D-Day Invader Traveling Around U.S. on Biodiesel

John Davis

She stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6th, 1944 in a bid to free Europe of Nazi tyranny. Now, LST (Landing Ship Tank) 325 is storming its way around America, running on biodiesel… possibly showing Americans how to shed their dependence on the tyranny of foreign oil. This article on Grainnet.com says the flat-bottomed troop transport, designed to run …

Biodiesel

California Biodiesel Producers Start Group

John Davis

In an effort to promote increased use and production of high quality, renewable biodiesel fuel in California, biodiesel producers in the Golden State have formed a trade group, the California Biodiesel Alliance. This article from the Central Valley Business Times says founding members of the group are biodiesel feedstock suppliers, producers, fuel marketers and distributors, technology providers, fuel retailers, consumers, …

Biodiesel

Farmers Being Asked to Use Soy Biodiesel at Harvest Time

John Davis

As the combines get ready to crank up to bring in this year’s grain harvest, farmers are being asked to fill up on fuel made from part of their crops. This story on The Farmer.com says the United Soybean Board has teamed up with National Biodiesel Board to launch a campaign asking farmers to use soy biodiesel in their harvesting …

Biodiesel

Poisonous Plant Could Be Answer in Food vs. Fuel Debate

John Davis

As the debate continues to rage over using some foodstuffs for fuel, there seems to be a plant that could solve the issue. The jatropha plant from Africa has been used for centuries as a natural hedge. Now, it could be a natural substitute for plants such as soybeans in the search for feedstocks for biodiesel. This story on CNNMoney.com …

Biodiesel

Chesapeake Biodiesel Plant Gets Environmental Evaluation

John Davis

Engineers for the company developing a 320-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant on a river around Chesapeake Bay in Virginia have looked at the possible impact the facility would have on the surrounding wetlands. WAVY-TV in Portsmouth, VA reports that the facility will be on the Elizabeth River: “Our site is designed every step of the way to minimize any impact on the …

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Project Kicks off in Pocatello

John Davis

Five departments of the City of Pocatello, Idaho are making the switch to biodiesel for their fleet of vehicles. This story from KIFI-TV says the move comes after months of careful planning: [T]he City of Pocatello has initiated a Biodiesel Pilot Project with a portion of the City’s diesel fleet. The current pilot project will be initially conducted with B20, …

Biodiesel

North Carolina Drives Toward Statewide Ethanol Fuel Blend

John Davis

A newly appropriated biofuel center in North Carolina will be the state’s launch pad for its latest targeted benchmark with biofuels. Catalyzing an entire new industry for North Carolina is the long-term task of the newly established Biofuels Center of North Carolina, which moved to reality Tuesday following its first board of directors meeting. Funded with a $5 million initial …

BIO, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Facilities, Legislation

Coast to Coast Biofuels Workshops

Cindy Zimmerman

No matter which coast you call home, BBI has a Biofuels Workshop for you this fall. The Western Region workshop will be held October 9-11 in Portland, Oregon. The conference includes an opening keynote address from Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and a conclusion on “Policies and Technologies for a Sustainable Biofuels Industry” by Alex Farrell, Assistant Professor, Energy and Resources …

Biodiesel, conferences, Ethanol, News

Biofuels Forum in Vegas

Cindy Zimmerman

The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute’s “Biofuels Drive Economic Solutions Forum” in Las Vegas this month will feature an automotive journalist and an energy expert as keynote speakers. According to an AFVi news release, Michael Caudill, automotive journalist for KTLA in Los Angeles, and expert on the vehicle marketplace kicks off the morning with his insightful automotive forecast. Nationally recognized energy …

Biodiesel, conferences, EPIC, Ethanol, News

Bike-friendly, Pet-friendly Bus Line Getting More Earth-friendly

John Davis

In an effort to get back on the road, Shared Route… a colorful, biodiesel bus that runs between Portland, Oregon and Olympia and Seattle, Washington… will run on vegetable oil. This blog post in the Seattle (WA) Post-Intelligencer says the bus service known for its welcoming arms to bikes and pets… as well as the human passengers… has been suspended …

Biodiesel