California-based algae biodiesel producer OriginOil Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Research Institute of Tsukuba Bio-Tech (RITB) to develop algae-to-jet fuel technologies. This article from Biomass Magazine says the deal comes on the heels of RITB getting money from the Japan Science and Technology Agency to develop algae-to-jet fuel applications: Headed by Tsukuba University professor emeritus and …
Biodiesel Gets British Columbia to Cut Carbon Tax
A controversial tax imposed on some Canadians will be reduced at the beginning of the new year, thanks to biodiesel. Today’s Trucking.com reports that British Columbia’s carbon tax will drop by 5 percent and planned increases will also be lessened because of renewable fuels: On Jan. 1, 2010 the carbon tax rate on diesel drops from 4.04 cents per litre …
Copenhagen Seen as Good for Biodiesel, Ethanol
The Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, which started this week in Denmark, could be good for biodiesel and ethanol. Biodiesel Magazine reports that while not everyone agrees exactly on what the political negotiations will bring, an expected deal … if not a full treaty … outlining a carbon pricing or cap-and-trade system that puts a price on carbon will be a …
Biodiesel Tax Credit Passes House, On to Senate
A crucial tax break for the biodiesel industry has passed the U.S. House but is still a ways from being renewed. The Hill.com reports that the $1-per-gallon tax credit for biodiesel, set to expire in just a few weeks on Dec. 31, won House approval, 241-181, but the $31 billion package still must make it through the U.S. Senate. The …
World Biofuels Reduced Global GHGs 123.5M Tons
A new study shows that world biofuels production in 2009 has reduced GHG emissions by 123.5 million tons. The figure represents an average reduction of 57 percent compared to the emissions that would have occurred from the production and use of equal quantities of petroleum fuels. The report was prepared by (S&T)² Consultants Inc. Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the Global …
Biodiesel Giant Awards Scholarship
The nation’s biggest biodiesel is making a student’s Christmas a bit greener. HERO BX has awarded Erie, Pa. native Katherine Tarr, a $1,000 scholarship. This company press release says the award was given in conjunction with the Erie movie premier of the Sundance Film Festival award winning film, FUEL: “I’m really grateful for the scholarship,” said Tarr, who will graduate …
World Biofuels Markets Announces Speakers
It’s never too early to start planning your 2010 conference schedule and here is one to consider: World Biofuels Markets. This is Europe’s largest biofuels conference and so far, 20 of the 50 companies who were named to Biofuels Digest’s “Top 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy” will be participating. Last year several hundred people were on hand and this year …
11 Good’s G2 Diesel Plant Opens
According to a new report by the National Biodiesel Board that studies the positive effect of the tax credit, “The ailing U.S. biodiesel industry is producing at 15% of its potential capacity.” It argues that if the federal government does not extend the tax credit, set to expire on Dec. 31, 2009, the entire industry could “cease altogether.” This year, …
EPA Determines CO2, Other GHGs Endanger Society
Some of the biggest news to come out of Copenhagen yesterday was the ruling from the Environmental Protection Agency that greenhouse gas emissions are now considered “an endangerment” to society. This ruling now gives the EPA the authority, under the Clean Air Act, to regulate greenhouse gases. This decision could lead to stricter vehicle, manufacturing and power plant emissions – …
Grant to Help Iowa Plant Produce Biodiesel & Cosmetics
An Illinois company has received a $2.5 million federal grant to put in a demonstration project in an Iowa biodiesel plant that could allow the facility to produce the green fuel and cosmetics. Last month, I told you how Elevance Renewable Sciences of Bolingbrook, Ill., was looking to get some government assistance to put in the $8.1 million project in …