Eleven states in the Northeastern United States have agreed to a Low Carbon Fuel Standard, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and other energy uses. Biofuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol, are part of that plan. This press release from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection says the key is all the states working together: In June, Governor …
Solar Leads Record Year of Green Investment
While it might have been a tough year for most investments on Wall Street, venture capital funding into alternative energies really took off in 2008, setting records. This story posted on CNET News quotes a Cleantech Group report that says those investments jumped to $8.4 billion, a 38 percent increase from the previous year: Solar investments helped drive the growth, …
Iowa Biodiesel Plant Ready to Go Back On Line
A biodiesel plant in Iowa should be back on line later this month after a fire last fall idled the 10-million-gallon-a-year facility. This story from the Iowa Independent says Nova Biosource Fuels’ Clinton County Bioenergy Plant has been repaired after the September 30, 2008 fire: “The repairs to the damaged equipment are now completed at a cost of less than …
Santa Cruz Making Fryer to Fuel Biodiesel
The city of Santa Cruz, California has teamed up with several partners to make biodiesel. This article from Biodiesel Magazine says the U.S. EPA, the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transportation District, biodiesel producer Energy Alternative Solutions Inc., the California Restaurant Association, waste oil collector Salinas Tallow Co. and the city of Santa Cruz are making locally sustainable biodiesel: The Ecology Action …
Biodiesel Board CEO Fights Kraft’s Fear-Mongering
The National Biodiesel Board is refusing to let food companies spread fear and misinformation in the continuing food-versus-fuel debate. NBB CEO Joe Jobe, responding to Kraft Foods’ CEO Irene Rosenfeld’s blame of biofuels for the rise in food prices, has submitted his own opinion piece to USA Today asking how Kraft can continue to make soaring profits at the cost …
Philly Utility to Run on Wind, Biodiesel Power
A Philadelphia-based utility has announced plans to use wind and biodiesel power, along with more hybrid vehicles to help power its headquarters. This story from the Philadelphia Business Journal says Peco Energy Co. wants to buy enough wind-generated electricity to cover 15 percent of its power needs at its Center City Philadelphia headquarters through the end of 2011: The electric-and-gas …
Colorado Hands Out $620K in Ethanol, Biodiesel, Wind & Biomass Grants
The State of Colorado has handed out $620,000 in grants for research and development into a variety of renewable energy sources, including ethanol, biodiesel, biomass and wind energy. This press release from the state Department of Agriculture says the 14 grants have been hand out through the “Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy” (ACRE) program: “ACRE is a statewide effort to promote …
North Dakota Group Wants Biodiesel, Ethanol & Wind Mandate
A group advocating for the development and use of renewable energy, including biomass, biodiesel, ethanol, carbon and wind, wants a renewable fuels standard in North Dakota. This story from Biodiesel Magazine says the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy (NDARE) has issued a proposal for how the state can be more renewable energy friendly: Regarding biofuels, NDARE recommended that the …
EPA Approves GreenHunter Biodiesel
Texas-based GreenHunter Biofuels continues its road to recovery after Hurricane Ike nearly wiped its biodiesel operation last September. Back in November, I told you how the refinery went back on line. Now, according to this company press release, GreenHunter Biodiesel has been approved for the on-road market in the U.S. by the Environmental Protection Agency: Previously, as a part of …