IRFA’s “Fuel the Future” Winners Announced

Joanna Schroeder

The winners of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s (IRFA) 4th Annual “Fuel the Future” Video Contest were announced today during the 8th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. The first place award and $1,000 went to John Low of Marion, Iowa. An 11th grader from Linn-Mar High School won for his highly entertaining, creative and informative video, “E15: The Fuel of …

Biodiesel, biofuels, E15, E85, Education, Ethanol, Iowa RFA, Video

Algae Biodiesel Fuel From Utah State

Jamie Johansen

Rhesa Ledbetter from Utah State University was one of the students who attended the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference. Chuck caught up with her for an interview and she explains her research in algae biodiesel fuel. Rhesa finished her master’s in micro-biology and then decided she wanted to do a project that was really applied. To her biodiesel products seemed to …

algae, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, Education, Video

American Made Message Delivered to Drivers on I-80

Joanna Schroeder

Patriot Renewable Fuels is delivering the message of the benefits of American made products with their new LED sign on Interstate 80 that was installed on December 20, 2013. The biorefinery is located just off I-80 and drivers can see the facility as they drive by, but Gene Griffith, president of Patriot notes that most drivers have no idea that …

Biodiesel, Education, Ethanol, Patriot Renewable Fuels

Iowa Renewable Fuel Awards Go To…

Joanna Schroeder

This years Biodiesel and Ethanol Marketing Awards went to Russ and Barb Danielsen from Southern Iowa Oil and Jason Stauffer from STAR Energy. The 2014 winners were announced by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. “Both winners have gone to great lengths to make biodiesel and ethanol more available to Iowa drivers and I appreciate the effort and investment they …

Biodiesel, biofuels, E15, Education, Ethanol

UCR Harnesses the Sun to Power Education

Joanna Schroeder

University of California Riverside (UCR), who just announced they are hosting a solar summit on February 6, 2014, has unveiled plans for a large-scale 10.92 acre solar farm to be located on the West Campus. UCR is partnering with SunPower Corporation for the project that when completed sometime in July of this year, will generate nearly three megawatts of electricity. …

Alternative energy, Education, Electricity, Solar

UC Riverside to Host Solar Energy Summit

Joanna Schroeder

The University of California, Riverside is hosting a summit focused on solar energy in Inland Southern California on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at its Bourns College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology. “Solar Energy in Inland Southern California: The Future is Now,” will take place from 7:30 am to 6 pm PST. The event is designed for city …

Alternative energy, Alternative Vehicles, Education, Solar

First Wind Supports Local Teachers

Joanna Schroeder

First Wind is supporting local teachers for the third year through its partnership with DonorsChoose.org. The program was developed to enhance the value of the company’s financial contributions in communities where they have wind projects. During 2013, the company will award $15,000 to teachers for educational efforts. Through DonorsChoose, First Wind supports teachers and their innovative classroom projects in its …

Alternative energy, Education, Electricity, Wind

Ecotech Institute Reveals Top Green Jobs for 2014

Joanna Schroeder

Green jobs are on the rise and 2014 is slated to be a great year for growth in the sustainable energy sector, according to Ecotech Institute. The Ecotech Institute Clean Jobs Index measures the reality of green jobs and other sustainability factors across the United States. The Index’s latest data reveals a bright outlook in 2014 for cleantech leaders, educators, …

Clean Energy, Education

Vivent Solar Sends Kids to Science Camp

Joanna Schroeder

Vivint Solar is sending kids to science camp. The solar company announced that it has matched the maximum fundraising efforts of $15,000 of the Windsor, California community to enable every sixth grader the opportunity to attend a three-day science camp in February. Due to budget cutbacks, the students were at risk of not being able to attend camp this next …

Alternative energy, Education, Solar

EPA RFS Proposal: A Slap in the Face of Vets

Joanna Schroeder

Darrell Rakestraw joined the military in 1982. A local boy who grew up on a centennial farm near Annawan, Illinois, he served his country in the army for nearly 20 years before retiring and moving back home with his family. During the time he was stationed in Germany, he came home on leave and heard everyone talking about how America …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Education, Ethanol, Patriot Renewable Fuels, RFS, Video