There is a surge of new diesel vehicles entering the U.S. market place in response to the need for better fuel economy along with lower fuel emissions. The diesel industry has been promoting low diesel fuels, and in some cases, diesel fuel has been labeled an “advanced fuel.” For example, Rentech has created a diesel fuel called RenDiesel that can …
Electric Cars More Impactful Than RES
Which is better for our country in terms of oil dependence? Enacting a Renewable Energy Standard (RES) or moving forward with developing and deploying electric vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure? According to a new report released by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, electric cars hold greater promise for reducing emissions and lowering U.S. oil imports than a national …
Biodiesel Vaporized into Substitute Natural Gas
A Maryland company has found a way to vaporize biodiesel into a natural gas substitute that can be turned into renewable electric power. LPP Combustion, LLC announced it has installed the hardware on a demonstration unit in Columbia, MD to get some operational experience: Generally, combustion of biodiesel in gas turbines requires extra refinement of the fuel due to impurities …
2010 Fuel Scorecard Released
The Truman National Security Project has released its 2010 Fuel Scorecard and ethanol scores near the top of the list as viable fuel options for the future. Based on several factors that affect America’s security including instability of supplier country, opposition to American values, climate disruption, possibility of threat to supply chain, and cost spike volatility, ethanol scores as the …
Oil Imports In July Highest in 18 Months
Foreign oil imports are up for the first time in 18 months according to the latest figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The U.S. imported 65 percent of its oil, or 388 million barrels in July 2010, sending nearly $29.6 billion or $663,231 per minute to foreign countries. This is the highest number of barrels of oil imported in …
Pickens Says Natural Gas Only Diesel Replacement; Biodiesel Says Wha….?
T. Boone Pickens is making a new pitch for natural gas to be the fuel of the future, especially in America’s big rigs. However, while declaring natural gas as the only replacement for petroleum diesel, the billionaire oilman seems to forget that biodiesel is already a great source to replace petroleum-based products… without having to convert any engines. In the …
Natural Gas Becoming Mainstream Fuel
A trend in Canada that shows natural gas moving from a niche fuel to the mainstream might be an indication of a more prevalent direction for that fuel worldwide. This article from the Globe and Mail (thanks to @pickensplan on Twitter for the tip!) says environmental benefits, plentiful supplies and low costs are helping improve natural gas’ prospects: For natural …
Verizon Fitting Ford Vans with CNG
Communications giant Verizon is adding about 500 Ford cargo vans that will burn compressed natural gas (CNG). This Ford press release calls the work on the E-250 cargo vans an upfit that will help Verizon reduce its energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions: “Verizon’s fleet team is constantly on the watch for new, lower-carbon technology,” [Ken McKenney, Sustainable Fleet-Technical Engineering …
GM Offering Natural Gas Vans for Fleets
Automaker General Motors is offering some natural-gas-powered vans, but they won’t be for the average driver. USA Today reports GM will offer compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in versions of the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans for commercial fleets: “We’re listening to our fleet customers and dealers about offering options that help them achieve …