John Deere Promoting Biodiesel Green

John Davis

John Deere Green might be more than just a highly recognizable color… it could be a way of life for the tractor-making giant. A quick mention on TheHorse.com is directing readers to John Deere’s expanded web site on biodiesel and biofuels information: “The biodiesel content on the Web site will help provide farmers and others interested in biofuels with more …

Biodiesel

U.S. Ethanol Giant Expanding into International Biodiesel Market

John Davis

Archer Daniels Midland Co…. ADM… is already the largest ethanol producer in the U.S. Now, company officials want to become a major player in the international biodiesel market. Reuters quotes a Wall Street Journal report that says ADM plans to partner with Wilmar International to start a biodiesel plant in Indonesia. ADM will also have a biodiesel plant of its …

Biodiesel

Students On Board with Biodiesel… Literally

John Davis

Here’s a truly inspirational story. A group of students in Salt Lake City bought a bus on eBay to use for class trips. Now, the students at City Academy are even making their own biodiesel to drive the thing! Check out this story from KSL-TV: Their science teacher Shea Wickelson is helping them learn how to make biodiesel, a combination …

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Heating Up in Brazil

John Davis

Carnaval (Mardi Gras) is not the only hot thing in Brazil at this time of year. A U.S. firm is investing $35 million dollars in Brazil’s burgeoning biodiesel industry. Check out this story from CattleNetwork.com: “We are going to build a facility capable of producing 28 million gallons of biodiesel from soy and sunflower oils,” said Tyler Bruch, president and …

Biodiesel, International

Tribe’s Waste Cooking Oil Fuels Reservation

John Davis

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe straddling the U.S.-Canada border is working with Clarkson University in Upstate New York to turn the tribe’s used cooking oil from its casino into biodiesel. The fuel produced is expected to be more than enough to power the reservation’s solid waste facility generators and maintenance vehicles. According to a release on Clarkson’s website, the tribe …

Biodiesel, International

Ciba Introduces Chemical to Stabilize Biodiesel

John Davis

Switzerland-based chemical company Ciba Specialty Chemicals has come up with a biodiesel additive touted to protect against degradation and oxidation to help extend the storage life of biodiesel. According to a press release on the company’s web site, the chemical will help make fuel quality consistent… no matter what the feedstock and process… and that will help the biodiesel meet …

Biodiesel, International

VW Highlighted during “Real World Driving” at Alt Fuel Summit

John Davis

Attendees at the Designing Sustainable Mobility Summit in Southern California drove some of Volkswagen’s vehicles sporting the latest in alternative energy engines including biodiesel and hydrogen. This story on the Italian website, DueMotori.com, says those participating got the chance to try out these alternative fuels in a real-world driving environment… on local public roads: “It’s important to demonstrate that raising …

Biodiesel, Hydrogen

President’s Radio Address Focuses on Energy

Cindy Zimmerman

In his weekly radio address to the nation Saturday, President Bush expressed optimism that energy policy is one area where both Republicans and Democrats can work together and make some progress. “Republicans and Democrats both recognize these problems. We agree on the solution: We need to diversify our energy supply and make America less dependent on foreign oil,” said the …

Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Energy, Ethanol, Government, News

Soybean Growers Call for Higher Subsidies to Help Biodiesel

John Davis

The American Soybean Association is asking Congress to raise soybean subsidies and provide an incentive payment to encourage development of biodiesel. From the ASA web site: Marketing loan rates should be set at a minimum of 95 percent, and target prices at a minimum of 130 percent, of this price average. For soybeans, these percentages would establish a $5.01/bushel loan …

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

Arkansas Legislature Moves Forward on $20 Mil Alt Fuels Bill

John Davis

The Arkansas State Legislature’s House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development has unanimously approved a bill that would provide $20 million in tax dollars for the development of alternative fuels. The bill is sponsored by House Speaker Benny Petrus (D-Stuttgart). This from the Associated Press story in the Houston (TX) Chronicle: “This is the only platform I’ve had as …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News