The Missouri State Senate has passed a biodiesel standard that would require all diesel sold in the state to contain at least 5 percent biodiesel. This story in the St. Louis Post Dispatch says if it passes the Missouri House and gains the governor’s signature (which he has indicated he will sign it), it will be the highest biodiesel requirement …
Missouri Corn Growers Honor Governor
In honor of his commitment to renewable fuels, the Missouri Corn Growers Association has presented Missouri Governor Matt Blunt with this year’s President’s Award. This is the second year in a row that Governor Blunt received that award from the MCGA and the first time anyone has been a two-time recipient of the organization’s highest honor. “With our support for …
Earthrace Ready to Go Again
The boat, Earthrace, is set to make another attempt at circumnavigating the globe fueled by biodiesel. You might remember that Earthrace’s attempt fell short last year after it ran into problems, including hitting a Guatamalan fishing boat, killing one man. But this story in Motor Boat & Yachting says there’s another try to start on March 29th: The international crew, …
PA Biodiesel Producers Barely Hanging On
Biodiesel producers in Pennsylvania are in a tough spot these days, and unless the state steps in to help them, their industry could go bust by the end of the month. This story in the Central Penn Business Journal says lawmakers are still sparring over subsidies that could help make the industry competitive again: There are two proposals that would …
USDA Energy Grant Announcements
At last week’s Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) 2008, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced that USDA will accept almost $221 million in loan and grant applications within USDA’s Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. “As demand for energy rises, these renewable energy loans and grants help farms and rural small businesses increase their investment in renewable energy …
25 x ’25 Energy Summit This Week
Coming up this week in Omaha is the National 25x’25 Renewable Energy Summit. The conference will feature leading renewable energy experts from across the nation. More than two dozen pre-eminent authorities on biofuels, biomass, wind, solar and other land-based renewable energy sources will address the summit. Presenters will include Dr. Steven Chu, Nobel laureate and director of the Lawrence Berkeley …
Volvo Debuts Biofuel-friendly Trucks
Automaker Volvo has unveiled seven trucks that the company sees as the future for long-haul transportation in the country. This story in Land Line Magazine says Volvo officials debuted the trucks at the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference in Washington, DC: The trucks, powered by everything from biodiesel and ethanol to biogas and hydrogen, are touted by the company as …
Bush Urges US to “Get Off Oil”
As crude oil jumped to new record highs on the New York mercantile exchange due to falling oil inventories, trading over $104 a barrel, President Bush renewed his support for ethanol as a means toward energy independence. Speaking at the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference 2008 (WIREC) Wednesday, Bush said, “America has got to change its habits. We’ve got to …
Sustaining the Faith
A group is trying to combine their faith with its desire to live a life that will allow everyone to enjoy the Earth before they have to head off to Heaven. FUSE… Faiths United for Sustainable Energy… is a collection of scientists, religious leaders, government officials, and more which wants to become a catalyst to rid our society of its …
Farm Equipment Manufacturers Support of Biodiesel
Ed Hegland is a farmer from Minnesota and currently serving as Chairman of the National Biodiesel Board. He stopped by the New Holland booth while I was attending the Commodity Classic trade show in Nashville where I got to talk to him about how equipment manufacturers are supporting biodiesel. Ed says that as a farmer he’s excited to see companies …