Presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-New York) and John McCain (R-Arizona) made separate stops at two Renewable Energy Group biodiesel facilities during their campaigns in Iowa today. Clinton toured the 30-million gallon REG network biodiesel production facility in Newton, while McCain attended the ribbon-cutting of the new REG headquarters in Ames. The fact that two national candidates are pushing biodiesel …
Massachusetts Bill Proposes Biofuels Targets
Massachusetts lawmakers will consider a proposal designed to increase that state’s use of biofuels. State Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Sal DiMasi, working with Governor Deval Patrick, filed a bill today that sets usage standards and creates a state Biofuels Task Force, responsible for addressing issues, such as energy crop incentives, tax credits for advanced biofuels research and …
School’s Grassroots Biodiesel Now Fueling Buses
What started as a project to brew biodiesel in some old pots from the school cafeteria has turned into a 100,000-gallon-a-year production line that saves the school an estimated $125,000 a year in fuel costs. This story in the Charlotte (NC) Observer says two years ago, the Gaston County Schools started making their own biodiesel from leftover grease from a …
Pacer Named Georgia Biofuels Pioneer
Pacer Fuels of Austell, GA., has been named a “Pioneer in Biofuels” by Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin. Pacer Fuels, the sole provider of alternative fuels to the fleet of vehicles operated by Peachtree City (PC), was honored for its development and marketing of biofuels. Here, in a ceremonial fueling of a PC Fire Truck, are; Charise Stephens, Georgia Clean …
Biodiesel Documentary Maker Screening Film
Jessica Kelly, maker of the documentary “Revolution Green: A True Story of Biodiesel in America,” returned to her alma mater, the University of Colorado, for a screening this past weekend of her movie. In a story from Boulder’s (CO) Daily Camera, Kelly explains that a year ago on Thanksgiving she was at Willie Nelson’s home, and the oil used to …
New Mexico Biodiesel Plant Project Gets Green Light
A plan to build a 75-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant has received approval from the Clovis, New Mexico City Commission. This AP story from television station KOB says the plant will make biodiesel from animal fat: The agreement is with an Australian company that plans to build a biodiesel plant near the eastern New Mexico community. The agreement lets American Renewable Fuels …
Biofuels Research at Arizona State
The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University is launching a Renewable Biofuel Research Initiative. Science Foundation Arizona and energy company BP are funding the initiative meant to propel the development of a renewable source of biofuel. The research effort focuses on using a specially optimized photosynthetic bacterium to produce biodiesel, a sustainable high-energy fuel that can be used in conventional …
EPA Issues Biodiesel Guidance
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued its guidance to biodiesel producers. Biodiesel Magazine reports that the document, named “Guidance for Biodiesel Producers and Biodiesel Blenders/Users,” addresses biodiesel quality, harmonization of standards, and enforcement activities. “EPA also plans to increase enforcement efforts to ensure that biodiesel producers are complying with EPA’s standards, in particular ensuring that all biodiesel meets ASTM D6751,” …
Iowa Soybean Growers Call for Biodiesel Incentives-First Approach
The Iowa Soybean Association is calling on Iowa lawmakers to take an incentives-first approach to biodiesel policy in the upcoming legislative session. This story on Grainnet.com says they’re suggesting legislators consider some market-driven strategies: Highlights of this plan include: • an increase in the current retail tax credit program, • creation of a “bulk sales” incentive, • new infrastructure support …
Making Biodiesel from Sludge and Wood Chips
A Tennessee company will try to make biodiesel out of sludge from the Chattanooga public works and wood chips. This story posted on Chattanooga.com says the city council has given GSL Energy Solutions the green light on a six-month, test contract: Gerry Harstine, president, said the bio-diesel produced by the process has a higher BTU than ethanol. He said it …