A 100% biodiesel boat trying to break the world record for circumnavigation of the globe has run into a bit of trouble in the East Indies. The Earthrace hit some debris near Palau and is limping toward Singapore for more permanent repairs: Here’s an update from the captain of the 78-foot racing boat: Day 34 – 1st June Having made …
More Than Slime is Green at Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, the kids’ network known for dumping copious amounts of green slime on participants of its silly contests, is taking its show on the road. And while it won’t be green slime fueling the “Slime Across America” tour, there will be green fuel in the tank. This press release from the network says that biodiesel will be helping its 18-wheeler …
USDA Chief to Defend Biofuels at UN Summit
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Shafer is defending biofuels ahead of next week’s United Nations conference that will address the growing world food crisis. This story in the New York Times says Shafer is taking a stand that biodiesel and ethanol are making a minimum contribution to any price hikes in food worldwide while making a major contribution to extending …
Airplane Builders Looking at Biodiesel, Alt Fuels
Some of the world’s biggest airplane manufacturers are looking at renewable fuels… made from everythig from hydrogen to algae… to fly the friendly skies. This AP article from the Seattle Times says companies at the the famous Berlin, Germany Air Show were showing off some of their alternatively-fueled aircraft: Boeing displayed a one-seater demonstration airplane that can fly on batteries …
San Francisco Getting Grease-to-Biodiesel Plant
A $1-million grant is helping San Francisco build its first grease-to-biodiesel production facility. This story from the Bay Area’s NBC-11 says that Mayor Gavin Newsom made the announcement today that the city had received the grant from the California Energy Commission to build the facility near the city’s sewage plant: Mayor’s office officials said the plan is considered unique because …
Biodiesel Works Like Gas
A newly developed “bio-gasoline” product from XcelPlus enables internal combustion gasoline engines to run on natural oils like soybean and vegetable oil. XcelPlus is offering a “Biolene” additive that enables producers and consumers of biodiesel to convert the biofuel so it’s suitable for use in any gasoline powered engines. The company says the new product means home blenders can expect …
Canadian House Passes Biofuels Standard
Members of the Canadian House of Commons have passed a nationwide biofuels standard that is expected to create demand for an estimated 500 million gallons of ethanol and 150 million gallons of biodiesel. The standard is noteworthy considering that Canada has oil reserves only second to Saudi Arabia and is the largest supplier of U.S. foreign energy sources (including oil, …
“Thumbs” Up for Michigan Biodiesel Plant
A $65 million combination biodiesel-soybean crushing plant is being planned for the area of Michigan known as “the Thumb.” Despite rising costs for soybean oil, Bill Moran thinks his Huron Biofuels plant proposed for near Elkton, MI can make a go of crushing soybeans and selling the feed to local dairy farmers while having the option of turning the oil …
Analyst: High Oil Prices Good for Biofuels
While the rising price of crude oil might be taking a chunk out of your wallet, one analyst says it’s good news for ethanol and biodiesel. In this story on Grainnet.com, University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist Darrell Good made the comments while reviewing factors supporting the price of corn and soybeans: “Higher ethanol prices and strengthening prices of distillers …
New Mexico Gov Helps Open Biofuels Center
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson helped open a new center that will feature renewable fuels. According to this company press release, Richardson filled up the Cummins-Blue Sun Biodiesel dragster this weekend at the Nambe Falls Travel Center in Santa Fe… a Blue Sun Biodiesel complex that includes retail and wholesale sales of the green fuel: The Nambe Falls Travel Center …