Biodiesel Tax Credit Part of Extension

John Davis

The $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel tax credit set to expire on December 31, 2008 will be renewed for another year, if the U.S. Senate’s version of the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 gains final passage. It still faces a vote in the U.S. House and needs the President’s signature to become law. The bill has gained the praise …

Biodiesel

Brazilian President Makes Case for Biofuels at UN

John Davis

Leaders from all over the world have gathered at the United Nations in New York City for the annual high-level debate before the General Assembly. Part of that included the fuel-versus-food debate. In this article from the UN News Centre, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva disputed the idea that biodiesel and ethanol are the cause of high food …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, International, News

Cross-Country Biodiesel Trip Rolling

John Davis

Two guys and a Volkswagen Jetta running on biodiesel are trying to re-create the crazy coast-to-coast run made famous in the movie “Cannonball Run,” while proving the value of the green fuel they’re running on. Hopefully, they’ll still be rolling along when you’re reading this, but right now (Monday evening at about 9:45 CST), two ad execs from Atlanta are …

Biodiesel

New Spokesman at Biodiesel Board’s DC Office

John Davis

There’s someone new for you to meet at the National Biodiesel Board. The group has announced Michael C. Frohlich is the new Director of Communications at NBB’s Washington, DC office: “Michael has diverse experience and knowledge in the communications field,” Manning Feraci, Vice President of Federal Affairs stated. “I am confident he is the right person for the position, and …

Biodiesel

Rebuilding with Biodiesel

John Davis

Officials in Parkersburg, Iowa recently received a check for $10,520 to help them rebuild their town destroyed by an F5 tornado back on May 25, 2008. This story from Biodiesel Magazine says the money is from donors from all over the state: The initial idea of the fundraiser was for donors to pledge five dollar amounts, signifying the approximate cost …

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Fueling Cross-Country Trip

John Davis

Following the route of the famous Cannonball Run of the 1970s (made even more famous by the movie in 1981), a pair of advertising copywriters will attempt to go from the East Coast to the West Coast… entirely non-stop and entirely on biodiesel. This press release from the Willie Run ’08 web site has more information: Scheduled for departure from …

Biodiesel

Oilseed Production to Hit Record

John Davis

While American farmers might have a smaller soybean crop this year, that feedstock and other oilseeds for biodiesel production is expected to be at record levels on the global market. The latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report says the U.S. soybean crop will be down to 2.93 billion bushels… 39 million bushels lower than previous estimates. But …

Biodiesel

Biodiesel, Ethanol & Wind Facing Uphill Battle on the Hill

John Davis

The latest version of the energy bill, which includes an extension of the $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax credit and federal incentives for wind and solar energy (which were all set to expire at the end of this year), has passed the U.S. House, but its future is most assuredly less assured as it moves on to the U.S. Senate. Senate Majority …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News, Solar, Wind

House Passes Energy Bill with Renewable Fuels Provisions

John Davis

The U.S. House has approved a measure that will renew some tax credits for wind and solar power that were set to expire at the end of this year, as well as allowing more drilling for offshore oil. This story from the San Francisco Chronicle says passage came after some contentious debate on the issue: [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi hailed …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News, Solar, Wind

Montana Company Offers On-site Seed Crushing, Biodiesel Brewing

John Davis

A new company out of Billings, Montana is offering to come to farms, crush the oilseeds farmers grow and even turn it into biodiesel to be burned right there on the farm. This story from the Billings Business News says Paul Miller owns Big Sky Biofuels, which offers on-farm crushing and biodiesel conversion for farmers who have raised oil-seed crops: …

Biodiesel