ACE Conference 2026

Wal-Mart Using Biodiesel, Alternatives to Make More Sustainable Fleet

John Davis

walmart-logoThe world’s largest retailer has increased the efficiency in its private fleet by 25 percent over the last three years, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and fuel use… and it wants to get even greener in the years to come.

This story from ArkansasBusiness.com says Wal-Mart will test trucks that have diesel-electric hybrid motors and recycle grease from its stores to make biodiesel to run in conventional diesel engines:

“In order to meet our goal of doubling our fleet efficiency, we are taking an active role in the development of these technologies,” Chris Sultemeier, senior vice president of transportation for Wal-Mart Stores, said in a news release. “We look forward to determining if these technologies will help reduce our environmental footprint, are viable for our business and provide a return on investment.”

Among the new technologies it is testing is a full-propulsion Arvin Meritor hybrid that will initially operate in the Detroit area. It is a dual-mode diesel-electric hybrid.

Meanwhile, 15 trucks at its Buckeye, Ariz., distribution center will be converted to run on reclaimed grease fuel made with the waste brown cooking grease from Wal-Mart stores. Other trucks here will operate on an 80/20 blend of biodiesel.

The story goes on to say that Wal-Mart will be using other diesel-electric hybrids and running liquid natural gas in trucks in Dallas; Houston,; Apple Valley, Calif.; Atlanta; Washington D.C.; Baltimore; and in southern California

Biodiesel

Propane Fueling Popular F-150s

John Davis

roushf150A Northern New York State auto dealer has become the exclusive installation center of ROUSH Liquid Propane Injection systems in Ford trucks and vans in the Northeastern United States.

This press release from Ferrario Ford in Elmira, NY says it expects to convert thousands of Ford vehicles, especially the very popular F-150 and F-250 models of trucks:

With the introduction of the ROUSH Liquid Propane Injection system for the Ford F-150, ROUSH Performance has instantly become the leading supplier of Alternative Fuel Vehicles of this type. Ferrario Ford is performing F-150 upgrades now, and will begin production of the F-250 and Econoline models later in 2009.

“Every ROUSH Propane Vehicle is one less burning imported gasoline or diesel,” said Don Ferrario. “Although derived from petroleum, over 90% of propane is sourced in the U.S., with an additional 7% from Canada. Individuals, businesses, and municipalities can now purchase a no-compromise vehicle that burns virtually no imported oil.”

Selection as the Northeast U.S. installation center will be a great economic boost for Elmira, NY. Over the next few years, Ferrario anticipates upfitting several thousand Ford trucks. Customers may purchase a completed unit from Ferrario, or work with their local Ford Dealer to send a vehicle to Ferrario for upfit. Ferrario Ford is the ROUSH Propane installation center for customers in CT, D.C., MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, PA, VT, and WV.

Those who convert their F-150 to propane get a federal tax credit of $2,500 and $5,000 for F-250 and Econoline models. In addition, vehicles that burn propane get a 50-cents-a-gallon tax credit. Ferrario says drivers could see up to $2,000 a year in fuel cost savings.

Propane

Beer to Ethanol Fuel

efuelAccording to Green Tech, the inventor of the EFuel100 MicroFueler home ethanol maker has signed on Sierra Nevada Brewing to make ethanol from beer dregs. E-Fuel said that the beer company will start testing EFuel’s refrigerator-sized portable ethanol refineries in the second quarter of this year using discarded beer yeast as a feedstock for ethanol.

E-Fuel last year unveiled its $9,995 home ethanol machine which ferments a mix of water and sugar into ethanol. Sierra Nevada every year generates 1.6 million gallons of “bottom of the barrel” beer yeast waste, which it now sells to farmers as feed. The MicroFueler will be able to raise the alcohol content in that mix to 15 percent and remove water.

Initially, Sierra Nevada plans to use the ethanol in its own vehicles. Once it has excess fuel, it will look to supply employees and distribute through E-Fuel’s distribution network, a company representative said.

In a statement, Sierra Nevada Brewing president and founder Ken Grossman said the MicroFueler has the potential to improve the environment by reducing waste and to make fuel domestically.

Ethanol, News

Ethanol Group to Name Co-Chairman

Cindy Zimmerman

Growth EnergyGrowth Energy has announced that it will name “a major national figure” this week as co-chairman of the recently formed ethanol advocacy group.

According to a Growth Energy announcement, “This individual will bring foreign policy experience, environmental leadership, and political expertise to the organization and will be a strong advocate for policies that will help promote renewable energy and create green-collar jobs.”

The announcement of the co-chairman will be made on Thursday. Growth Energy was formed late last year by POET CEO Jeff Broin and other ethanol industry leaders.

Ethanol, Growth Energy, News, POET

Scientists Declare Biodiesel Support

Cindy Zimmerman

NBB 09 Rob MyersA new initiative was announced at the opening general session of the National Biodiesel Conference Monday – Scientists for Biodiesel.

Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute founder Dr. Rob Myers made the announcement as co-chair of the campaign with Donald Danforth Plant Science Center President Roger Beachy. “Scientists sometimes have differences of opinion, but this declaration is intended to show the broad consensus among scientists about the benefits of biodiesel,” Myers said. “Our goal is to increase awareness and information sharing about the depth and breadth of the scientific research behind biodiesel that contributes to its sustainability.” The declaration also calls for more investment into the scientific needs associated with this vital bioenergy source.

By visiting www.biodieselsustainability.com, scientists can share information about their work and sign the declaration which says in part, “Biodiesel from a variety of feedstocks can meet contemporary needs for environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and quality of life without compromising the ability of future generations to meet these needs for themselves.”

Listen to Myers read the declaration here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nbb/nbb-09-myers.mp3]

2009 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB

Biodiesel Awards Presented

Cindy Zimmerman

NBB 09 RandallAwards were presented at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Francisco Monday to people who have helped the industry grow.

The winner of this year’s Impact Award from the National Biodiesel Board is Dr. Randall von Wedel of CytoCulture International, who has helped San Francisco become a leader in municipal use of biodiesel. NBB CEO Joe Jobe says Dr. von Wedel was being recognized for his “energy, enthusiasm and development work” on behalf of biodiesel.

NBB 09 RandallNational Biodiesel Board Vice Chairman Gary Haer (right) with Renewable Energy Group (REG) had the pleasure of presenting this year’s Industry Partnership Awards to fuel quality program managers in two states – Ronald Hayes (left) of Missouri and Randy Jennings (center) from Tennessee.

“The award is going to two people who have really made a difference in our quality efforts,” said Haer. “These two gentlemen have led their states in ‘best in class’ quality enforcement programs that serve as a model for other states to adopt.”

In addition, Hayes and Jennings have been working with the National Conference on Weights and Measures and ASTM International to develop and enforce standards for biodiesel.

Read more about the activities at the conference on the Biodiesel Conference Blog.

2009 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB

REG Expanding Biodiesel in the West

John Davis

regbiodieselIowa-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) is making more inroads in the Western United States as it has opened a new biodiesel terminal in Southern Colorado.

This company press release says the opening of REG’s 20,000 gallon tank in Alamosa, Colorado comes on the heels of another terminal in Ogden, Utah and will make available the company’s REG-9000TM brand biodiesel in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico:

REG-9000TM brand biodiesel from Renewable Energy Group® (REG®) is available at the location as part of the company’s national infrastructure plan. REG has a strategic agreement with Alta Fuels., a petroleum company and experience biodiesel marketers, to offer blending of petroleum diesel with REG-9000 biodiesel at the site.

Company officials cite the upcoming Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) as one driver of biodiesel demand. “The RFS calls for 500 million gallons of biodiesel to be used in the U.S. in 2009. This biodiesel blending facility allows petroleum distributors in Colorado, New Mexico and throughout the Southeast to make biodiesel blends available now in preparation for implementation of the RFS later this year,” explained Renewable Energy Group’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Gary Haer.

Haer noted the Colorado terminal is just one piece of Renewable Energy Group’s strategic plan to increase biodiesel availability. “We are committed to meeting U.S. demand for biodiesel through infrastructure creation,” explained Haer. “REG currently markets biodiesel to all 48 continental states, and with this and other strategic terminal locations, REG is able to extend our biodiesel product offering. We aim to help our petroleum distribution customers more quickly access high quality biodiesel to meet their customers’ demands.”

There are more than 20 Renewable Energy Group biodiesel locations nationwide.

Biodiesel

New Holland Supports Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Biodiesel Conference is underway this week in San Francisco with the theme of “Leading Change Now.”

NBB 09 Jobe and HemphillOne of the first companies to realize biodiesel’s potential for both farmers and farm machinery was New Holland, thanks to the influence of Gene Hemphill, manager of North American Industry Affairs for the company, pictured here (right) with National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe.

Two years ago, Hemphill received the Biodiesel Innovation Award at this conference for his foresight and support of the industry, which he says goes back over 20 years. “We became involved with it when they were actually calling it soy diesel,” Gene says. “We were the first company to offer a warranty on all of our engines for 20 percent biodiesel and about a year and a half later to offer a warranty for 100 percent biodiesel in all of our engines.”

New Holland’s support for the National Biodiesel Conference includes annual sponsorship of the media room, in addition to other special treats such as the display of Jay Leno’s Eco-Jet concept car and the appearance of Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who will speak about his support of renewable fuels and entertain at the Tuesday evening reception.

Listen to an interview with Gene Hemphill here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nbb/nbb-09-gene.mp3]

Follow all the activities at the National Biodiesel Conference this week on the conference blog.

2009 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB, New Holland

Ethanol Leaves Rahal-Letterman in Limbo

Cindy Zimmerman

The loss of ethanol as a sponsor has left Rahal-Letterman Racing (RLR) without a car or a driver for the upcoming IndyCar Series season, but co-owner Bobby Rahal is still looking.

bobby rahalIn a statement responding to media reports this week, Rahal said, “As of this time we do not have any sponsorship that will allow us to compete in the IRL in 2009, but by no means does that mean that we are giving up. We are continuing to search for sponsorship to run the 2009 season and to run in the Indianapolis 500 and we feel that there is still time for us to put something together that will allow that to happen.”

Rahal is still hoping the team, which does have some secondary sponsors, will at least be able to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in May if a major sponsor steps forward. But the tough economy is making it difficult to find a replacement for what amounts to a $6 million commitment.

Team EthanolRahal Letterman’s number 17 Team Ethanol car driven by Ryan Hunter-Reay won its first race last year at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Hunter-Reay was also named Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, but at this point he has no ride for the 2009 season.

RLR is co-owned by television talk show host David Letterman. The team won the 2004 Indianapolis 500 with driver Buddy Rice and brought Danica Patrick to the IRL in 2005 when she was named Rookie of the Year. Rahal himself won the Indy 500 in 1986. Rahal Letterman Racing remains committed to its programs in the Firestone Indy Lights Series as a partner with Andersen Racing, its American Le Mans Series program with BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team as well as its new partnership with Formula BMW Americas.

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Ethanol 2009 Emerging Issues Forum

Cindy Zimmerman

An impressive line-up of national leaders in ethanol production, marketing, co-products, transportation, engineering, financing and environmental issues have been announced for the Ethanol 2009 Emerging Issues Forum, April 2-3 in Omaha.

NE EthanolOrganized by the Nebraska Ethanol Board, the Emerging Issues Forum is an annual regional conference for ethanol producers, marketers and related industries. Special topics this year will include ethanol policy under the new administration, innovations in corn fractionation, financial and legal issues, the blend wall, and the dynamics of RINs.

The event will be held at the Magnolia Hotel in Omaha and the deadline for room reservations in March 3.

conferences, Ethanol, News