Lobos Riding on Biodiesel

John Davis

Students at the University of New Mexico are going to be able to get to class using the green fuel biodiesel. This story in the university’s newspaper, UNM Today, says the school in Albuquerque is running four of its shuttle buses in the Parking and Transportation Services (PATS) Department on biodiesel: “Biodiesel was an obvious choice” says Alexander A. Aller, …

Biodiesel

US, UK Firms Team Up to Make Biodiesel

John Davis

An American biofuels company is teaming up with a British company to build several biodiesel plants able to make the green fuel from a variety of sources, including non-food feedstocks. This story in the Houston (TX) Business Journal says Houston-based Endicott Biofuels will use Davy Process Technology Ltd.’s esterification technology to make the flexible refineries: Endicott is already developing its …

Biodiesel

Biofuel Battle at UN Summit

John Davis

World leaders are meeting this week in Rome, Italy to discuss the current world food crisis. While some there are trying to blame biofuels for the recent spike in food prices, this CNN story says the industry has some heavy-hitting allies who argue before the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization that green energy is not to blame for more …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

REG Buys US Biodiesel Group

John Davis

Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group is buying the large assets of U.S. Biodiesel Group… a move that is expected to greatly enhance REG’s ability to distribute biodiesel on the West Coast and the Texas Gulf Coast. This story in the Chicago Tribune has details of the $80-million deal: Acquisition of the 35 million gallon per year biodiesel plant near Houston and …

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Boat Breaks Prop; Limps Toward Record

John Davis

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 …

Biodiesel

More Than Slime is Green at Nickelodeon

John Davis

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 …

Biodiesel

USDA Chief to Defend Biofuels at UN Summit

John Davis

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 …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, International, News

Airplane Builders Looking at Biodiesel, Alt Fuels

John Davis

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 …

Biodiesel, Hydrogen

San Francisco Getting Grease-to-Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

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, Government