The next fields for biodiesel feedstocks could be underneath our streets. Environmental Protection Online reports that new research shows that municipal sludge would be a feedstock that would be nearly cost-competitive with diesel from petroleum: Author David M. Kargbo, Ph.D., with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3’s Office of Innovation, Environmental Assessment & Innovation Division, points out that demand for …
Levin, Baucus Put Biodiesel Credit in Unemployment Bill
Legislation that would reinstate the federal $1-a-gallon tax credit for biodiesel has been attached to a new bill would extend unemployment benefits. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander Levin (D-Michigan) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana) introduced the measure today: The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the $1.00 per gallon production tax credit for …
NY’s Cabrini Terrace Goes Green With Biodiesel
There are still victories for biodiesel despite the delay in passing the tax incentive. This week, Cabrini Terrace, a 217 unit co-op located in Manhattan, NY is getting a little greener with its switch from traditional heating oil to METRO’s Greenheat. Greenheat is a blend of heating oil and biodiesel, with the biodiesel, in part, made from recycled restaurant grease. …
Study: How Biofuel Chemicals React When Burned
A new research paper involving researchers from North Carolina State University (NC State) offers insights into how biofuel chemicals react when burned. The study, “Biofuel combustion chemistry: from ethanol to biodiesel,” was conducted as an effort to help pave the way for the development of new biofuels and technologies to maximize energy efficiency while minimizing environmental and human health risks. …
Rice U. Recognized for Biodiesel By-Product Research
A Rice University researcher has been recognized for his work on the biodiesel by-product glycerin. Biodiesel Magazine reports that Dr. Ramon Gonzalez has picked up the 2010 Glycerin Innovation Award sponsored by the Soap and Detergent Association and the National Biodiesel Board at the Annual Meeting & Expo of the American Oil Chemists’ Society for his work using a non-pathogenic …
DF Cast: Biodiesel Producers Reiterate Call for Incentive
Biodiesel producers, large and small, have renewed their call for Congress to move on the federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax incentive. During a recent webinar hosted by the National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe, Bernie Crowley of Delta American Fuel in Helena, Ark.; Gen-X Energy Group in Pasco, Washington President Scott Johnson; Bobby Heiser with Nittany Biodiesel; and Renewable Energy Group’s …
NextCAT’s Technology Could Cut Biodiesel Costs
A Detroit-based technology company is looking to help make biodiesel more competitive in the marketplace. Xconomy/Detroit says NextCAT wants to make a catalyst that will help convert some of the cheaper feedstocks, such as algae and recycled cooking oil, into biodiesel and hopes to get some funding to get the project going: NextCAT, which is located at the TechTown business …
Using Computer Parts to Grow Algae for Biodiesel
Usually, we talk about using high-tech computer programs to help producers get more biodiesel out of their operations. But this time, it’s the low-tech components that are the platforms for growing a feedstock for the green fuel. Treehugger.com has this post about how students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have put together an algae bioreactor called the Bio-Grow …
Biodiesel Producers Plead for Renewal of Tax Credit
Four biodiesel producers from around the nation took their story to the media today, increasing their call for Congress to immediately and retroactively reinstate the federal biodiesel tax incentive which was allowed to expire five months ago. The producers included a small family operation in Arkansas, an energy group in Washington state, a plant that is laying off people in …
San Antonio Airport Shuttles Run On Biodiesel
Three rental car companies at the San Antonio, Texas airport have decided to combine their efforts and run their shuttles on biodiesel. The San Antonio Business Journal says Alamo Rent A Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental are sharing shuttles, cutting the combined fleets from 16 to seven vehicles: All of the shuttle buses are also being fueled by …