Dems Ready to Introduce Biofuels Bills

John Davis

For the first time in 16 years, Democrats control the U.S. House, Senate and the White House. And for some of the Democratic leaders in the Senate, they see this as the best opportunity to get some of their pet biofuels legislation passed and signed.

This story from CBS News says Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, will offer a couple of bills that will boost the green fuels and help the environment:

One measure would allocate $15 billion a year in grants for advanced biofuel development, and the other would aim to implement an economy-wide cap on emissions.

While the bills are far from drafted, Boxer said both would be designed as economic stimulus packages to create more green jobs and jump-start Barack Obama’s challenge to reverse global warming.

“I believe strongly that we have a recipe for economic recovery,” Boxer told reporters at the Capitol. “The time to start is now, and that’s why my colleagues and I are here to step up to President-Elect Obama’s call to action to address global warming and create millions of green jobs in America.”

Boxer’s bills would most likely meet President-elect Barack Obama’s recent call for legislation to address climate change by reducing emissions.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News

Grants Boosting CT’s Biodiesel Industry

John Davis

Seven Connecticut biodiesel distribution firms have received a total of $350,000 in grants.

This press release from Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell says the money was handed out under the state’s Distribution Facilities Grant Program to companies that undertake projects to develop biodiesel distribution equipment and facilities:

“Support for biodiesel production is not only an economic development issue but also an environmental issue,” Governor Rell said. “By creating more opportunities for renewable energy sources we can assist individual businesses, reduce energy costs, improve air quality and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil. Programs such as this are a key component of my agenda to make Connecticut a leader in sustainability.”Read More

Biodiesel, Government

Fed Fleet Not Fueling Vehicles with Alternative Fuels

The Federal Government’s plan of building their fleet as alternative fuel may be in jeopardy. According to the Washington Post, for the past 16 years they’ve acquired about 112,000 vehicles that can burn something other than fossil fuels. The vehicles are purchased, however, the fuel is difficult for them to find.

“I call it the ‘Field of Dreams’ plan. If you buy them, they will come,” said Wayne Corey, vehicle operations manager with the U.S. Postal Service. “It hasn’t happened.”

Congress has mandated that Federal agencies increase their number of alternative fuel vehicles. Many of the vehicles which have been purchased are E85 compatible, but many of the vehicles were sent to locations in which the fuel is not available. By law, the vehicles must use the alternative fuel should the fuel be available within five miles or 15 minutes from the pump. At this time, 92 percent of the vehicles are not using these such fuels.

The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) assists in locating the appropriate location for E85 fueling stations. NEVC Executive Director Phil Lampert added, “While the preceding article is factually correct, the NEVC has successfully worked with a number of regional offices of the USPS, Dept. of Defense, and General Services Administration to locate FFVs in areas where fueling infrastructure exists. Certainly much can be done to increase the use of E85 in FFVs, but it should be noted that some federal agencies, (particularly regional offices) have been successful in placement of FFVs in areas with fuel.”

E85, Ethanol, Facilities, Government, News

Ethanol Groups Join Together

Cindy Zimmerman

EPICThe Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is joining with the newly-formed Growth Energy group.

EPIC Executive Director Toni Nuernberg made the official announcement today that the organization’s board of directors is recommending a transition plan to the membership for the two groups to combine.

Growth Energy“The mission of EPIC’s formation— growing ethanol awareness through public relations, marketing and promotions — will continue as a core platform of Growth Energy’s initiatives,” said Nuernberg in a statement. EPIC’s programs and staff will be transitioning into Growth Energy over the next few months.

Growth Energy was announced earlier this month as a new ethanol organization formed by the same principals who started EPIC in 2005, “committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy.”

EPIC, Ethanol, Growth Energy, News

WA Supreme Court Green Lights Wind Farm

John Davis

Washington’s State Supreme Court has cleared the way for a wind farm that had been in limbo during a dispute between local residents and the governor.

The Seattle Times reports that the unanimous decision confirmed that Gov. Chris Gregoire had authority to approve a Kittitas County wind farm over the objections of local officials:

The project, from developers Horizon Wind Energy of Houston, would be along U.S. 97 northwest of Ellensburg. Turbines would sit on ridge tops in the blustery Kittitas Valley, on private and state land.

Project officials have said they expect to spend at least $150 million on the wind farm, and supporters say it could provide enough electricity to supply about 30,000 homes.

Before getting Gregoire’s approval, the Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project was reduced from about 120 turbines to about 65, and developers agreed to keep turbines farther from homes and cabins.

But the county commission appealed Gregoire’s ruling, arguing that the state abused its authority in this case, and shouldn’t be allowed to pre-empt county land use laws for wind power projects. The court disagreed, upholding Gregoire’s final decision.

The article adds that the court quoted Don Quixote in its ruling: “They are giants: and, if thou art afraid, get thee aside and pray, whilst I engage with them in fierce and unequal combat.'”

Wind

Minnesota Offers Biodiesel Blending Grants

John Davis

The State of Minnesota is offering $300,000 in grants to help its biodiesel industry.

This story from the Alexandria (MN) Echo Press says the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting proposals for grants for owners of facilities that supply petroleum products to customers who sell, use, or transport fuel in the state of Minnesota:

The facilities should be located on or near a petroleum terminal and have an infrastructure that can be designed to blend cold weather biodiesel with conventional diesel fuels.

Cold weather biodiesel is a high-quality biodiesel blend that can be used successfully year-round, even in the coldest climates.

Grant funds may be used to offset the cost of necessary infrastructure equipment including but not limited to tank, pipe, valves, meters, pumps and heating equipment plus the cost of engineering, fabrication and installation.

The article goes on to say that the proposals need to have a description and cost of the proposed blending facilities and assurances that they will provide biodiesel-blended fuels to the Minnesota diesel fuel market, even in cold weather.

Check out the MDA Web site, www.mda.state.mn.us, for more information. Applications are due by November 28th at 4 p.m. CST.

Biodiesel

Sustainability Forum for Biodiesel

John Davis

The National Biodiesel Board, the foremost advocate for the biodiesel industry in the U.S., has brought together some of the nation’s leaders to work on sustainable solutions for this country’s energy challenges.

A symposium in St. Louis this week featured the NBB’s Sustainability Task Force, a group put together last February at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida. This NBB press release says the meeting featured discussions of critical issues related to the promise of biofuels, including greenhouse gas emission models, biodiesel’s positive energy balance, and the development of next generation feedstocks:

“As America searches for solutions to our energy challenges, U.S. biodiesel is delivering with a cleaner and sustainable renewable fuel source,” said Emily Landsburg, Chair of the NBB’s Sustainability Task Force. “Biodiesel is already helping the nation make important strides toward energy independence and we will continue to explore new and promising practices.”

This week’s symposium included representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the American Soybean Association, the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) and the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities.

This week at the NBB’s fall board meeting, the board adopted several resolutions addressing sustainability. The resolutions pledge to continue to develop internal policies and support practices which promote the use of sustainable feedstocks and biodiesel production methods, and to actively engage in forums addressing global sustainability standards.

The NBB is also trying to counter what it calls “unsound and incomplete science which distorts the effects of biofuels” by providing accurate information about biodiesel to educate the public, elected leaders and the media. To that end, the board has launched a new web site, www.biodieselsustainability.com. Check it out!

Biodiesel

E-Station to Open in Florida

The first green “E-station” is slated to open in Destiny, Florida soon. The 6,000 square-foot will offer a wide array of traditional and non-traditional fuels for the motoring public. E85 and biodiesel are planned to be included.

“Destiny’s E-Station will introduce solar, renewable energy and new sustainable practices into the lives of residents of Osceola County while also educating consumers on how clean technology and carbon reduction can be implemented,” said Randy Johnson, chief operating officer for Destiny. “The E-Station will be a proving ground for technologies and practices of the future and is a testament to our commitment to create a truly eco-sustainable community in the state.”

Mid-State Energy Inc. of Lake Wales, Florida, had purchased the former site known as Key Stop, and had planned on merely updating the facility. They were approached by Destiny with the E-Station idea.

“We are thrilled to be at the forefront of the creation of one of the country’s first E-stations and are excited to work with Destiny to turn their vision into reality,” said Ken Allen Jr., president of Mid-State Energy. “We believe the E-Station offers a remarkable opportunity to be part of the transition of change from fossil to alternative fuels and a platform for educating the public on new green technologies, and the latest in energy efficient systems which is long overdue in our traditional industry.”

Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol, Facilities, News

Ethanol Report from Cellulosic Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol Report PodcastThe third annual Cellulosic Ethanol Summit was held this week in Coral Gables, Florida and Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen was once again chairman of the summit.

In this “Ethanol Report” podcast, Dinneen discusses a number of issues – including the race to commercialize cellulosic ethanol, the new administration, getting more flex fuel vehicles on the road, the continuing attacks from the food industry, and the all important land use issue.

You can listen to “The Ethanol Report” on-line here:
[audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/rfa/ethanol-report-22.mp3]

Or you can subscribe to this podcast by following this link.

Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, RFA

Indy Chooses Brazilian Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

The domestic ethanol industry is pleading with the Indy Racing League to reconsider the decision to make Brazil the official ethanol supplier for the 23 IndyCar Series races.

Green FlagIn a letter to IRL commercial division president Terry Angstadt this week, Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen implored the IRL to “at least ensure that the Indianapolis 500 be run on American homegrown ethanol and suggested the league need look no further than the network of ethanol producers in the state of Indiana.”

Earlier this week, IRL announced a multi-year partnership with APEX-Brasil making the trade promotion agency the official ethanol supplier to the IndyCar Series beginning with the 2009 season. The deal includes cooperation from UNICA (the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association) to identify those interested in supplying ethanol to the series. Initially, UNICA will look to partner with a U.S.-based ethanol company to supply the IndyCar Series with corn-based ethanol.

“The move to other sources of ethanol is a natural progression as the ethanol industry continues to grow and evolve,” said Angstadt. “We continue to strive to be on the leading edge of the greening of racing. The IndyCar Series was the first motorsports series to mandate use of a renewable fuel, and now we will work with the ethanol industry in both the United States and Brazil to promote the use of all types of ethanol by consumers.”

Reportedly, the new agreement with Brazil does include an exception for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 to use domestically produced corn ethanol, but no exception for the Indy 500.

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News