The National Biodiesel Board is applauding the U.S. House’s passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 by a 314-100. The U.S. Senate passed identical legislation last week, and President Bush has indicated he will sign it. The biggest selling point of the bill is the significant expansion of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) that will increase the …
Biodiesel Seller Warns Against Mandate
“Here’s the rub with a mandate. We can mandate that people have to buy biodiesel. It doesn’t create vegetable oil” Those are the words of John Campbell, vice president of Omaha-based Ag Processing, Inc. It might seem a bit strange coming from a guy who works for a biodiesel-producing and selling company. But this article from the Des Moines (IA) …
At Home with Biodiesel
There’s been plenty of talk about using biodiesel in our vehicles. But some people might not know that the green fuel is good for keeping your home warm on these cold winter nights. This story in the Eugene (OR) Register-Guard says one company in that area has overwhelming support for biodiesel as a home-heating oil: Automatic Heat serves about 2,000 …
Oil Prices Have Greatest Impact on Renewables
A survey conducted at the recent University of Minnesota’s E3 2007 Conference: The Midwest’s Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference says attendees believe oil prices will be the primary driver of sustainable energy development and commercialization in the Midwest. The survey was conducted by Millenium Research, Inc. asking the opinions of the more than 400 experts, representing research, government, business, …
Energy in the Farm Bill
The Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 passed by the Senate last week includes increased funding for alternative energy sources. “I’m particularly excited about the energy title,” said Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), ranking Republican on the Senate Ag Committee. “The energy title gives farmers in my part of the country an opportunity to participate in alternative energy, ethanol and …
Philly Area Moms Help Buses Fuel with Biodiesel
About 55,000 students in the Philadelphia area will be riding to school on more than 500 buses fueled with biodiesel starting next year. This story in the Philadelphia Inquirer says the enironmentally-friendly fuel is being brought to buses in the Coatesville Area, Downingtown Area, Kennett Consolidated and West Chester Area School Districts thanks to help from a local organization: The …
NBB Praises Energy Bill Passage
The National Biodiesel Board is applauding the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Energy Bill… especially the section of the bill that expands the Renewable Fuels Standard: The expanded RFS requires a specific renewable requirement for diesel fuel that will be met by biodiesel and other renewable biomass-based diesel fuels. Increasing the minimum renewable requirement in the diesel pool from 500 …
Downtown Seattle Gets First Biodiesel Station
Propel Biodiesel is setting up shop in downtown Seattle, the first biodiesel fueling station in that city’s downtown area. This story in the Seattle (WA) Post-Intelligencer has more details: The 9,000 square foot biodiesel station — to open at the southwest corner of Westlake Avenue and Valley Street in March 2008 — is slated to feature four biodiesel pumps offering …
El Paso Gives Biodiesel Producer Tax Break
The City of El Paso, Texas has given its first biodiesel producer a property tax break. City council members have given Global Alternative Fuels, which is planning on building a $9 million biodiesel plant on a 30-acre site, according to this story in the El Paso Times: By a 5-1 vote, the council approved a five-year, 50 percent refund on …
Pennsylvania Senate Passes Energy & Biodiesel Bills
Pennsylvania’s State Senate has passed several bills in the last couple of days that will help renewable energy efforts in the Keystone State. The Houston (TX) Chronicle reports a $650 million omnibus energy bill and two biodiesel measures received passage on the last day of business for Senate for the year: “This is a wonderful start and is a great …