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 …
Having Your Fuel and Eating It, Too
There’s been a lot of debate over the use of some foods as feedstocks for biofuels. But a company in Canada might have the solution that allows those feedstocks to be made into biodiesel, while retaining the proteins that are needed for animal feeds. This article in Canada’s Globe and Mail says BioExx employs a “cold process” that not only …
Wisconsin Budget Gains Biodiesel Group’s Praise
It took a lot longer than anticipated, but lawmakers in Wisconsin have finally reached agreement on that state’s budget… and the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association (WBA) says its $26 million renewable energy package will help make the state competitive in the biodiesel business. This story in Wisconsin Ag Connection says the WBA is applauding the approval of the biodiesel measures in …
Biofuels for the Mid-level Consumer
The biofuels boom is leaving out a big piece of the consumer pie: mid-level consumers. Well, that’s what Pacific Natural Energy believes. PNE also believes it has the perfect “pie filling.” The energy company has introduced it’s BioBox Mobile Processor as the perfect, viable biodiesel solution for the middle men. Everyone’s heard of the avid garage-based hobbyist brewing a biodiesel …
America Wants Renewable Fuels Now
A new coalition that supports increased use of domestically produced renewable fuels says nearly three out of four Americans want renewable fuels. According to a new national poll released today by the Renewable Fuels Now Coalition, 74 percent of Americans believe we should increase our use of domestically produced renewable fuels like ethanol. In addition, 87 percent of Americans maintain …
Soybean Growers Tout Dual Use Beans
Growers of soybeans are pointing out that the process used to extract oil to make into biodiesel does not change the feed quality of soybean meal. The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is reminding livestock producers they don’t have to cut out soybean meal just because the demand for soybeans has increased: Crushing soybeans for biodiesel does not change the meal …
Smiling Earth Lawsuit
Smiling Earth Energy, the company that is proposing to build a 320-million-gallon biodiesel plant along the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, is being sued by an Oregon biodiesel company for failing to provide the promised $310 million in financing for a West Coast biodiesel plant… and then refusing to return a $100,000 deposit to the Oregon company. This story in the …