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Alaska Gets First Commercial Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

Alaska is finally producing biodiesel.

This article from Biodiesel Magazine says the Alaska Green Waste Solutions plant (which uses equipment and know-how from its sister company, Pacific Biodiesel Technologies) is the state’s first commercial biodiesel plant and can turn used cooking oil into 1,000 gallons of the green a day:

“This is a great example of the community-based model we believe in,” said Bob King, President of Pacific Biodiesel. “Here we have a city that has very limited options for feedstock because of the harsh growing conditions, yet they can still be producing their own sustainable fuel. Use the resources in your area and it can happen.”

Constructed in Salem, Ore., by Pacific Biodiesel Technologies and JVNW, the plant was disassembled for shipment and reassembled in Anchorage. Built in six shipping containers, the facility includes storage for feedstock, biodiesel and glycerin, utilities and the biodiesel produces system. It can be shipped anywhere, assembled on site and ready for production quickly.

Alaska Waste officials are pretty pleased at the development of the Anchorage plant:

“Today is very exciting for us because this program has been in the development for several years. We were the first refuse company to introduce curbside recycling, the first to offer commercial customers pre-consumer food waste composting and now we are diverting more than 200,000 gallons of used cooking oil from the waste stream and using it to fuel our fleet,” said Jeff Riley, Chief Operating Officer for the company.

Biodiesel

Indy Drivers Discuss Iowa Corn Indy 250

Chuck Zimmerman

Indy Car DriversThis afternoon the IRL and Iowa Speedway held a driver’s press conference. Participating are (l-r) Graham Rahal, Tony Kanaan, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alex Tagliani. The drivers were in a great mood but you could sense how eager they are to get on the track. They’ll be testing tomorrow.

I recorded the press conference and thought I’d share the opening questions and statements from the drivers. They talk about the track (things like bumps) and you’ll hear Ryan say how much he appreciates being able to race for Ethanol again.

After years of covering Indy races I finally had a chance to ride in one of 2-seater cars this afternoon. I actually got strapped in and was ready to go before the rain drops fell and it was canceled. Bummer. Maybe next time.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, IA Corn Indy, Indy Racing

Ethanol Groups Frustrated Over E15 Delay

Cindy Zimmerman

Growth EnergyThe ethanol organization that filed the petition with the EPA to increase the ethanol blend rate to 15 percent has gotten very little information about why a decision is being delayed again.

“We’re trying to find out what additional tests have been added in,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis during a press conference today. “The people who filed the waiver should have been notified that they were adding new tests.”

The Environmental Protection Agency sent out the following short statement regarding the delay to selected reporters late Thursday that still has not been posted on the agency’s website:

DOE (Department of Energy) is on track to complete testing designed to determine the impact of higher ethanol blends on vehicles built after 2007 by the end of September. DOE is also testing some vehicles built before 2007 and is also testing tanks and other fuel handling equipment to see how they might be affected by E15. While results from the tests conducted to-date look good, EPA will not make a final decision until DOE completes its current comprehensive testing of the newer vehicles. EPA is taking steps to ensure the appropriate pieces are in place should the results of the complete set of tests be positive. Based on DOE’s schedule, EPA believes it will be able to make a final determination on whether to approve the use of higher ethanol blends this fall.

Buis believes the Department of Energy is causing the delay, not EPA. “Obviously this administration has been very strong supporters of renewable energy,” said Buis. “I would say this is not political, I would say we’re trapped in some bureaucratic maze here and we want to unravel it.”


Download the Growth Energy press conference or listen here [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/growth-energy/growth-epa-delay.mp3]

Renewable Fuels Association LogoRenewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen expressed frustration over the delay. “We think this is EPA being derelict in its duties,” said Dinneen in an audio statement. “They need to expedite this work and make sure consumers have options.”

Worse than the delay, in Dinneen’s opinion, is the indication that EPA is now talking about possibly approving E15 first in 2007 and newer vehicles, and then 2001 and newer. “Now they’re not talking about bifurcating the market, they’re talking about trifurcating the market!” said Dinneen. “This is just idiocy.”


Download Dinneen’s statement or listen here [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/rfa/rfa-epa-delay.mp3]

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ACE, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Growth Energy, RFA, USDA

High Tech Indy Engines, High Tech Pioneer Corn

Chuck Zimmerman

Iowa Corn Indy 250It’s going to be a happy Father’s Day for Iowa corn growers and Pioneer Hi-Bred when the Iowa Corn Indy 250 gets underway Sunday. The race is being presented by both organizations again this year.

I met Pioneer’s Joe Foresman, Senior Marketing Manager, Biofuels and MarketPoint Resource, during the Kum & Go E-85 pump promotion yesterday. He says the story this race tells for Iowa and for farmers is a very exciting one. It sends a great message to the state and the nation about how we can use the renewable fuel, ethanol. Pioneer has 3,000 employees in Iowa who are very proud of their involvement in the race. I asked him if he liked the analogy between the high tech engines powering the Indy cars and Pioneer’s seed technology. He did.

By the way, if you’re tweeting the race or want to follow the Twitter conversation then please use #indycorn in your tweets. You can use Twitter Search to see who’s tweeting.

You can listen to my interview with Joe below.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Audio, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, IA Corn Indy, Indy Racing

Serving Up E-85 With Iowa Corn Growers

Chuck Zimmerman

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Kum & GoPumping gas into your car that only costs 85 cents/gallon sure seems like a sweet deal and it was for many motorists pulling into an east Des Moines Kum & Go yesterday. The company has been committed to the support of this American grown blend of fuel and showed it in style with a party atmosphere late on a weekday afternoon.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Kum & GoPictured in the middle of the Iowa Corn Growers gas pumpers is Matt Chase, Kum & Go. He works in the gasoline department for the company and E-85 is one of his priorities. He says that they’ve been working with Iowa Corn Growers for about 5 years. The timing of the grand opening for their E-85 pumps at this location was just perfect with the Iowa Corn Indy 250 race this weekend. You can listen to my interview with him below.

I also shot a video clip of Indy Car driver Marco Andretti pulling up in race car driver style to have the Iowa Speedway car filled by fellow driver Ryan Hunter-Reay. More interviews from the pump promotion will be coming your way soon. Today I’m heading out to the track (after a severe storm passes) to check out the activities so I’ll be coming to you next from there.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

Audio, corn, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, IA Corn Indy, Indy Racing, Video

Kum & Go Opens E-85 Pumps With Indy Car Drivers

Chuck Zimmerman

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Kum & GoIt’s time for another Iowa Corn Indy 250 and that means that drivers are in promotion mode. Today Ryan Hunter-Reay (right) and Marco Andretti were on hand for the grand opening of E-85 pumps at a Des Moines Kum & Go where you could buy the fuel for 85 cents/gallon!

Ryan will be driving the Ethanol USA Team Izod Indy Car in the race. He and Marco are both glad to be racing with an American made renewable fuel. They’ve proven the performance capability of ethanol and expressed their appreciation for the support of Iowa corn growers. I’ll be covering the activities of this year’s race weekend once again thanks to the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. I’ve got a photo album started for the weekend which I’ll be adding to periodically: Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album.

You can download my interview with Ryan (mp3) or listen here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/iacorn/ia-corn-indy-2010-ryan.mp3]

You can download my interview with Marco (mp3) or listen here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/iacorn/ia-corn-indy-2010-marco.mp3]

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, IA Corn Indy, Indy Racing, Miscellaneous, Video

Report Says Fuel Cell Vehicles to Get Hot by 2020

John Davis

A new report says that by the year 2020, the fuel cell vehicle market will see growth.

CNET’s Green Tech blog says the Pike Research report, entitled “Fuel Cell Vehicles,” says the green transportation is very close to being a commercial success:

The U.S. is predicted to be the largest fuel cell vehicle (FCV) market with about 134,000 vehicles sold annually, followed by China (about 129,000 FCVs), and Germany (about 127,000 FCVs).

A total of about 670,000 fuel cell light vehicles are predicted to be sold annually around the world by 2020.

Transit buses are expected to lead the market with Pike Research forecasting “sales growing at a compound annual growth rate of 31.7 percent by 2015.”

Pike Research reasons that over the next 10 years the technology surrounding alternative fuel vehicles will become standardized, more hydrogen refueling stations will become available, and fuel cells themselves will become less expensive. This confluence of events which is predicted to happen within the next 10 years, should lead to an increased adoption, according to Pike Research.

The article goes on to say that the noncompetitive nature of fuel cell development and emerging standards for refueling and tank components is helping drive wider adoption of the technology. Department of Energy grants and corporate sponsorship of pilot programs for hydrogen fuel cell transit buses are also propping up fuel cell technology.

Miscellaneous

USDA Promises Canola Biodiesel Won’t Be Left Behind

John Davis

The Ag Department is promising that canola-based biodiesel won’t be left behind as provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill are implemented.

Biofuels Digest says that’s music to the ears of some of the folks from northern states, including Congressman Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota, who personally got the assurance from USDA assurance after the EPA failed to complete an evaluation of canola biodiesel:

This commitment was made during a House Agricultural Committee hearing when Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development stated that canola based biodiesel plants, such as the one in Velva, North Dakota, will be allowed to0 participate in the program while the EPA concludes its evaluation.

Congressman Pomeroy noted ” “Canola is the feedstock of choice for 10 percent of the biodiesel plants in the United States. It makes no sense to penalize them simply because the EPA hasn’t done its job and finished this evaluation yet. I’m pleased that USDA has committed to making sure our canola biodiesel producers will be given a fair shake.”

Biodiesel, USDA

Biodiesel Credit Moving Again, But Too Slow for IRFA

John Davis

The U.S. Senate is moving again on renewing the $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel tax incentive, but the action is too slow for many in the biofuels business.

Biodiesel Magazine reports the Senate today invoked cloture on the larger bill that contains the credit, ending debate and setting up a final vote:

Sources say there is still some debate regarding Medicare payments and negotiating “price-downs” and “pay-fors,” but they say $20 billion has already been negotiated out of the massive piece of legislation, in which the biodiesel tax credit is tied up, to reduce the overall cost of the $145 billion package.

And even it passes the Senate, the measure has been amended since it’s time in the House, meaning this changed version will have to pass that chamber as well. All these machinations are getting to be too much for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), who also called on President Obama, after last night’s address on the Gulf oil spill, to come up with a little less talk and a lot more action:

“Instead of kicking tar balls on beaches, President Obama ought to be kicking the backside of Congress to reinstate the biodiesel tax incentive,” stated IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Biodiesel is one of the country’s cleanest energy opportunities; yet U.S. biodiesel production remains crippled by 165 days of Congressional inaction. While the focus must be on confronting the massive plume of crude oil enveloping the Gulf region, our leaders certainly have the multitasking capability to enact legislation that moves us away from our dangerous addiction to that crude oil at the same time.”

“We watch in dismay as oil threatens the jobs and very way of life in the Gulf region. Yet thousands of jobs have also been lost with the expiration of the biodiesel tax incentive. With Presidential leadership, quick Congressional action can restart the biodiesel industry, thereby restoring those jobs and jumpstarting the country’s march toward a clean energy future,” added Shaw.

The IRFA says reinstating the biodiesel tax incentive would be a real move toward spurring domestic, clean energy production and restoring green collar jobs, as Obama says he wants to do.

Biodiesel, Legislation

Ethanol Industry Responds to EPA Delay Reports

Cindy Zimmerman

Reports late Thursday indicated that a decision on increasing the ethanol blend rate in gasoline could be delayed into the fall.

Reuters is reporting that Environmental Protection Agency says the Department of Energy (DOE) has to complete more testing before they can rule on increasing the amount of ethanol allowed in regular gasoline above the current 10%, and that it will be September or later before DOE completes testing on vehicles 2007 model year or newer. “While results from the tests conducted to-date look good, EPA will not make a final decision until DOE completes its current comprehensive testing of the newer vehicles,” Reuters quotes EPA as saying.

Renewable Fuels Association LogoThe report brought a swift reaction from the ethanol industry. “EPA is dropping the ball, and for no scientifically justified reason,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “President Obama this week rallied the nation to an Apollo-like program to end our dependence on oil. By pursuing this path, EPA is failing to answer the President’s charge.”

Growth Energy, which filed the Green Jobs Waiver to increase the ethanol blend rate to 15 percent in March of 2009, responded with a direct letter to President Obama pointing out that a decision on the waiver had already been delayed by EPA well past the 270 days required under law.

Growth Energy“As you would expect, we find this further delay unacceptable,” writes Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “We urge you to direct the federal agencies involved in this waiver to expedite the testing process, add extra staff, additional shifts, or whatever other steps necessary to accelerate the completion of the testing. Again, the waiver decision should have been made in December 2009; when that deadline was not met, we were promised a decision in mid June of this year. Now we are again being told to wait for testing that we believe was unnecessary in the first place to make a decision.”

Meanwhile, Dow Jones reports that Archer Daniels Midland has reportedly received an answer from EPA on a request made last week seeking approval of ethanol-gasoline blends containing up to E12 for all cars. EPA assistant administrator Gina McCarthy wrote that they will give “careful attention” to ADM’s request, but that test data would be needed for such approval and they are “not aware of any test data using 12% ethanol blends.”

According to RFA, existing oxygenate stacking rules already allow for the addition of up to 2 percent MTBE on top of currently allowed 10 percent ethanol blends and since ethanol and MTBE are both oxygenates, that additional 2 percent volume could be ethanol since a vehicle engine would not recognize if the oxygen content was from one fuel or two.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, RFA