Editorial Defends Minnesota Biodiesel

John Davis

It’s been nearly a month since some school buses in Minnesota wouldn’t run after temperatures dropped to -20 to -30 degrees F. Commentators such Fox TV’s Glenn Beck derided the state’s 2 percent biodiesel mandate as the cause of the stalled Bloomington school buses… although he offered no explanation why this didn’t happen at EVERY other school district that had …

Biodiesel, Opinion

Virginia Legislature Moves Biodiesel, Renewable Energy Measures

John Davis

Two bills aimed at helping the renewable energy business in Virginia have advanced in the State Legislature. This story from the Richmond Times-Dispatch says the measures are part of Gov. Timothy Kaine’s eco-friendly “Renew Virginia” and cleared the Virginia Senate: Senate Bill 1146, carried by Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington, would require the government to purchase diesel fuel for its …

Biodiesel, Government

Green Grand Prix Features Speed and Economy

John Davis

This year’s Green Grand Prix is taking a dual-track in the nation’s premier event featuring alternatively-fueled vehicles. This press release says along with the road rally… the signature event for the grand prix… this 5th rendition at Watkins Glen, New York on May 2, 2009 will also feature a new fuel economy competition: Both road events are open to anyone, …

Biodiesel, Hydrogen

Biodiesel Jet Truck Makes Its Debut

John Davis

Saskatchewan-based Prairieland Motorsports has unveiled the world’s first jet-powered biodiesel truck. This picture from the Prairieland Web site is the truck in progress. This story from CanadianDriver.com has details: The truck, named Prairie Gold, was shown at the Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon, and at the Farm Tech Show in Edmonton in January. The body resembles a 2009 Ford F-150 …

Biodiesel

Sirona Fuels Joins Biodiesel Business

John Davis

San Francisco-based Sirona Fuels has joined the biodiesel business. During an announcement, fittingly enough, at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo last week in the Golden Gate city, company officials said they bought Blue Sky Biofuels, giving them a 15 million gallon a year refinery using recycled cooking oil: Sirona has implemented plans for the rapid expansion of its used …

Biodiesel

Indiana Opens First City-Run Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

The City of Kokomo, Indiana has opened a city-run biodiesel plant… the state’s first municipally-run biodiesel refinery. This press release from the city says the sustainable program will use waste cooking oil to make what they are calling K-Fuel: “I knew that if we could find a way of making our own fuel, the City would save money and reduce …

Biodiesel

Frisco to Host Algae Biofuels Summit

John Davis

On the heels of hosting the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, San Francisco will be home to Algae Biofuels World Summit, March 23-25, 2009 at the Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel. Summit officials bill the meeting as the first major algae biofuels industry-building event and a unique forum where leading carbon generators, algae developers, biorefiners, financiers, investors, transportation companies and …

algae, Biodiesel

Company Designs Truck-Trailer Sized Biodiesel Refinery

John Davis

A California-based energy company has designed a mobile biodiesel production plant, able to make 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of the green fuel a week while fitting in the back of a 8 foot by 45 foot by 9.5 foot trailer. This company press release says AM Oil Resources & Technology Inc. says the biodiesel refinery is just in the design …

Biodiesel

More Biodiesel Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

Several more awards were presented on the last day of the National Biodiesel Conference this week in San Francisco. As the Inspiration award winners, Bryan Peterson (right) and Pete Bethune shared their inspiring stories at the final general session. Fourteen years ago, Peterson made his way around the world in a small boat powered by biodiesel. He completed the 35,000 …

Audio, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB

Greenline Announces Biodiesel Cold Flow Solution

John Davis

A leader in small-to-medium scale biodiesel production equipment has announced the development and release of technology that eliminates cold-flow issues to help biodiesel pass the new mandatory ASTM cold soak test and always performs in cold weather. Greenline Industries’ “Greenline Tea FASTRACK” was debuted at the recent National Biodiesel Conference and Expo and, according to a company press release, combines …

Biodiesel