Aerosol Control Technologies (ACT) of Washington University in St. Louis, has won the $10,000 Missouri Clean Energy Student Challenge. The team will compete for more than $300,000 in prizes in the second annual Clean Energy Student Challenge on April 4, 2013 in Chicago. ACT is developing an advanced particulate matter capture system that will significantly improve diesel engine efficiency using …
Ethanol Industry Responds to API E15 Study
The American Petroleum Institute (API), released a new E15 study today and representatives of all the major ethanol industry associations issued statements. In addition, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) held a media conference to discuss why the study oil-funded study was “flawed” and “misleading”. Ethanol experts Kristy Moore, Vice President for Technical Services for RFA, along with Bob Reynolds, President …
Iowa Senator Harkin to Retire
Iowa Senator and renewable fuel advocate Tom Harkin has announced over the weekend that he will retire after his current term. Leading up to the 2014 elections, Harkin will have served five terms. He said in a statement he will spend more time with his family. In response to the news, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today thanked Senator …
Photovoltaics Versus Biofuels in Energy Conversion
How does energy produced by the sun (solar) compete with ethanol in terms of land use, life-cycle emissions and cost? These questions are being asked by University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Professor Roland Geyer. He wants to know what makes more sense, growing fuel crops to supply alternative-fuel vehicles with ethanol or …
Chicken Wing Shortage for Super Bowl?
Despite the win going to the renewable energy industry for the Renewable Fuel Standard to remain in play with no penalties, the National Chicken Council is still attempting to blame the RFS and biofuels for the reduced number of chicken wings this coming Super Bowl. In response to the rough play, Growth Energy called several penalties: “Roughing the facts” – …
Get a Biodiesel Update During IRFA Summit
Those attending the 7th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit will have the opportunity to learn about biodiesel along with a host of other information about biofuels. The FREE event takes place on January 30, 2013 at The Meadows Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa. The “More B For Me” biodiesel panel will include Terry Murray, a livestock and crop farmer from …
Study Looks at Environmental Benefits of Ethanol
According to a new study performed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, corn grown using no-till methods may sequester larger amounts of carbon than previously believed. The study was published in BioEnergy Research and showed that corn grown over a 10-year period using no-till practices sequesters carbon in the soil to depths as far as 59 inches under the surface. …
First E85 Station Opens in Richmond, Virginia
The first E85 station has opened in Richmond, Virginia. In addition, MAPCO Express, has “re-branded” their retail stores under the “East Coast” brand and the three new E85 stations, two near Richmond and one near Washington, D.C. will be sold under this brand. Partners in the projects included Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, Protec Fuel, MAPCO Express and the Virginia, …
Pearson Fuels Recieves $1.35M for E85
Pearson Fuels (RTC Fuels, LLC) has been awarded $1.35 million for the installation of E85 dispensing equipment at 19 existing fueling stations throughout California. The monies were part of $3.27 million allocated by the California Energy Commission (CEC) for projects that will help the state reduce transportation sector emissions. CEC estimates the E85 fuel market in the state will eventually …
Biodiesel Production Exceeds 1 Billion Gallons
According to statistics provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) biodiesel production in the U.S. broke the 1 billion mark for the second consecutive year. The total volume of nearly 1.1 billion gallons was roughly flat over 2011 production, exceeding it by just 6 million gallons. “These numbers reflect the ongoing growth and development of our industry and represent real …