Some trains in Iowa are burning locally produced biodiesel to see about the green fuel’s long-term viability in locomotives. The Omaha World Herald reports that Cedar Rapids-based Iowa Interstate Railroad has been testing a B5 blend from Ames-based Renewable Energy Group and will increase it to B20 over the course of the eight-month test: “Our company has been looking at …
Valero Eyes Animal-Fat Biodiesel Ventures
After venturing into ethanol, Valero Energy Corp. could be looking at getting into the biodiesel business. As you might remember from this past spring, the petroleum company got into ethanol when it bought five ethanol plants from bankrupted Verasun (see Cindy’s post from April 1, 2009). It’s just a small mention at the end of this story on CNN Money, …
Manitoba to Institute Canada’s First Biodiesel Mandate
Manitoba will become the first province in Canada to require biodiesel in all diesel fuel when it mandates the blending of 2 percent biodiesel by November 1, 2009. The news was welcomed by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association: “Today is a good day for homegrown biofuels in Manitoba and Canada,” said Gordon Quaiattini, President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. …
Early Bird Registration Looms for Biodiesel Conference
It’s that time of year again… time to start talking about the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo! Now, if you’re looking at your calendar, you’ll notice that the National Biodiesel Board’s premier event is still about five months off, scheduled to take place February 7-10 at the Gaylord Texan hotel, just a few minutes from the Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport. But …
Biodiesel Nets Soy Growers Extra $2.5 Bil Since 2005
American soybean growers have netted an extra $2.5 billion over the past four years, thanks to demand for soybean-based biodiesel. This story from Feedtuffs.com says a new United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff-funded study also found that biodiesel added 25 cents to the price of a bushel of soybeans: Because the price of petroleum diesel has such a large influence …
BRAIN-y Idea Helps Wisconsin Biodiesel & Ethanol
Wisconsin will be getting $1 million to help put in E85 ethanol and biodiesel stations and infrastructure across the state. This article from the Milwaukee Business Journal says that the new Biofuels Retail Availability Improvement Network (BRAIN) will fund the installation of 27 E85 and biodiesel retail locations around the state, as well as support the installation of biodiesel blending …
US Navy Using Camelina Biodiesel for Some Jets
They might be sailin’ the ocean blue, but some U.S. Navy pilots will soon be flying biodiesel green! This press release from camelina-based biodiesel maker Sustainable Oils says the company has gotten a contract from the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) for 40,000 gallons of camelina-based jet fuel: The fuel will be delivered to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) …
E85 and Biodiesel Promo in Sioux Rapids, IA
The First Coop Association is one of many stations to take advantage of the Renewable Fuels Promotional Assistance Program sponsored by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and the Iowa Soybean Association. Through the Renewable Fuels Promotional Assistance Program, Iowa Corn and IRFA partners with retailers for grand openings for E85 and ethanol blender dispensers. …
Competition Underway to Build Biofuel Snowmobile
The race is on… but this time it’s to build a cleaner burning snowmobile. This post on the Good Green Cars blog says the Society of Automobile Engineers… aka SAE International… has challenged college engineering students to build a snowmobile that runs on biodiesel, ethanol or electricity: The snowmobiles will be rated in categories like emissions, noise, and acceleration.The idea …
Biodiesel to Fuel Porsche in Race Around Newfoundland
Yesterday, I told you about how a biodiesel-fueled motorcycle is taking off for a 12,000-mile trip around Australia. Now, a restored 1965 Porsche made to run on biodiesel will take part in race around Newfoundland, Canada. This article from the Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle says local audiologist Steve Hart and his friend Tom Megan will compete in the Targa …