A new biodiesel blending facility located at a petroleum terminal in Aurora, Colorado is seen as key to improving the availability of biodiesel in the area while helping integrate the green fuel into the nation’s petroleum infrastructure.
Pipeline company Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P., is the owner of the facility. The ceremony was attended by industry and legislative leaders and gained the praise of the National Biodiesel Board in this release:
“Today we are witnessing a renewable energy revolution in our state and in our nation,” said U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), who spoke at the opening ceremony. “This revolution is fueled by innovative firms like Magellan and CHS who understand that the production of clean, renewable biofuels not only strengthens America’s national and environmental security, but offers an unprecedented opportunity to spur economic growth and job creation in our rural communities as well. I commend them for their work and urge other firms to follow suit.”
The recently passed federal Energy Bill includes an expanded Renewable Fuels Standard, which for the first time will require more renewable fuel to be incorporated into the U.S. diesel market. Biodiesel and other renewable fuels depend on petroleum infrastructure such as the Magellan terminal for easy distribution.
“We are celebrating the opening of our 10th biodiesel distribution system inside one of our petroleum distribution terminals,” says Don Wellendorf, Magellan CEO. “We view renewable fuel distribution as a growth opportunity for our company and we are a trailblazer in this area. Our investment in biodiesel blending infrastructure at our Aurora facility is underpinned by our customer CHS, and the renewable fuel policies passed by Congress.”
Right now, more than 40 terminals nationwide provide biodiesel. Increased numbers of these biodiesel terminals are seen as key to getting biodiesel more widely used.
Indiana Corn and Soybean is also working to gain support for a Biofuels special recognition license plate to be made available through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
According to Greentech (Media), venture firms also continue to invest in biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel, with more than $750 Million directed towards these new feedstocks and technologies. Notable alternative energy VC funding rounds in 2007 included HelioVolt’s $101M for thin film photovoltaics, Great Point’s $100M for coal gasification, Amyris’ $70M for synthetic biology and biofuels, and A123’s $70M for innovative battery technology.
Dakota Wind Energy, LLC, has announced plans to form South Dakota’s first utility scale community-owned wind project. The project has the potential of generating 750 megawatts of energy and will spread over 700 square miles of farmland in Roberts, Marshall, and Day counties. 
Safeway, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the nation, has announced it will fuel its entire U.S. fleet of trucks with 20 percent biodiesel.
“We commend Safeway for showing leadership in true corporate sustainability,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. “The company is also reducing its dependence on foreign oil and helping to stimulate a domestic energy economy. We encourage other large retailers to follow this example.”
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2008 is shaping up to be the “Year of E85.” Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Marketing Director Reece Nanfito was at the media preview for the big auto show in Detroit this week where big announcements were made regarding ethanol and ethanol-powered vehicles. 
It looks like former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will win the Michigan primary. So, as I have done for other candidates as they have won caucuses and primaries, I’m posting some of the winner’s thoughts on renewable energy.
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt wants a 5 percent biodiesel standard for his state.
Blunt’s announcement was welcomed by the Missouri Soybean Association, which pointed out that in 2008, biodiesel production in the state is expected to reach at least 125 million gallons… more than enough to meet the 60 million gallon mark a 5 percent biodiesel mandate would produce. If passed, Missouri would be the first state to pass and implement a B5 standard. Minnesota has a 2 percent mandate already in effect, while Louisiana, Oregon, and Washington are waiting for production targets to be met before implementing their 2 percent biodiesel standards.