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 …
REG Buys US Biodiesel Group
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 Boat Breaks Prop; Limps Toward Record
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 …