The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the green light to E15 ethanol … or maybe a “pale” green light, in the case where it is a partial waiver to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline for 2007 model year vehicles or newer. In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we hear from EPA Assistant Administrator for …
High-Speed Midwest Train Looks to Run on Biodiesel
A new high-speed passenger train between Chicago and Iowa City could end up running on biodiesel. Medill Reports Chicago has this piece on a high-speed rail line that the Iowa and Illinois departments of transportation just received $230 million to build, part of the federal government’s $8 billion plan to modernize the rail system with nine high speed rail lines …
Report: US Military to Get Off Petroleum by 2040
A group that develops national security and defense policies says the American military needs to be ready for a future without petroleum. If recent tests … and testing to come … are any indication, our warfighters are already preparing for that contingency through the use of biofuels. This article from EV World says the Center for New American Security’s (CNAS) …
Lame Ducks Could Renew Biodiesel, Ethanol Tax Breaks
Groups that represent the biodiesel and ethanol industries in this country believe when Congress comes back to Washington after the election … for what is known as the lame duck session … members could renew the pending federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax credit and the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC). Michael Frohlich, Director of Federal Communications for the National Biodiesel …
Proposed Pennsylvania Tax Threatens Biodiesel
A bill pending before the Pennsylvania State Legislature could hurt the biodiesel industry in that state. Biodiesel Magazine reports an amendment to SB 901 would slap some new fuel taxes on places that sell biodiesel and could affect selling and blending biodiesel in surrounding states: The amended legislation establishes a total of four of these registration fees: – $5,000 for …
EPA Announces Decision on Higher Ethanol Blends
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted a partial waiver to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline for 2007 model year vehicles or newer. A decision on the use of E15 in model year 2001 to 2006 vehicles will be made after EPA receives the results of additional DOE testing, which is expected to be completed in November. …
Fragmented Approval for Ethanol Boost Expected
All eyes in the ethanol industry are on the Environmental Protection Agency this morning, awaiting a ruling on the waiver to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in regular gasoline that was requested in March of 2009. Industry sources are expecting to see a fragmented approval of E15, allowing it in cars 2007 and newer, but waiting for more testing …
Ag Secretary to Make “Major” Biofuels Speech
Later this month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will give a “major speech on domestic biofuel production.” According to USDA, Vilsack will discuss the progress USDA and other federal agencies are making toward achieving the 36 billion gallon biofuel production goal mandated by the Renewable Fuels Standard and new efforts by the Obama administration to bolster the industry and reduce U.S. …
Bioheat Focus of National Biodiesel Board Webinar
The success of New York City’s 2 percent biodiesel requirement in heating oil … a mix known as bioheat … was recently touted during a webinar hosted by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). City Councilman James F. Gennaro, who spearheaded the Big Apple’s bioheat mandate, explained that New York started with using biodiesel in its heavy duty truck fleets. That …
Energy Awareness Month Puts Focus on Biodiesel
It is the first and only domestically produced advanced biofuel produced in the U.S., so it’s no wonder biodiesel is being highlighted during October, Energy Awareness Month. The green fuel’s biggest advocate, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), is taking this month to draw attention to biodiesel and its role in “POWERING AMERICA: We’re On Target,” the theme for the next …