The South Dakota State House and Senate has voted unanimously to approve a bill that would cut state taxes on diesel mixed with biodiesel. This story in Land Line Magazine says if the governor signs the bill as expected, it could take a little time before the effects kick in: At the request of Gov. Mike Rounds, the House and …
NBB to Truckers: Biodiesel Getting Better
Officials with the National Biodiesel Board are telling those who depend on their trucks… and the fuel they put in those trucks… for their living that the quality of biodiesel is getting better. This story posted on Truck News.com says the NBB’s Richard Nelson has addressed those attending this week’s National Truck Equipment Associations’ Work Truck Show in Atlanta, Georgia: …
House Approves $18 billion in Taxes on Big Oil to Help Renewables
The U.S House today approved $18 billion in new taxes on the oil companies that will fund incentives for renewable energy. Bloomberg.com reports that the vote comes as crude oil prices topped $100 a barrel and will send the bill to the Senate, where similar measures have faced stiff opposition in the past: The $18.1 billion measure, versions of which …
Central Florida Buses to Run on Own Biodiesel
Buses in Central Florida will soon be running on a blend of their own biodiesel… a first in the country for any bus fleet. According to this story in the Orlando Sentinel, a $2.5 million state grant is helping Lynx, Central Florida’s bus system, convert all 290 of its buses and four support vehicles to run on biodiesel in 2009: …
California Working on Biofuel Access
While California leads the nation in alternative fuel stations, pumps offering E85 ethanol and biodiesel are still extremely rare. In fact, this Los Angeles Times story posted on Checkbiotech.org says that out of the 835 alternative fuel stations, 379 offer electricity, 215 pump liquefied petroleum gas, and 174 dispense compressed natural gas… with just a handful offering biodiesel or E85. …
London Biofuels Conference Set
Government to Greenpeace will be taking part in the Biofuels Conference at the end of April in London, England. The one-day conference is scheduled for April 29th and is being billed as the “must attend” event of 2008: Moderated by Sarah Montague of Radio 4, this high quality debate will outline the challenges of biofuel production and highlight possible future …
Katrina Helps Big Easy Go Green
The City of New Orleans will be running the buses that replace the losses from Hurricane Katrina on biodiesel. The New Orleans CityBusiness reports that the new buses will arrive this spring: The first of 39 new RTA buses will be delivered in April, a $15-million step toward replenishing a 372-bus fleet Hurricane Katrina cut by 205 ruined buses. Each …
Alabama City Collecting Used Oil for Biodiesel
Gadsden, Alabama is getting into the swing of biodiesel… and it’s depending on the community to help fuel the green move. This story in the Gadsden Times says the city is handing out jugs to residents to get them to collect their used cooking grease so it can be turned into biodiesel: The city is a partner in the program …
Midwest Governors Pick New Leaders
The new leaders of the Midwest Governors Association (MGA) are committing their group to the advancement of the biofuels they see as the future for their region. South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds will serve as chair with Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm as vice-chair: Under its new leadership, the Midwestern Governors Association will focus on strengthening state and federal efforts …
Outlook Puts Biofuels in Focus
Biofuels had a seat on the plenary panel entitled, “Getting It Right: Responding to Market Forces” at USDA’s 2008 Outlook Forum last week. Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen noted that while ethanol is “not a silver bullet” for all of America’s energy, economic and environmental issues, but “biofuels are absolutely a part of addressing each of them to some …