A biodiesel-fueled boat that set the world record for circumnavigating the globe (see my post from June 27, 2008) has been sunk by a vessel accompanying Japanese whaling ships. According to WCJB World News, the Earthrace (now owned by the environmental organization Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and renamed the Ady Gil), a 79-foot “batmobile-looking” trimaran, was sunk by Japanese sailors …
Biodiesel Board Disputes Media’s Production Estimate
Ben Franklin said, “Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.” That saying could apply to the latest dispute between some of the media and the National Biodiesel Board and biodiesel production levels for 2009. While some major news outlets ran a story that put the number at 350 million gallons for the past year (a …
IRFA Launches Media Campaign Touting Biodiesel
Biodiesel has a rough go of it lately, with tough economic conditions and then the inaction by Congress to renew the $1 per gallon biodiesel blenders tax credit taking its toll on the green fuel. It might be down, but it’s certainly not out, and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has launched a media campaign within its home state …
REG to Supply Biodiesel for Hawaiian Utility
Not since the guy from Keokuk said “Hey, I’ll bring the pig to the luau,” has there been such a perfect partnership between the Hawkeye and Aloha States. Pacific Business News says Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) will buy 3 million to 7 million gallons of biodiesel annually for two years from Ames, Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group for the utility’s new …
New Year Brings Idling of Biodiesel Plants
The new year has brought some bad news for the biodiesel industry. As expected, the $1-per-gallon federal tax incentive expired at the end of December 2009. And, as expected, some biodiesel makers have had to idle their plants after losing the tax credit. One of the biggest to “idle in the new year” is the 180-million gallon Renewable Biofuels plant …
Tennessee Misses Biofuels Goal
A Tennessee state audit found that the state agencies missed their goal of reducing their use of petroleum products by 20 percent. Legislation enacted in 2007 gave state agencies, universities and community colleges until January 1, 2010 to meet this goal.
DF Cast: Green Limo Offers Rides in Style on Biodiesel
It’s New Year’s Eve, and many people will be stepping out on the town, riding in style in a limousine. But some folks will be able go green while they go swanky, thanks to Seattle’s first eco-friendly limo service, Seattle GreenLimo. During this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we talk to company president Kevin Williams, who has four limos …
Biodiesel Makers Could Get New Hedging Tool
Biodiesel producers could get a new trading instrument that will help them hedge against fluctuations in the price of feedstocks and the actual fuel. Biodiesel Magazine reports that if a new trading instrument proposed by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange gets approved by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, green fuel makers could hedge both feedstocks and biodiesel production in a …
Biodiesel Part of 11 States’ Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Eleven states in the New England and the Mid-Atlantic region have inked a deal to develop a comprehensive, regional low carbon fuel standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels, including biodiesel. This press release from the Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection says that state’s governor, Ed Rendell, sees alternative energy as a locally produced, clean source of fuel …
Sustainable Biodiesel Meets Before NBB Conference
Sustainable biodiesel will get its voice heard right before the National Biodiesel Board holds its annual conference and exhibition in Texas in just over a month. The seventh annual Sustainable Biodiesel Summit is set for February 6th and 7th, in Grapevine, Texas … right before the NBB’s big gig, Feb. 7-10. This press release says community activists, backyard brewers, farmers, …