DHL Express Integrates Propane Into Fleet

Joanna Schroeder

DHL Express is adding 100 propane autogas vans into its fleet. The Ford E-250 cargo vans will be on the road by the end of August 2012 and were outfitted with ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane autogas fuel systems. The vans will be operating in California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Texas.

“Customers in the U.S. and worldwide are increasingly demanding greener logistics and sustainable business procedures,” said Ian Clough, CEO of DHL Express U.S. “Initiatives like our all ‘green’ fleet in Manhattan and this propane autogas fleet not only lower our DHL carbon footprint, but are a smart, clean and cost-effective choice for our business.”

“Greener” vehicles are not new to DHL Express. As part of its GOREEN program, they are currently operating propane vehicles in Ohio, Tennessee and Louisiana. The goal of the program is to improve the company’s worldwide carbon efficiency 30 percent by 2020 using 2007 emissions as its baseline. According to ROUSH, the use of propane autogas in each van saves nearly 22,587 pounds of CO2 emission each year.

DHL Express will both use current propane infrastructure as well as add additional infrastructure to meet its needs. ROUSH says that the infrastructure for propane autogas is less expensive than any other alternative fuel, and propane autogas has the largest alternative public refueling infrastructure.

Propane

Biodiesel Gains New ASTM Standard

John Davis

In a bid to better meet the needs of customers, the biodiesel industry sought out and gained approval of a new voluntary No. 1-B grade for B100 from the ASTM D2 Committee on Petroleum Products and Lubricants. This news release from the National Biodiesel Board says the new standard will help make the green fuel better for customers with Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) and new diesel engine and after-treatment technology:

“The biodiesel industry took a proactive stance to improve the standards governing America’s Advanced Biofuel,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. “For the large majority of biodiesel users, the current standard along with conventional industry management practices allow for biodiesel blend use year-round, even in extreme climates.” ASTM D6751, the ASTM standard for pure biodiesel (B100) prior to blending, was modified to create a new voluntary No. 1-B grade. The new grade provides more stringent controls for minor components in raw materials used to make biodiesel, such as vegetable oils and animal fats. The specification values of the current standard will become the No. 2-B grade in D6751 without change. Producers or blenders can continue to utilize the current specification under the No. 2-B grade at any time of the year exactly as done today, or they may opt to use the more stringent No 1-B grade. The finished blended fuel standards—D975 for on/off road diesel up to 5% biodiesel (B5), D7467 for B6-B20 on/off road applications, and D396 for heating oil up to 5% biodiesel—do not change. B100 used for D975, D7467, and D396 must continue to meet D6751 (either the No. 1-B or the No. 2-B grade) prior to blending.

The No. 1-B and No. 2-B designations are in line with the current No. 1 and No. 2 diesel fuel categories. This new designation stems from a handful of cases with the new Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel experiencing un-expected filter clogging above the cloud point of the finished blend.

Biodiesel, NBB

iDiverse’s New Yeast Gene Boosts Ethanol Production

John Davis

Officials with biotech company iDiverse say they have discovered a yeast gene that can increase ethanol production yield by up to 34 percent:

“The gene functions by protecting the yeast against some of the lethal stresses encountered in the bioproduction process,” said John Serbin, Chief Business Officer at iDiverse. “In its current embodiment, it allows yeast to produce significantly more ethanol under the severe conditions of high concentrations of acetic acid and low pH. These critical conditions occur when fuel ethanol is produced from corn or sugarcane and are yet more severe in the newest generation of fermentation processes using lignocellulosic biomass as feedstock. Our constructs have been tested in several commercial yeasts. We believe that they can improve the performance of any yeast facing lethal bioproduction environments.”

Officials say the economic impact of this new gene could be huge, especially for the cellulosic ethanol industry, as well as other applications, such as the bioproduction of industrial enzymes, research reagents, and pharmaceuticals.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ag Chief: Biodiesel Driving, Revitalizing Rural Economy

John Davis

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack traveled back to Iowa today, praising biodiesel in his home state for driving and revitalizing rural America’s economy. In remarks during a meeting with Iowa biodiesel and farm industry representatives at the Soy Energy biodiesel production facility in Mason City, the USDA chief pointed to the green fuel as a demonstration of farmers bouncing back, according to this Iowa Biodiesel Board news release.

“This is the resilient face of agriculture we see here today,” Vilsack said, flanked by Soy Energy plant workers. “Biodiesel plants like this one are getting America back in the business of manufacturing. They are creating jobs and revitalizing the rural economy.”

The Iowa Biodiesel Board thanked the Secretary for his remarks and for his steadfast support of biodiesel.

“Iowa’s leadership in renewable energy production shows what we as a nation are capable of in building energy security and green jobs, and we’re equipped to do even more,” said Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board.

Those meeting with Vilsack pressed for more gallons of biodiesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard-2 (RFS-2). The EPA wants to go from 1 billion gallons this year to 1.28 billion gallons in 2013, what the Iowa biodiesel industry sees as a modest increase from last year’s record nearly 1.1 billion gallons of production.

The Iowa Biodiesel Board points out that Soy Energy, LLC is a “multi-feedstock” plant, capable of producing biodiesel from many different fats and vegetable oils, including corn oil left over from ethanol production.

Biodiesel, Soybeans, USDA

Vilsack to Keynote American Coalition for Ethanol Conference

John Davis

News just in to Domestic Fuel this morning: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be the keynote speaker for the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference, August 8-10, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska.

“The Secretary has been the most effective spokesperson for ethanol in the administration,” Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President for ACE, told me in an interview, previewing the 25th anniversary of ACE’s conference. The theme this year is “Proud History, Bright Future.” He said they will be talking about some of the timely topics affecting ethanol producers, especially the issue surrounding E15 this summer. There will be at least two sessions dedicated to E15 on Thursday, August 9th. “We’ve got one of the best experts in the country right in our office to do that, [Senior Vice President] Ron Lamberty, who owns two gas stations himself.”

You can also register on location the days of the conference, but there is a discount for registering early. He adds that while so much is done online these days, this conference is a good opportunity to get some face-to-face time with an informal agenda and feel to the conference.

Cindy will be providing coverage from the conference. See you in Omaha!

Listen to my interview with Brian here: Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President, ACE

ACE, conferences, Ethanol, Ethanol News

EM Biofuels Rolls Out RINPlus

Joanna Schroeder

EM Biofuels LLC is rolling out RINPlus, a web-based platform that tracks the origin of Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN). The company says the platform will enable obligated parties to verify the genealogy of all RINs from feedstock to RIN generation and separation. RINPlus will document many areas including:

  • Facility’s engineering review
  • Corporate formation documents and operating permits
  • Validity checks including co-product monitoring, site audits and spot product testing

The system, according to EM Biofuels, will give obligated parties the due diligence and supporting documentation needed to ensure RINS are valid and meet RFS2 requirements.

“We began working with both producers and obligated parties in 2011, listening to their concerns and incorporating their ideas regarding the specific aspects a RIN assurance platform needed to address. The end result is a platform that has the capacity to become a secure and efficient marketplace for RINs,” said Ken Nelson, Senior Vice President of EM Biofuels.

The tool integrates real-time with a fuel producers’ facility operations. In addition, it allows the user to create reports summarizing their RIN portfolio and includes supporting documentation. EM Biofuels plans to launch additional functionality to the RINPlus platform in early 2013.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol

Elliott Sadler Wins STP 300

Chuck Zimmerman

Ethanol had another victory on the NASCAR track today when Elliott Sadler won the Nationwide Series STP 300. The race came out of caution with two laps to go so it made for an exciting finish. Placing 4th today was master agvocate Kenny Wallace, spokesperson for the Illinois Corn Growers Family Farmers.

After the race I asked Elliott what he thinks about racing on a fuel that’s made in part by Illinois corn
growers. He says the initiative that NASCAR has taken to go green in the last couple years is a great one. Since the track is surrounded by corn and soybeans he says, “It’s neat to see something in the field growing. I’m a farmer at home too.”

Then Richard Childress, RCR Racing, chimed in. “In NASCAR we’ve put in almost 4 million miles or maybe a little over by now on E15, American Ethanol blend of fuel. That says a lot for what E15 can do for your car.”

Listen to Elliott and Richard’s remarks here: Elliott Sadler & Richard Childress on Ethanol

Illinois Corn Growers NASCAR Weekend Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, NASCAR

Green Flag for STP 300

Chuck Zimmerman

E15 is on display again today at the NASCAR Nationwide STP 300 race in Joliet, IL. We had a few raindrops just before the green flag but it dissipated and the race is on.

Prior to the race I spent time with the Illinois Corn Growers Family Farmers High Performance Team. Spokesperson, Kenny Wallace, driver of the 09 car today was on hand. I recorded a conversation he had with Glenn Fritz that I thought you might enjoy. Kenny calls Glenn Fritz “the ultimate farmer.” We were located at Greenfields Campground owned by Glenn.

Glenn has a grandson on the farm that is now the 5th generation of the family on the land. He’s got an interesting story to tell and I hope you’ll enjoy listening to it.

Listen to Kenny and Glenn here: Kenny Wallace and Glenn Fritz

Illinois Corn Growers NASCAR Weekend Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, NASCAR

Winner of American Ethanol 225

Chuck Zimmerman

The winner of the American Ethanol 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is James Buescher. He’s pictured here in Victory Lane at Chicagoland Speedway. Presenting the trophy is Chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board Bill Christ and Tricia Braid, Communications Director.

During the post race press conference I asked James what he thought of racing on a blend of home grown fuel made by corn farmers. He says “It’s really cool to be able to be part of NASCAR going green. It’s only positive. We’re helping the environment.” By the way, he had to have his carburetor replaced during the race!

Listen to James comment on ethanol here: James Buescher Remarks

Illinois Corn Growers NASCAR Weekend Photo Album

American Ethanol, Audio, Ethanol, NASCAR

Farmer Waves Green Flag For American Ethanol 225

Chuck Zimmerman

Illinois corn farmer Donna Jeschke got to wave the green flag for the American Ethanol 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race tonight. Donna is ending her term on the board of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.

She found the experience to be exciting and just a little scary. She says this type of promotion puts what she does as a farmer out in front of the public to help them better understand where their food comes from.

This is just the first race of an ethanol sponsored weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. You’ll be able to find more interviews over the next few days on the Illinois Corn Growers Corn Corps Blog.

Listen to my interview with Donna here: Interview with Donna Jeschke

Listen to the race invocation and national anthem here: Invocation/National Anthem

Listen to Mark Marquis, Marquis Energy, make the “Drivers, start your engines” call here: Start Your Engines

Illinois Corn Growers NASCAR Weekend Photo Album

American Ethanol, Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, NASCAR