals in this scorecard. This Army press release says the service is identifying the best ways to reduce pollution, improve efficiency, and cut costs, and testing the green fuel in the Corps’ floating plant fleet …
USDA & EPA Tour REG Biodiesel Plant in Newton, IA
Renewable Energy Group (REG) executives hosted USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson as well as leaders from the ethanol industry at their REG Newton biorefinery to discuss the role of advanced biofuels in meeting the President’s energy independence goals. Also on hand for the event were representatives from Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) and POET. Both …
Bay Area Fueler to Offer Local Biodiesel on Earth Day
A San Francisco Bay Area biodiesel producer will offer its locally produced green fuel starting this Friday, April 22, Earth Day. Sirona Fuels says the biodiesel will save consumers more than 25 cents a gallon compared to petroleum diesel, and local businesses that recycle their used cooking oil with Sirona Fuels, 20 percent of the sale price biodiesel goes to …
GROWMARK Terminal Provides Homegrown Fuels
GROWMARK is providing more homegrown fuels for members and area businesses around central Illinois. The regional agricultural supply company bought the Menard Terminal from Magellan Midstream Partners in 2008 and today it handles gasoline, diesel, ethanol and biodiesel for FS members within a 120 mile radius, in addition to non-member companies like Casey’s and Thornton’s. Terminal Manager Pete Nance says …
Tidewater Biodiesel Gets Green Light on Proposed Plant
A proposed biodiesel plant in Virginia has gotten a boost after a city commission gave it a green light to proceed. The Virginian-Pilot reports that the Chesapeake city planning commission gave Tidewater Biodiesel a conditional-use permit for a 10-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant: Wednesday night, residents spoke in support of the project, with one opposed to the potential detriment to home values …
Recovering Biodiesel Plant Faces New Foe: Tax Man
Since we’re rapidly approaching tax deadline day, it seems only appropriate to talk about taxes and biodiesel. A Maryland biodiesel plant recovering from a devastating explosion that killed a worker in 2008 and the struggles the biodiesel industry in general has faced in the past couple of years is now facing a new foe: the tax man. This story from …