Iowa Biodiesel Mandate Still Alive

John Davis

As if to borrow a line from Monty Python, the Iowa biodiesel mandate is “not dead yet!” The 5 percent biodiesel blend for every gallon of diesel sold in the state, although declared dead by many in the media (including yours truly), seems to be marching on. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the B5 legislation cleared the state Senate last …

Biodiesel, Legislation

Biodiesel Credit Gets New Life

John Davis

It looks like the federal biodiesel tax credit that expired at the end of last year could have new life. An extension of the $1-a-gallon blenders credit has been attached to the new, $150 billion American Workers, State and Business Relief Act, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.). Biodiesel Magazine reports that the …

Biodiesel, Legislation

Book Review – Biodiesel America

Joanna Schroeder

Since the biodiesel industry is in a struggle for the extension of its $1 per gallon tax credit, I thought I’d spend some time learning more about biodiesel. This week, I read “Biodiesel America,” by Josh Tickell, who also produced the award winning film, “FUEL.” While the book is a tad bit dated (it was published in 2006) the basic …

Biodiesel, book reviews

Biodiesel Turns Sesame Street Green

John Davis

Sunny days … and biodiesel … will be sweeping the clouds … and the smog … away as the studio that produces Sesame Street will switch to the green fuel for heat. The New York Daily News reports Kaufman Astoria Studios just became the greenest studio in town as it switches from traditional heating oil to “Greenheat,” a new blend …

algae, Biodiesel

Iowa Biodiesel Mandate Dies, But Could Be Reborn

John Davis

A proposal to mandate a 5 percent biodiesel blend in every gallon of diesel sold in Iowa has died in one legislative committee … but could be reborn in another. The Fort Dodge (IA) Messenger reports that the House environmental protection committee’s ranking member, Rep. Steve Olson, R-DeWitt, declared the bill dead: Olson said the GOP caucus was opposed to …

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

Petroleum Company Buying Indiana Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

Indiana-based e-biofuels, LLC is being sold to Imperial Petroleum, Inc. This press release posted on MarketWatch.com says Imperial will keep on e-biofuels principal management and make the 15-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel maker a wholly-owned subsidiary of Imperial: “We’re very excited about e-biofuels and its management joining our Company,” said Jeffrey T. Wilson, President of Imperial. “Through our research and development efforts over …

Biodiesel

Ford Unveils Biodiesel-Compatible F-Series Truck

John Davis

The new Ford F-Series Super Duty truck will be able to run on a 20 percent blend of biodiesel. This article from Fleet Owner says the 2011 model year also features an optional Ford-designed and built 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel rated at 390 hp and 735 ft-lbs torque … making green and mean: Ed Waszczenko, Ford lead engine durability …

Biodiesel, Car Makers

Propel Fuels’ E85 for 85 Cents Event Draws Attention

Joanna Schroeder

Earlier this week, my colleague posted a story about Propel Fuels’ E85 promotion that took place on February 24 and several of its stations in Sacramento. It was a big success, drawing quite a bit of attention from both consumers and the media alike. Biofuels enthusiast, Paul Wikoff participated in the event and sent DomestcFuel some photos including one of …

Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol, Promotion

New Ideas for Funding Sustainable Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

If you did a survey among the biofuels industry and asked if the funding programs for biofuels research and development were working, most would say no. Actually, many outside of the industry would say no. As the country continues forward on the federal goals set out in the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) things will need to change if we’re going …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol

Obama Changes Tune from Biodiesel to Biofuels

John Davis

Some others have started to notice something I told you about back in January. It seems that while he campaigned on the word “biodiesel,” President Barack Obama is now talking “biofuels” … a more ambiguous term that is leaving some biodiesel producers scratching their heads wondering whether the president backs them. This piece from Biodiesel Magazine points out that Stimulus …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Government, Opinion