Biodiesel Board Gets New Spokesperson

John Davis

nbb-logoThe National Biodiesel Board is welcoming a new face to its great communications team.

This NBB press release announces the addition of Jessica Robinson, a veteran communicator, as the group’s Senior Communications Specialist:

robinsonRobinson has been involved in the communications industry for more than a decade, most recently serving as Press Secretary for Missouri Governor Matt Blunt when the state adopted a ten percent ethanol standard, and for the first time began fully funding biodiesel incentives. Robinson has worked in radio and television news stations in New Mexico, Missouri and Florida. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism.

“Jessica’s experience as a communications professional and spokesperson will help build on NBB’s progress combating many of the industry inaccuracies that arose in the past year,” said Jenna Higgins Rose, NBB Director of Communications. “I’m confident that Jessica will be an outstanding addition to our communications team as the biodiesel industry continues to grow.”

Personally, I’ve known Jessica for many years… from my earliest days of when I first moved to Missouri nine years ago… just about as long as I’ve known Chuck and Cindy Zimmerman. She’s a straight shooter who’s not afraid to be a strong advocate for the cause she’s behind. Trust me folks, she’s a BIG catch for an organization that’s on the rise.

Good luck and welcome aboard, Jessica!

Biodiesel

Incentive Now Available in MI for E85 and Biodiesel Infrastructure

michigan-policy-networkIn addition to Federal tax credits, Michigan fueling station owners can now receive 30 percent up to $20,000 to install E85 or biodiesel. Rep. Joel Sheltrown introduced House bill 5878’08 in March 2008, and it was signed into law on December 30 of last year.

This tax credit will be available from January 1, 2009 until December 31, 2012. A certificate of approval from the Energy Office of Michigan must first be obtained prior to taking the credit. One million dollars can be distributed each year through this credit. A station must sell the alternative fuel product for at least three years or the entire credit must be repaid.

Josh Clayton, owner of H & H Mobil in East Lansing, Michigan installed E85 in 2007. He admits that he and other station owners across the state have been underwhelmed by the profits being brought in by E85 and biodiesel fuel pumps, but he still counts himself as a “huge advocate of ethanol” and thinks its development is positive for Michigan.

There are currently 92 E85 stations throughout the state of Michigan.

Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol, Facilities, News

Cellulosic Ethanol Company Raises Capital

Cindy Zimmerman

A company claiming to have the capability to produce “third generation” ethanol has raised $34 million to prove it.

ZeachemColorado-based ZeaChem is developing a cellulose-based green fuels and chemicals biorefinery platform that converts renewable non-food biomass into market-competitive products such as ethanol. The new funds will be used to build ZeaChem’s first cellulosic biorefinery set to begin construction this year.

ZeaChem president and CEO James Imbler says the initial funding will allow them “to produce the highest yield, lowest capital cost, lowest carbon footprint bio-based fuels and chemicals benefiting our investors, strategic partners, and our future customers.” Among the investors in ZeaChem is Valero Energy Corporation, the largest petroleum refiner in the United States.

The company technology uses micro-organisms from the digestive tracts of termites as part of the conversion process for making ethanol from wood and other biomass sources.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Study on Biodiesel Antioxidant Treatment Completed

John Davis

regkeminAmes, Iowa-based biodiesel maker Renewable Energy Group Inc. and nutritional ingredient manufacturer Kemin Industries Inc. have finished a study and released the esults of a multi-feedstock biodiesel oxidation.

Biodiesel Magazine reports that for 10 weeks, the companies performed a detailed analyses of oxidative stability characteristics in pure biodiesel (both B100) made from soybeans and a combination of vegetable oil and animal fats:

The research, which was conducted to gain a better understanding of oxidative stability and degradation of multi-feedstock biodiesel in long-term storage, found that in tests simulating extreme storage conditions, oxidative stability decreased rapidly in untreated B100 as measured by oil stability index induction time, Peroxide Value (PV), 1,4-decadienal and Hexanal content.

“Antioxidant treatment delayed these changes,” said Glen Meier, REG manager of research and development, said antioxidant treatment delayed the changes. “Results show that dosage rates will depend on the specific biodiesel product and its feedstock composition, as well as the storage and handling protocols in place.”

In addition, the group determined that late “rescue” treatments did not eliminate secondary oxidation products, even when oil stability index (OSI) induction time could be increased. As well, it was found that oxidation in products measured indicated changes to B100 that may foster polymer and sediment formation in blends and support earlier use of antioxidants to preserve quality.

The research is expected to help petroleum and biodiesel storers prevent oxidative stability problems in less-than-ideal storage conditions.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel, Ethanol Part of Northeast Low Carbon Fuel Standard

John Davis

northeast-region-mapEleven states in the Northeastern United States have agreed to a Low Carbon Fuel Standard, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and other energy uses. Biofuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol, are part of that plan.

This press release from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection says the key is all the states working together:

In June, Governor Deval Patrick sent a letter to the governors of all 10 RGGI states inviting them to work with Massachusetts on developing a Low Carbon Fuel Standard that would apply to the entire region, creating a larger market for cleaner fuels, reducing emissions associated with global climate change, and supporting the development of clean energy technologies. Last week, the heads of environmental protection agencies and, in some cases, energy agencies in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont signed a Letter of Intent to tackle the challenge of reducing greenhouse gases from fuels in a joint effort…

[A] Low Carbon Fuel Standard is a market-based, technologically neutral policy to address the carbon content of fuels by requiring reductions in the average lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions per unit of useful energy. Such a standard is potentially applicable not only in transportation, but also for fuel used for heating buildings, for industrial processes, and for electricity generation. The state of California was the first to commit to a LCFS for motor vehicles, which it is now in the process of developing. Fuels that may have potential to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation include electricity and advanced biofuels that have lower lifecycle carbon emissions and are less likely to cause indirect effects from crop diversion and land use changes than those on the market today.

The pact is a product of Massachusetts adopting its own Clean Energy Biofuels Act, which required the state to seek out this regional agreement.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Virginia E85 Station Pushes National Locations Over 1,900

lt_govbill_bollingThe Stop In Food Store #67 at 1220 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville, Virginia is the 1,900th E85 station in the U.S.! The facility held its ribbon cutting ceremony just this week where Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (shown left) pumped the first tank of E85.

“We are pleased to own the first public E85 retail location in Virginia and proud to offer a clean alternative transportation fuel,” noted Tom Turner of Stop In Food Stores. The facility was assisted with funds granted through the Virginia Clean Cities Coalition.

The location has twelve gasoline, two E85 and two biodiesel fueling nozzles. A 10,000 gallon compartment tank is used and holds 4,000 gallons of biodiesel and 6,000 gallons of E85. The station is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offers a 2,400 square foot convenience store which includes a Subway restaurant.

“It’s encouraging to see the number of E85 stations continue to grow even as we deal with issues relating to testing lab certifications and low price of gasoline,” noted National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) Executive Director, Phil Lampert. “We are excited to be able to achieve this significant milestone of 1,900 E85 fueling facilities! The NEVC and all our national partners look forward to working with the Obama Administration and Congress to continue advance the role of ethanol in reducing our nation’s dependence on imported petroleum.”

At this time last year, there were a total of 1,430 E85 stations across the U.S. For a complete listing of E85 fueling locations, visit www.E85Refueling.com.

Biodiesel, E85, Facilities, National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, News

Solar Leads Record Year of Green Investment

John Davis

cleantechWhile it might have been a tough year for most investments on Wall Street, venture capital funding into alternative energies really took off in 2008, setting records.

This story posted on CNET News quotes a Cleantech Group report that says those investments jumped to $8.4 billion, a 38 percent increase from the previous year:

Solar investments helped drive the growth, capturing 40 percent of green-tech investments. Thin-film solar deals did particularly well, capturing the three largest investments in green technology last year.

NanoSolar raised $300 million last year, followed by Solyndra with venture investments of $219 million and SoloPower with $200 million.

Cleantech Group’s senior research director, Brian Fan, said in a statement:

2008 saw solar take a 40 percent share of clean-technology venture investment dollars, led by mega investment rounds in thin-film solar, concentrated solar thermal, and solar-service provider companies.

Investors also continued to migrate from first-generation ethanol and biodiesel technologies to next-generation biofuels technologies, led by algae and synthetic biology companies. Other sectors with healthy investor interest included smart-grid companies, small-scale wind turbines, plastics recycling, green buildings, and agriculture technologies.

Biofuels… ethanol, biodiesel, synthetic biology, and algae… are the next biggest sector, capturing 11 percent of green-tech venture investments in 2008 with electric vehicles, advanced batteries, and fuel cells, grabbing 9.5 percent. Worldwide, the U.S. raised the most in green-tech venture funding.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News, Solar

Iowa Biodiesel Plant Ready to Go Back On Line

John Davis

novalogoA biodiesel plant in Iowa should be back on line later this month after a fire last fall idled the 10-million-gallon-a-year facility.

This story from the Iowa Independent says Nova Biosource Fuels’ Clinton County Bioenergy Plant has been repaired after the September 30, 2008 fire:

“The repairs to the damaged equipment are now completed at a cost of less than $100,000,” [Kenneth Hern, chief executive of Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc.] said. “We are optimistic that the refinery will be functioning and ready to re-establish operations during early 2009. We want to extend our appreciation to our engineering and construction staff, who efficiently and effectively repaired the damaged equipment, returning the refinery to a production-ready status.”

The fire was believed to have been started by a build up of methanol vapors in the column during a ventiliation process, a portion of the maintenance activities. The plant in Clinton is slated to resume production as a 10 million gallon per year facility.

The plant was the first commercial scale biodiesel refinery to use Nova’s proprietary processing technology.

Biodiesel

Santa Cruz Making Fryer to Fuel Biodiesel

John Davis

santacruzThe city of Santa Cruz, California has teamed up with several partners to make biodiesel.

This article from Biodiesel Magazine says the U.S. EPA, the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transportation District, biodiesel producer Energy Alternative Solutions Inc., the California Restaurant Association, waste oil collector Salinas Tallow Co. and the city of Santa Cruz are making locally sustainable biodiesel:

The Ecology Action “Fryer to Fuel” program in Santa Cruz has already diverted 60,000 gallons of waste cooking oil grease from landfills, according to the Olof Hansen, U.S. EPA Region 9 representative.

Fryer to Fuel is similar to the SFGreasecycle program currently implemented by the city of San Francisco, but on a much smaller scale. In San Francisco, more than 10 liquid waste haulers collect grease from about 500 restaurants. In Santa Cruz, three licensed haulers collect grease from approximately 30 restaurants.

Hansen said Salinas Tallow agreed to make the 184 gallon containers for all of the participating program customers, at the company’s cost. “This was a significant contribution to the program, as each bin cost approximately $600,” he said.

After collected the grease from restaurants and food service businesses, it’s transported to the collector’s central location. The collector delivers the cleaned grease to biodiesel producer Energy Alternative Solutions for conversion into fuel. Energy Alternative Solutions then transports the finished product to the fleet operators at their desired locations.

The article goes on to point out that the city not only gets the environmental benefits of clean-burning biodiesel produced in a sustainable way, but the program also keeps all the sewer-clogging grease out of the city’s system.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Board CEO Fights Kraft’s Fear-Mongering

John Davis

joe-jobethumbnailThe National Biodiesel Board is refusing to let food companies spread fear and misinformation in the continuing food-versus-fuel debate.

NBB CEO Joe Jobe, responding to Kraft Foods’ CEO Irene Rosenfeld’s blame of biofuels for the rise in food prices, has submitted his own opinion piece to USA Today asking how Kraft can continue to make soaring profits at the cost of its customers… while trying to wrongly blame biodiesel and ethanol:

[Rosenfeld] said, “Forty percent of the food supply is being diverted for use in fuel.” Almost half of all grains, meats, dairy, vegetables and fruit in the world are being converted to fuel? This is fear-mongering at its worst.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization found that of the 10.4 billion acres of available farm land, only 3.7 billion acres are used. Of that, less than 1% is used for biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.

Food companies have blamed biofuels all year for higher prices. Rosenfeld’s statement shows how far companies will go to distract Americans as Kraft raked in $1.4 billion in earnings last quarter. Adjusted for inflation, corn and wheat have dropped by 50% since spring, and soybean prices are lower than at almost any other time since the Great Depression even as biofuels production expands. This year, oil companies made more than ever in profits. The difference is, when oil prices dropped, so did the price at the pump. Too bad Big Food isn’t living up to Big Oil’s standards.

So the next time you’re picking up a box of “the Cheesiest” maybe you should ask, why is it still the priciest? Rest assured it’s not biodiesel’s and ethanol’s faults.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, food and fuel, News