Making Algae Commercially Viable Workshop Coming Up

John Davis

Algae is being seen as the next great feedstock for biodiesel… if the industry can grow the algae and extract the oil in a commercially-viable way. To that end, our friends from the National Algae Association`s Mid-South Chapter are hosting a one-day workshop on algae commercialization on June 12, 2009 at the Doubletree Castle Hotel in Orlando, Florida. According to …

algae, Biodiesel

World Ag Congress Discusses Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuels from the perspective of India and East Africa, as well as Europe and the United States, were part of the discussion at the World Ag Congress in St. Louis on Tuesday. Henk Joos with London-based D1 Oils moderated the panel focusing on an integrated approach to biofuels. He stressed that the purpose of the panel was to find solutions. …

Agribusiness, algae, Audio, Biodiesel, Ethanol, International

EU Wants to Extend Biodiesel Tariffs

John Davis

Temporary tariffs on American biodiesel imposed by the European Union could become more permanent. In March, the EU, citing what it called unfair subsidies by the U.S. government that help American biodiesel producers, slapped temporary duties on biodiesel coming from this side of the pond. And, according to this story on CNMoney.com, the duties, which typically last five years, could …

Biodiesel, International

Imperium Might Re-start Biodiesel Plant… IF…

John Davis

What a rollercoaster couple of years it has been for Seattle-based Imperium Renewables. Back in August, 2007, I was telling you about how Imperium was opening a 100-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant in the Pacific Northwest, representing 30 percent of all U.S. biodiesel production. A year later, the company was in trouble, canceling long-term contracts, cutting production and laying off almost all …

Biodiesel, Government

St. Paul Wastewater Plant to Grow Algae for Biomass

John Davis

Officials in St. Paul, Minnesota believe a pilot project to grow algae at the city’s wastewater plant will clean the water before it’s pumped back into the Mississippi River and provide biomass for biofuels. Biomass Magazine reports the process will also take nitrogen and phosphorus out of the water that can be used to make fertilizer: A team of researchers …

Biodiesel, biomass

Bill Could Renew Biodiesel Credit

John Davis

The $1-a-gallon tax credit that biodiesel now enjoys… but is set to expire at the end of this year… could have new life if a new piece of legislation makes it through Congress this year. According to the Northwest Arkansas News, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) has introduced legislation that will promote several renewable energy options, including the biodiesel credit: Lincoln …

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

House Bill Seeks to Improve Renewable Fuels Standard

Cindy Zimmerman

The House Agriculture Committee last week introduced a bill to change provisions in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that are “limiting the potential for clean, homegrown renewable biofuels to meet our nation’s energy needs.” The Renewable Fuel Standard Improvement Act (H.R. 2409) was introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) along with …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Government

Fourth Florida Farm to Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

Plans for the fourth Florida Farm to Fuel® Summit are progressing well and organizers expect the event on July 29-31 to be bigger and better than ever. This year’s summit will once again include leaders from the agricultural, government, academic, technology, and financial communities who will share their progress in reaching the commercial production of biofuels and renewable energy in …

Biodiesel, biomass, conferences, Energy, Ethanol

Biodiesel Starts Shipping Out of Port of Milwaukee

John Davis

Back in January, I told you about how a New York-based renewable energy company had announced plans to move biodiesel and ethanol out of the Port of Milwaukee. Now, this story from Milwaukee’s BizTimes.com says Innovation Fuels has started selling biodiesel to folks from around the world out of the port on Lake Michigan: The company’s 312,000-barrel (45,000 metric tons) …

Biodiesel

Tax Credit Loss Idles Conoco/Tyson Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

A joint venture by ConocoPhillips and Tyson that would have the fuel giant turning the meat giant’s animal fat waste into biodiesel has folded because of the halving of a key federal tax credit. This story from CNNMoney.com says the Borger, Texas refinery was idled last fall during changing economic conditions and government policies: A spokesman for Tyson Foods Inc. …

Biodiesel