Several of the top alternative fuel experts in the U.S. have joined forces to form the Alternative Fuel Training Network, launched this month on the website AFVtraining.net. With a rise in alternative fuel vehicles on the road coupled with a rise in biofuels and alternative fuels at the pump, a need has been created for professional alternative fuel fleet training. …
Rally Without a Cause
As the sun shines on Capitol Hill this week, motorcycles are rolling in to to participate in the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) “E15 Fuel for Thought Lobby Day” sponsored by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Associations (AFPM). While ethanol industry representatives has shown frustration, Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) couldn’t help but chuckle. …
Motorcycles & E15
The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) is hosting an event for motorcycle riders to come to Washington, D.C. and lobby on Capitol Hill. They want to stop E15 from being sold until testing has been done on motorcycles to see if harm or damage will occur. In response, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) held a press call to discuss motorcycles and …
Needed Now: Farm Bill with Energy Funding
For two years the Senate has passed its version of a farm bill. Last year the House did not and later this week is set to debate its version of the bill. During this process, the current farm bill was extended but ag, energy and other groups are at a full court press to get a bill passed before the …
DoD Biofuels Program Weathers Senate Storm
Somebody in Washington must be looking out for biofuels. On the heels of the full U.S. Senate passing the the Farm Bill and its provisions friendly to biofuels (including $38 million for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, about $160 million for the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance program, and possibly up to $88 million for the Rural …
Renmatix, UPM Ink Biochemicals Deal
Provider of sugars for biofuels Renmatix teams up with European pulp and paper giant UPM in an agreement to develop biochemicals. This Renmatix news release says the companies will use Renmatix’s water-based Plantrose™ process to convert woody biomass into low-cost sugar intermediates for subsequent downstream processing into biochemicals. “We are very excited about this truly collaborative endeavor. It combines UPM’s …
Colombians Find Algae with Biodiesel Potential
Researchers in Colombia have found a couple of strains of freshwater algae that could be good for biodiesel. FIS.com reports that the scientists at the National University of Colombia (UNC) believe Scenedesmus ovalternus and Chlorella vulgaris will produce biodiesel with less impact on the environment. Luis Miguel Serrano Bermudez, Master in Chemical Engineering at the UNC and one of the …
Genscape Adds to Biofuels Info with Landviewer Buy
Provider of energy information for commodity and financial markets Genscape has bought LandViewer to expand its technology footprint in the biofuels industry. Genscape says, using NASA satellite data to get daily updates of corn vegetation progress, the LandViewer platform gives corn traders and buyers land use and crop progress information on a sub-regional level so they know where to source …
USDA: $98.6 Mil Available for Advanced Biofuels
The USDA is making available up to $98.6 million to support the production of advanced biofuels. This news release from the agency says it will be an opportunity for eligible producers to submit applications and strengthen the rural economy: “The United States is on the path to a cleaner, more secure energy future,” [Agriculture Secretary Tom] Vilsack said. “By helping …
Ethanol Fuels Promotion in Minnesota
Friday, June 14, 2013, drivers of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can fill up for less at the Short Stop Quick Mart at 4725 Quail Road NE, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. FFVs drivers can use any blend of ethanol from E10 to E85, 85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline. The promotion will take place from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm and there is …