When you live in this part of the country, you KNOW how big of rivals Kansas and Missouri are. This hatred goes all the way back to before the Civil War! I’ve even known people who would actually spit after they spoke the other state’s name. Officials at MU and KU have tried to tone down the rhetoric by calling …
Market Forces Force REG to Withdraw IPO
The high price of soybean oil is making it awfully tough on some biodiesel makers. In an unfortunate sign of the times for the biodiesel industry, Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group has had to withdraw its attempt at an initial public offering (IPO). CNNMoney reports that “unfavorable market conditions” has forced the company to reconsider what would have been a $150 …
Connecticut Town Considers Biodiesel
The town of Greenwich, Connecticut want to run about 150 of their 300 vehicles in the city’s fleet on biodiesel. Unsure how well that might actually work, officials decided to visit another New England town to see how their efforts had gone. This story in the Greenwich (CT) Times has details: [Elizabeth Linck, the town’s fleet director] and town Purchasing …
U.S. Biodiesel Producers Look to Europe
American biodiesel producers, who are trying to keep their heads above water in a market of rising feedstocks, might have found a way to keep their doors open: send their biodiesel to Europe. This story in the Des Moines (IA) Register says a weak dollar, coupled with American and European incentives, makes biodiesel made in this country cheaper than its …
Minnesota Looks to Increase Biodiesel Mandate
Hoping to mimic the success its ethanol mandate has brought to that industry in Minnesota, the state is looking at bumping up its 2 percent biodiesel mandate. This story from Minnesota Public Radio says a bill before the state legislature would increase that requirement by 10-fold: “What this does is actually give a signal to industry that they should move …
NBB Names Sustainability Task Force Members
After announcing the formation of its Sustainability Task Force at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida last month, the group has filled out the nine-member panel. According to this NBB press release, the group, led by Emily Bockian Landsburg of Philadelphia Fry-O-Diesel, will work to ensure the biodiesel industry will continue to protect the environment, while producing …
Raleigh Upgrades Buses to Biodiesel
Raleigh, North Carolina has improved its bus system with some new buses that are roomier, more accessible, and possibly most importantly, run on biodiesel. This story from NBC-17’s web site says the 15 Capital Area Transit system buses join a growing biodiesel-powered fleet of vehicles in Raleigh: The new CAT buses operate on biodiesel fuel (B20). City officials say, B20 …
It’s More Than Rain That Greens Seattle
The area around Seattle, Washington is known for its beautiful green surroundings, prompted by plentiful rain and moderate temperatures. But while the city itself might covered in lots of gray concrete, it is green when it comes to caring for the environment. Part of that commitment is the city’s dedication to biofuels and alternative forms of energy. This post on …
Snowmobiles Running on Green Fuels
This year has been an exceptionally snowy one for much of the U.S., and some students in Michigan are making use of all the snow… while learning about the benefits of biofuels. The SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge is going on now through Saturday at Michigan Technological University’s Keweenaw Research Center at Houghton County Memorial Airport. The Daily Mining Gazette reports …
SD Gov Signs Biodiesel Tax Incentive
South Dakota consumers choosing to fill up with biodiesel will great a break on their gas bill. This story in the Rapid City (SD) Journal says Gov. Mike Rounds has signed into law a measure that will give a 2-cent per gallon tax break for every gallon of diesel sold with 5 percent biodiesel: “As diesel costs continue to skyrocket, …