Some biodiesel plants in North Dakota could be enjoying new operations incentives, if a proposed bill passes that state’s legislature and gains the governor’s signature. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead reports the measure, currently before the state legislature’s Energy Development and Transmission Committee, would give up to $1.5 million in incentives annually: The amount would be determined by multiplying the number …
BlueFire Ethanol Rebrands as BlueFire Renewables
BlueFire Ethanol Fuels is rebranding itself as BlueFire Renewables “to more clearly illustrate the company’s vast capabilities in renewable energy,” according to the company. “BlueFire is more than just an ethanol company. We’re happy to at last announce the expansion of our capabilities, and feel that this name captures our spirit for innovation and development of cleaner alternatives to fossil …
Who Are the Next Biofuels IPOs?
On the heels of their great story yesterday on the investment in algal-biodiesel players PetroAlgae and Solazyme (not to mention Joanna’s piece on Gevo preparing for a $150 million IPO), our friends over at Biofuels Digest have put together a list of the top 10 most likely next IPOs in the biofuels sector. The list includes many Domestic Fuel regulars, …
NBB, Marketers Welcome Biodiesel Heating Bill Signing
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has made it official, signing a bill that will require all diesel heating oil in the city contain at least 2 percent biodiesel: “The final bill before me today is Introductory Number 194-A … [which] will significantly reduce pollution, promote the use of alternative fuels, create new ‘green’ jobs and vastly improve air quality …
Investments Spark Speculation on Algal-Biodiesel
Recent multi-million dollar investments in algae-biofuel companies ($200 million IPO for PetroAlgae and $52 million to help commercialize Solazyme) is fueling some speculation of its own on how soon algae-based biofuels, in particular, biodiesel, might be available for consumers and when it would be commercially competitive. This article from Biofuel Digest breaks down the “bears” and “bulls” views of these …
First Load of Illinois Plant’s REG Biodiesel Rolls Out
Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) has held a grand re-opening of its Seneca, Illinois biodiesel plant after taking over the 60 million-gallon-a-year biodiesel and glycerin facility from Nova Biosource Fuels. REG celebrated the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony and by selling the first load of REG-9000 biodiesel from the refinery to Meier Oil of Ashkum Illinois last Thursday. The …
USDA Proposes Blending Solar and Wind Power
A USDA scientist believes wind and solar power generating systems could be set up to complement each other. A study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) agricultural engineer Brian Vick at the agency’s Renewable Energy and Manure Management Research Unit in Bushland, Texas says that by using solar power during doldrum days and wind at night could help offset the two …
Camelina for Biodiesel A Good Bet
Camelina continues to show promise as a second-generation feedstock for biodiesel. The feedstock has several advantages including a high oil content, grows on marginal land and needs little to no fertilizer or water. It contains a high amount of Omega-3s and its dried distillers grains have already been approved as cattle feed. Researchers at Penn State have been working with …
Investors Fuel Algae-Biofuel Maker Solazyme with $52M
Algae-biofuel maker Solazyme has garnered $52 million in venture capitol from the likes of Morgan Stanley and Chevron. This article from the New York Times says the San Francisco-based company is using the money to commercialize its green fuel: Solazyme is one of the most successful companies working on algae, along with generously-funded Sapphire Energy. While most of its competitors …
Am. Lung Assoc. in MN to Hold Biodiesel Workshops
Just about everything in this country moves by a truck, train or barge running on diesel. The folks up in Minnesota, with their first-in-the-nation biodiesel mandate, are holding some workshops to show just how important the green version of diesel … biodiesel … is: To help people better understand recent changes in diesel fuels and engines, and the growing role …