The biodiesel industry is calling on Congress to quickly pass a measure that would renew the biodiesel tax credit. The new legislation, sponsored by Sens. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Reps. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J), includes a key reform restructuring the incentive from a blender’s credit to a producer’s credit focused on domestic production. …
Biodico to Cut Ribbon on Calif. Biodiesel Plant
Biodiesel maker Biodico will hold an official ribbon cutting ceremony today at 11:30 a.m. PST for its 20 million gallon per year biodiesel production facility in Five Points, California. The company says the refinery will produce the green fuel from all fats and oils available and will specialize in producing low carbon intensity fuels under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. …
Army Turning Artillery Shells into Biodiesel
You’ve heard about pounding swords into plowshares. Well, how about making bombs into biodiesel? This article from the U.S. Army says that’s the idea behind Army researchers, in concert with biofuel maker Algenol Biotech LLC, using algae to turn the propellant in artillery rounds into biodiesel. “Because the algae-based process uses photosynthesis, it actually consumes carbon dioxide,” said Pamela Sheehan, …
Oilseeds, Corn Rise on Biodiesel, Ethanol Numbers
Futures prices for oilseeds, such as soybeans, as well as the price of corn rose after the federal government’s announcement on the amount of biodiesel and ethanol to be blended into the nation’s fuel supply. This report from Nasdaq says soybean prices rose to a five-week high, while corn prices also saw some gains. Buying in the soybean-oil market also …
#Biodiesel Board Outlines Positives in #RFS Rule
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) held a press call today to explain why they are so pleased with the final rule on volume obligations for biodiesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). First of all, NBB CEO Joe Jobe says the rule shows steady growth for biomass-based diesel from 2012 through 2017. “It grows the program from a billion gallons …
#Ag Industry Split on Final #RFS Rules
The #Ag industry is split on the final #RFS (Renewable Fuel Standard) rules that were released yesterday by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While the RVOs (renewable volume obligations) were an improvement over the proposed rules released in May of this year, the #Ag industry is calling on the EPA to further strengthen the legislation and increase the amount of corn …
McD’s Cooking Oil Biodiesel Runs to Mars and Back
Biodiesel made from McDonald’s used cooking oil in the United Arab Emirates hit an impressive milestone: running the equivalent of the distance to Mars and back. This article in the UAE’s The National says McDonald’s UAE fleet completed 5 million kilometres this month fueled entirely by biodiesel. The green fuel is possible thanks to a four-year partnership between Mickey D’s …
Researchers Sequence Algae Genome for Biodiesel
Researchers at the University of Washington have sequenced the genome for a type of algae and found important information for biodiesel production. This news release from the school says the scientists sequenced the complete genetic makeup of the important and plentiful algae, known as haptophytes. “Haptophytes are really important in carbon dioxide management and they form a critical link in …
Biodiesel Industry Welcomes #RFS RVO Numbers
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for years 2014, 2015 and 2016 as well as the volumes for the biomass-based diesel category for 2014-2017 that includes biodiesel volumes. The volumes were raised since the proposal in May 2015 and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) welcomed the improved #RFS …
Final #RFS RVO Numbers from @EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program Monday for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, and final volume requirements for biomass-based diesel for 2014 to 2017. The rule finalizes higher volumes of renewable fuel than the levels EPA proposed in June, according to Janet McCabe, the acting assistant administrator for EPA’s …