A deal that would have provided biodiesel to a Hawaiian Electric Co. plant has been dealt a tough blow that in all intents and purposes kills the project. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports that the state Public Utilities Commission has denied HECO’s request to change where it would have gotten the green fuel for its plant: According to the contract terms, …
Grassley, Cantwell Introduce Bi-Partisan Biodiesel Bill
A bill that would extend the biodiesel tax incentive by five years, as well as changing the way the program is administered, has been introduced. SustainableBusiness.com reports it is a bi-partisan measure from Democrat U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington state and Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa: The Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act is expected to provide …
California Biodiesel & Ethanol Co. Patents Algae Dredger
A maker of parts for biodiesel and ethanol operations says it has been awarded a “Notice of Allowance” by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a device that is supposed to make it easier to harvest algae to make biofuels. This press release from San Marcos, California-based Circle Biodiesel & Ethanol Corporation says the company received the notice …
New Biodiesel Plant Opens in East Tennessee
A new biodiesel plant in East Tennessee is the first of its kind for that part of the state. This article from the Southeast Farm Press says officials with the University of Tennessee, as well as state and local officials and members of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy were on hand for the ribbon cutting of the facility that …
Wind Company Getting Into Biodiesel Biz
A Texas wind energy company is getting into the bioidesel business. The Houston Business Journal says National Wind Solutions Inc. has just bought a biodiesel plant for $3 million: The plant, located in Atascosa County just south of San Antonio, produced biodiesel for commercial transportation uses before being mothballed due to high soybean oil prices. Houston-based National Wind intends to …
Biodiesel Vehicles Get Boost from Cash for Clunkers
New cars that run on biodiesel have gotten a boost from the federal government’s Cash for Clunkers program. Biodiesel Magazine reports that portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has helped encourage the sale of clean diesel vehicles, which, of course, run on biodiesel: “It’s completely exceeded our expectations,” said Sean Maynard of Volkswagen U.S. “Clean diesels …
Biodiesel Hydroplane Flies Past Polluters
A biodiesel-powered hydroplane has been successfully tested at a Seattle-area boat race. Biofuels International reports the Boeing U-787 hydroplane skimmed across the waves… and past non-renewable-powered competitors… in a demonstration proving the green fuel’s versatility this weekend: The U-787 was tested repeatedly at the annual Chevrolet Cup, each with a greater proportion of biofuel, culminating in the 100% blend being …
Oregon Becoming Latest State with Biodiesel Mandate
Oregon has become the latest state to require diesel sold in the state… well, at least in nine counties in the northwest part of Oregon starting August 5th and the rest of the state by October 1… have a mix of biodiesel. The 2 percent biodiesel (B2) requirement received the praise of the National Biodiesel Board: “Oregon recognizes the proven …
Soybean & Biodiesel Boards Dispel RFS-2 Misinfo
The biodiesel industry and the soybean checkoff have teamed up to try to dispel some of the misinformation being used that would basically disqualify soybean-based biodiesel, the bulk of the nation’s biodiesel, from the proposed federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS-2). This United Soybean Board press release says the National Biodiesel Board’s (NBB) Sustainability Analysis and Awareness project, funded in part …
Company Intros Portable Ethanol, Biodiesel Analyzer
With more and more blends of biodiesel and ethanol available out there, especially with government tax incentives and regulations based on the percentage of the biofuel, it’s more important than ever for producers and users to know what they are putting in their tanks. Enter the InfraCal Blend Analyzer. This post on EnvironmentalExpert.com says the analyzers from Connecticut-based Wilks Enterprises …