Propel Fuels Jumps Onto Inc. 500 List

Joanna Schroeder

Propel Fuels has been named to Inc. Magazine’s annual “Inc. 500” list of American’s fastest growing private companies. During the past three years, the company has grown more than 1,000 percent making them the 17th fastest growing company in the energy sector and 352nd overall. Today Propel operates 28 fueling locations along the west coast with plans for at least …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Natural Gas

Car Drives on Primus’ New Biomass & Natural Gas Fuel

John Davis

To show off their new $7 million demonstration plant in Hillsborough, New Jersey, the folks at Primus Green Energy’s took out for a spin a car fueled with the company’s 93-octane gasoline made from natural gas and biomass. Primus offcials were joined by several federal, state and local officials, including former N.J. Gov. James J. Florio: The speakers’ remarks centered …

biomass, Natural Gas

President Calls for Alternative Fueling Stations

Cindy Zimmerman

During a speech at a truck manufacturing plant in Mount Holly, North Carolina this week, President Obama outlined specifics for an energy plan that includes alternative-fueled vehicles and fueling stations. “We’ve got to develop every source of American energy — not just oil and gas, but wind power and solar power, nuclear power, biofuels,” Obama said, noting that he has …

Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Government, Growth Energy, Natural Gas, Solar, Wind

Andersen Windows Converts Fleet to Natural Gas

Window-maker, Andersen Corporation, will begin converting its transportation fleet to use compressed natural gas (CNG), reducing both operating costs and carbon dioxide emissions for the company. A new fueling station, located at the Cedar County Cooperative Cenex near the company’s plant in Menomonie, Wis., will provide the alternative fuel for Andersen. The conversion of the first seven trucks to CNG …

Fleet, Natural Gas

Post Office Goes Green for the Holidays

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Postal Service may be in the red but they’ve been promoting going green this holiday season. “The Postal Service is one of the greenest mailing and shipping companies in the world,” said Thomas G. Day, chief sustainability officer. The eco-friendly options offered by USPS include mailing and shipping supplies, free package pickup and holiday cards printed on recycled …

Electric Vehicles, Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Natural Gas, Propane

USDA Studies Yeast and Enzymes for Ethanol Production

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are studying a new yeast that could help make cellulosic ethanol production less expensive and a commercial enzyme that could reduce overall costs linked with producing ethanol from grain. Molecular biologist Zonglin Lewis Liu with ARS’ National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria found a biorefinery yeast that successfully ferments plant sugars from …

Cellulosic, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Natural Gas, Research, USDA

Consumer Fuel Choice Campaign Launched

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol, biodiesel, propane, natural gas, electricity – even regular gasoline – consumers should have choices at the pump and a new campaign is urging lawmakers in Washington to make that happen. More than 20 worldwide leaders in the effort to commercialize next-generation transportation fuels today announced the new campaign, called FuelChoiceNow. Among the companies that have joined the effort are …

AEC, Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Cellulosic, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Natural Gas, Propane

Book Review – The Powers That Be

Joanna Schroeder

I felt like an academic when I read this week’s book, “The Powers That Be Global Energy For The Twenty-First Century And Beyond,” although author Scott L. Montgomery wanted the book to be “fun.” I sported my black geek glasses and curled up in a chair at a local coffee shop and attempted to give off the personae that I’m …

biofuels, biomass, book reviews, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Energy, Geothermal, Natural Gas, Nuclear Energy, Oil, Solar, Wind

Coal-to-Liquids Plant Goes Online in China

Joanna Schroeder

A new coal to liquids plant has gone online in China that is expected to produce the equivalent of 80 barrels of oil per day. China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, one of the largest crude oil and petrochemical companies in China and Asia, along with Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Syntroleum Corporation celebrated the grand opening of the Sinopec/Syntroleum Demonstration Facility (SDF) today …

Natural Gas

Alt Fuels & Vehicle Lecture Announced

Joanna Schroeder

The American Lung Association in Minnesota is offering a free lecture on alternative fuels and vehicles that are currently available in Minnesota. The event will be held on Wednesday, July 20th from 6:30-8:00 pm CST, at the American Lung Association in Minnesota’s building located at 490 Concordia Avenue, Saint Paul. The lecture is taking place in the Mississippi room. The …

Biodiesel, biofuels, E85, Education, Natural Gas, Propane