Illinois Ups Biodiesel Mandate to 5 Percent

John Davis

Legislation that increases the amount of biodiesel state and local governments in Illinois must use has been signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn. Biodiesel Magazine reports now the biodiesel blend for use by diesel-powered vehicles owned by the state or local governments when refueling at a bulk central fueling facility moves up from 2 to 5 percent: The Illinois …

Biodiesel, Government

California Groups Awarded DOE Funds for 55 E85 Stations

Mike Lewis of Pearson Fuels said, “I am excited to see that we are now in a stronger position to bring alternative fuel infrastructure to the hundreds of thousands of flexible fuel vehicles already on the California roads while measurably reducing the State`s dependence on foreign oil imports.” Pearson Fuels already has 13 E85 stations within California. He claims that …

E85, Ethanol, Government

Grassley to Host EPA Officials at Iowa Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will play host to a pair of EPA officials at an Iowa biodiesel plant this coming Thursday at 3 pm. Let’s hope he can use the opportunity to teach them the REAL math behind the amount of corn and soybeans it takes to make ethanol and biodiesel. This story from Biodiesel Magazine says Grassley will …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, News

More Green Collar Jobs for Iowa

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa Governor Chet Culver is taking action to create more green jobs in Iowa. Culver signed an executive order last week which creates the Iowa Green Jobs Task Force. “In recent years, thanks to our efforts in biofuels and wind energy, we have created thousands of green-collar jobs for Iowans,” said Governor Culver. “However, if we are to expand these …

Energy, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Wind

Is Cash for Clunker’s Program A Clunker?

Joanna Schroeder

The Cash for Clunker’s program is in full swing yet keeps hitting potholes. Less than one week after it was launched, it ran out of money and the Senate/Congress passed another $2 billion for the program but to get the money, took it from current biofuels programs that were designated as part of the Recovery & Reinvestment Act. Now, the …

Car Makers, Environment, Government, News, politics

IN Corn Gives Money for E85

“These funds will encourage fuel retailers to offer E85 and consumers to use E85 in their flex-fuel vehicles,” said Mike Shuter, ICMC president and a Frankton, Indiana farmer. “The ethanol industry is a major market for our corn and this program allows us to use our corn checkoff funds to help grow demand for ethanol, which grows demand for corn. …

corn, E85, Ethanol, Government

Grassley, Cantwell Introduce Bi-Partisan Biodiesel Bill

John Davis

A bill that would extend the biodiesel tax incentive by five years, as well as changing the way the program is administered, has been introduced. SustainableBusiness.com reports it is a bi-partisan measure from Democrat U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington state and Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa: The Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act is expected to provide …

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

Congress Takes Cash for Clunkers from Loan Program

Cindy Zimmerman

“Cash for Clunkers” has another $2 billion to get less fuel-efficient vehicles off the road – but the renewable energy loan guarantee program has $2 billion less for research into alternative fuels. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen says Congress should replace those borrowed funds as soon as possible. “While the cash for clunkers idea has merit, it …

Ethanol News, Government, RFA