The head of the nation’s biggest biodiesel lobbying group is renewing his call for Washington to retroactively reinstate the federal biodiesel tax incentive … and it’s unacceptable how long the industry and country has had to go with the credit. Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board told energy leaders at the Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Institute national conference …
Canadian Utility Tests Biodiesel in Extreme Cold
A Canadian power company is funding testing of biodiesel in extreme cold condiitons to see if the green fuel will perform and how well it will hold up to long-term storage under those conditions. This press release from Manitoba Hydro says the utility has partnered with Natural Resources Canada’s National Renewable Diesel Demonstration Initiative (NRDDI) in the $340,000 project testing …
Biodiesel Plant Layoffs Prompt Renewed Call for Action
Another day, more jobs lost due to Congress’ inaction on renewing the $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel tax credit. This time, it’s the Maple River Energy biodiesel plant near Galva, Iowa. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association says 12 of the facility’s 18 employees are being laid off until the biodiesel blenders credit is reinstated: Delayne Johnson, General Manager of Maple River Energy, …
Congratulations! It’s a Biodiesel!
The same technology that lets expectant moms and dads know whether it’s a boy or girl in the womb could help biodiesel makers deliver their product quicker. Discovery News reports that researchers at the University of Missouri’s Agricultural Engineering department are using ultrasounds to speed up the production process from several hours to just a few minutes: [Assistant Professor Bulent] …
ASA: Soybeans Can Provide Food, Fuel & Jobs
The American Soybean Association says soybeans can provide the food this country needs, while also producing an important fuel in the form of biodiesel. And that means more jobs. Southeast Farm Press reports, in comments to the National Research Council’s Committee on Economic and Environmental Impacts of Increasing Biofuels Production, the ASA says biodiesel made from soybean oil can play …
Is Glycerin from Biodiesel Kosher?
An interesting issue has come up with a by-product of biodiesel and whether it meets strict Jewish dietary laws. Glycerin, made plentiful from what used to be ramped-up biodiesel production, is now being used in a variety of foods. Sweet, natural glycerin is being used in many food products. And Autobloggreen says the fact that the glycerin could be coming …
ND to Hold Ethanol Workshop
The workshop is one of many that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is leading to inform industry, public and private fleet personnel, government employees, fuel retailers and providers, vehicle manufacturers and students on biodiesel, ethanol, natural gas, propane, fuel economy and idle reduction. The workshops are part of the Clean Transportation Education Project (CTEP) — a 2 year initiative …
Gulf Oil Spill Could Shape Biodiesel’s Future
While the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has had no measurable effect on the petroleum markets, it could end up having an impact on the biodiesel industry in this country. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is pouring thousands of gallons of oil into coastal ecosystems and has been designated as an event “of national significance” by President …
Colorado Biodiesel & CO2 Projects Get Federal Grants
A pair of projects in Colorado to help develop renewable energy will be getting some federal money. The Denver Post reports $9.1 million in U.S. Department of Energy grants are hoped to create jobs and speed innovation: OPX Biotechnologies Inc. will receive $6 million to engineer microorganisms to use renewable hydrogen and carbon-dioxide inputs for producing a biodiesel-equivalent fuel at …
Farm Bureau Supports Extending Biofuel Tax Incentives
Tax incentives play a key role in the development and production of renewable energy, and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is urging Congress to pass two bills that would extend renewable fuel tax credits for five years. In a statement presented for the record to a House Ways and Means Committee hearing this week on energy tax incentives, AFBF …