Bill Expands Biodiesel Education Program

John Davis

Introduction of bipartisan legislation by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) could expand the federal biodiesel education program.

According to this National Biodiesel Board release, the Biodiesel Education and Expansion Act of 2007 would extend the program started in 2003 for another five years and double the resources allocated for biodiesel education efforts:

Sen. Amy Klobuchar“When it comes to renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, it’s one thing for the government to give incentives to produce the fuel, but it’s another thing altogether to make sure the public knows what the fuel is, what it’s made from, and that it works in their car,” said Senator Klobuchar. “That’s why I support these crucial education programs.”

Sen. Mike CrapoSenator Crapo said, “In the face of rising gasoline prices and increasing calls for energy independence, people are looking for alternatives to conventional petroleum. The value of the Biodiesel Education Grant Program is that it helps people understand–from seed to gas tank–the benefits of biodiesel, including production practices, standards and fuel quality, and basic economics, so that they can make educated decisions about their fuel purchases.”

The legislation gained the praise of the National Biodiesel Board:

NBB logo“Biodiesel is in position to make a significant contribution to our nation’s energy security, but education remains one of our last great hurdles,” said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. “While we’ve made substantial progress, we have much more work to do before biodiesel becomes a household word. We commend Senators Klobuchar and Crapo for recognizing the significance of this in ensuring a versatile, domestically supplied energy market.”

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

Texas A&M Biodiesel Short Course

John Davis

Texas A&M logoThe Food Protein Research & Development Center at Texas A&M University is offering its 4th Practical Short Course on Biodiesel and Industrial Applications of Vegetable Oils, August 19-22, 2007.

This interactive course is designed to meet some specific objectives:

Texas A&M BiodieselTrain personnel in :
• Methods Of Biodiesel Production
• Analysis and Quality Control Assurance for Biodiesel
• Synthesis of Oleochemicals from Vegetable Oils
• Uses of Glycerine

For more information, click on the registration form here.

Biodiesel

Women and Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Women are heavy purchasers of fuel and most say they are willing to buy alternative fuels, but a recent survey indicates they need more information to make that choice at the pump.

The survey was conducted by sending 9,000 emails to women readers of magazines published by Meredith Corporation, which includes some of the oldest and most popular, such as Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal and Family Circle.

Woman EthanolMarketing and sales manager Jana Rieker with Successful Farming magazine presented the results of the survey at the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop.

“The important thing is that if we don’t pay attention to the female audience, we will be missing out on an opportunity to really grow ethanol demand,” said Rieker. “The research we conducted through Meredith Consumer Insights has shown that the key factors important to women are based on environmental factors and opportunities for reducing dependence on foreign oil.”

In fact, the survey found that 90 percent of women felt that less reliance on foreign oil was an important reason for them personally to buy or use renewable fuels and 85 percent said protecting the environment was an important reason.

Rieker says women in general are directly or indirectly responsible for about 95 percent of consumer household purchases and they buy about 21 gallons per week on fuel.

“If you think about who does the driving to daycare or to school or to after school activities, the mom is the one who does most of the driving,” Rieker said.

That’s why Rieker says making choices that benefit the future for their children is important to women. “Because ethanol does burn cleaner, when women make a choice for ethanol they benefit their children and their future.”

E85, EPIC, Ethanol, News, Research

Ethanol and Energy Security

Cindy Zimmerman

e-podcast Weather-related problems that have caused damage to refineries in the Midwest have highlighted the need to diversify our nation’s transportation fuel needs. This issue is not only important for consumers who are feeling the pinch at the gas pump, but also for our country’s overall energy security.

This edition of “Fill up, Feel Good” discusses ethanol’s benefits in terms of energy security and the environment, featuring comments from a Midwest fuel supplier, the organizer of a national summit on energy security and climate change, and a world-renowned explorer and environmentalist.

The “Fill up, Feel Good” podcast is available to download by subscription (see our sidebar link)
or you can listen to it by clicking here (5:30 MP3 File): [audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/epic-podcast-7-15-07.mp3]

The Fill Up, Feel Good theme music is “Tribute to Joe Satriani” by Alan Renkl, thanks to the Podsafe Music Network.

“Fill up, Feel Good” is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Audio, Energy, EPIC, Ethanol, Fill Up Feel Good, global warming, Government, News

Ford Goes for Hydrogen Speed Record

John Davis

Fusion 999Ford will go for a land speed record for a vehicle powered by hydrogen at the Bonneville Salt Flats next month.

This story on the the U.K.-based web site, Autocar.com, says it will be a test of Original Equipment Manufacturer… or OEM… fuel cell cars:

“We have made some modifications to the body to make it more aerodynamic,” said lead engineer Matt Zuehlk. “The 999 is much lower to the ground. There are no mirrors on the vehicle, and the traditional grille in the front that lets air into the radiator is not there because we don’t have a radiator onboard.”

Ford is making the Hydrogen 999 in collaboration with a team from Ohio State University. While they’re at Bonneville, they will also be making an attempt on the speed record for “unlimited class fuel cell vehicles”, in a contraption called the Buckeye Bullet 2.

Buckeye Bullet
Check out the picture. It’s a pretty cool ride… especially with it being green powered.

Hydrogen

Bioenergy Booming in Oregon

John Davis

Oregon State UniversityA new study from Oregon State University says Oregon’s biofuels future remains pretty bright.

This story from the OSU web site says renewable energy, ethanol and biodiesel in particular, will become a $2.5 billion industry in the state over the next 20 years:

“We knew there was a lot of interest in this area and opportunities for growth, but it was very surprising to see how much is already going on,” said Kenneth Williamson, head of chemical engineering at Oregon State University, who coordinated the production of this report.

“It appears the most activity so far has been focused in corn-based ethanol and waste-oil biodiesel production, but we expect the field to broaden beyond that,” Williamson said. “Because electricity from hydroelectric production is so inexpensive in the Pacific Northwest, the production of liquid fuels may continue to be the most promising area, especially in areas like cellulosic ethanol where we have some advantages.”

The study found that if all the proposed bioenergy plants are built, the state would produce 400 million gallons a year of ethanol, 315 million gallons of biodiesel, between 40 and 60 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol, and 150 megawatts of biomass power. Researchers also say public outreach and education is necessary for all of this to come to fruition.

You can see the full results of the study by clicking here.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Duke Testing Biodiesel Generator

John Davis

DukeDuke Energy is testing a blend of biodiesel in one of its power generators.

This story from the Charlotte Observer says it’s a first-of-its-kind test of biodiesel to fuel power plants:

Duke’s Mill Creek combustion-turbine plant normally runs on natural gas and diesel fuel. But this week, one of its eight units sampled blends of diesel and biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil.

Because it comes from plants, biodiesel could help Duke produce some of its power from renewable fuels. N.C. legislators are considering a bill to require that part of the state’s electricity come from such domestically produced sources.

Duke says its tests at Mill Creek, on a unit that can produce 80 megawatts of power, were the largest U.S. trial of biodiesel on a plant of that type and size. The unit could supply about 80,000 homes if it ran constantly, but is typically used only at times of peak demand.

Three different blends of biodiesel, 20 percent, 50 percent, and 100 percent, have been tested. Officials say early results are good, and they have a better handle on how good in a few months.

Biodiesel

E85 Viper Beats Record

Cindy Zimmerman

e85 viper220.7 MPH is the new world record for a street car in the standing mile, achieved by a modified Dodge Viper running on 85 percent ethanol fuel, proving power and performance do not have to be sacrificed for environmental responsibility.

e85 viper runThe 1200 horsepower E85 Viper rocketed from a standstill to 220.7 MPH in one mile, taking 27.43 seconds at the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport in Oscoda, Mich. The previous standing mile record was 210.2 MPH held by a gasoline powered street car. The event was attended by members of the press and Michigan State Representative Joel Sheltrown.

“Going green does not have to mean going slow,” said Karl Jacob, owner and entrepreneur. “We built this car to break the world speed record and bring attention to the importance of renewable fuels. These fuels decrease our dependence on oil and reduce overall emissions. As we’ve demonstrated E85 enables us to go green and go fast.”

E85, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles, News

Midwest Facing Fuel Shortages

Cindy Zimmerman

CulverIn an effort to address low gasoline and diesel supplies caused by recent refinery outages, Iowa Governor Chet Culver has signed a proclamation to temporarily lift regulatory provisions that limit the number of hours gasoline and diesel truck drivers can be on the road, according to the governor’s office. Ethanol and biodiesel are also eligible for hauling subject to the emergency declaration.

“This was a necessary step,” said Governor Culver. “Supplies were tight to begin with, and then after the Coffeyville, Kansas refinery was flooded last week, supplies became very tight.

“Now is as good of a time as any to point out the need for our state and our country to focus on energy conservation, fuel efficiency and researching and developing new, innovative alternative fuels. I look forward to a day where gasoline refinery outages will not impact Iowa’s energy supply. Simply put, we must work to wean ourselves off foreign oil. I am committed to doing everything I can as Governor to ensure that Iowa remains a leader developing new, clean forms of alternative energy for future generations.”

Minnesota, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, and Kansas have also issued waivers.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News

Third POET Plant for Indiana

Cindy Zimmerman

POETPOET officials broke ground Friday for their third ethanol production facility in Indiana, this one near North Manchester.

According to POET, the 65 million gallon per year facility will be one of the most environmentally friendly ethanol production facilities in operation today.

It will utilize proprietary technology from POET, like the patent-pending BPX process that eliminates cooking in ethanol production and reduces energy use by as much as 15 percent in comparison with conventional plants. The plant will recycle all water used in the ethanol production process and will be outfitted with a regenerative thermal oxidizer that eliminates up to 99.9 percent of air emissions.

EPIC, Ethanol, Facilities, News