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It was the scene of the “day that would live in infamy.” Now, visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii will be able to pay homage to the more than 1,000 heroes honored with a renewable energy source: biodiesel.

Biodiesel Magazine reports that the shuttle boats running on 20 percent biodiesel from locally owned Pacific Biodiesel, which makes the green fuel from recycled cooking oil, will take passengers to that historic ship:

“Our process accomplishes two important tasks of dire importance, especially for an island community,” explained Pacific Biodiesel President Bob King. “We are recycling waste at a tremendous rate and we are creating a clean renewable fuel.”

Aloha Petroleum currently delivers the biodiesel blend to the Navy’s new clean diesel shuttle fleet. An activation ceremony featuring Hawai’i senior senator Daniel Inouye was held for the first vessel of this new fleet, which arrived in March and is named the John W. Finn in honor of the Medal of Honor recipient and Pearl Harbor attack survivor. The ceremony took place on April 7, 2009 at the Arizona Memorial Visitors Center.

Biodiesel’s ability to biodegrade in water, along with its clean-burning nature, make the fuel perfect for the pristine environment of the blue waters of Pearl Harbor. Maybe one day the only oil around the storied ship will be the drops that still weep from the Arizona in honor of the 1,177 brave Americans who perished on that fateful day.

Biodiesel producers are looking for a market for a big by-product of the green fuel they make… livestock producers need a high-quality feed. Seems like they need to find a way to get together. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are finding a new use for the glycerin produced during biodiesel refining.

This article from the April issue of USDA’s Agricultural Research Magazine says animal nutritionist Brian Kerr, who works at the ARS Swine Odor and Manure Management Research Unit at Ames, Iowa, William Dozier, formerly in the ARS Poultry Research Unit at Mississippi State and now with Auburn University, and Iowa State University colleague Kristjan Bregendahl are looking into how to use crude glycerin as a livestock feed supplement:

Kerr led studies that examined how crude glycerin feed supplements affected swine energy use. In five different experiments, he supplemented the diets of starter pigs and finisher pigs with different levels of crude glycerin…

After feeding four levels of crude glycerin to laying hens, Bregendahl determined the AME in the crude glycerin to be 3,805 kcal/kg. He also compared feed consumption, egg production, egg weight, and egg mass (calculated by multiplying egg production and egg weight) and found no significant differences among the four groups.

The scientists say the research has been successful, as the data shows that crude glycerin is an excellent source of energy for pigs and chickens and doesn’t harm animal performance, carcass composition, or meat quality. They do caution that while the glycerin is a great feed supplement, there are some issues that could limit its use, such as small methanol and salt levels.

But overall, this could be a real win-win situation with livestock producers finding a way to cut feed costs and biodiesel producers finding a way to add value to their products.

The nation’s leader in biodiesel making and making biodiesel plants has a new leader of its own.

Biodiesel Magazine reports that Renewable Energy Group’s Daniel J. Oh, Chief Operating Officer, is taking over as President of the Iowa-based company:

Mr. Oh takes the reins from Nile Ramsbottom, who has served as Renewable Energy Group’s president since the company’s incorporation in 2006. Mr. Ramsbottom’s leadership helped launch REG as a premier producer and marketer of high quality biodiesel. In the nine years Mr. Ramsbottom has served at REG and its predecessor West Central Cooperative, the company’s biodiesel business has grown from a 1 million gallon-per-year batch plant to a network with the more than 300 million gallons of annual production capacity. Mr. Ramsbottom has agreed to forgo full retirement to help strengthen REG’s global presence. The new global sales position will be based in St. Louis.

Of the transition Renewable Energy Group Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Stroburg said: “Our board of directors appreciates Mr. Ramsbottom’s willingness to continue in this new and critical role as he shifts from his position as REG’s president and prepares for a personal and professional transition after his 65th birthday in May. In this new position, Mr. Ramsbottom will continue pursuing relationships and business with national and international biodiesel customers and large feedstock producers.”

Jeffrey Stroburg stays on as REG’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, with Jeff Pattison remaining as Chief Financial Officer.