In Iowa, an explosion occurred at the the Soy Energy biodiesel plant in Mason City. Damage was reported from the fire that ensued but no injuries were reported. The plant, which employs a staff of 40l, will be closed pending an investigation into the blast. Plant president Jeff Oestmann told the Des Moines Register, ““biodiesel […]
In Colombia, the Ministry of Mines and Energy stated that biodiesel production from its sugarcane and palm resources can reduce GHG emissions by 83 and 74 percent. Biodiesel Magazine is reporting that Colombia is banking on hopes that a combination of attractive carbon savings and the local growing conditions will spark a biofuels boom in […]
In Singapore, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory and JOil have successfully developed genetically modified jatropha plants with high oleic acid content in seeds. JOil is expected to further develop commercial varieties with this trait for commercialization. “Oleic acid is the most desirable oil component for the purpose of biofuel, it gives the best balance between cold […]
In India, the Union Rural Development Ministry Jairam Ramesh has put the Jathropa plantation program on hold. The Energy Research Institute (Teri) pointed out in a 2010 study that the plantation can threat the food production in the lands. The proposed program was to plant up to 300,000 hectares for biodiesel production, but the minister […]
In Maine, the Farm Press is reporting that three pathways for wood-based aviation biofuels are being pursued at the University of Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Research Institute. The focus is drop-in biofuels, and there is a video available of the researchers work.
In Washington, the Obama Administration will tussle shortly over the future of palm oil-based biofuels in the US. At issue: whether both direct and indirect land use change that is the result of palm’s expansion in Indonesia, should be enough to ban the otherwise climate-friendly feedstock from the US. Palm producers are on notice to […]
The Biofuels Digest Index™ (BDI), a basket of public biofuels stocks, was punished again, falling 1.98 percent to 62.47 despite an advanced biofuels rally. For the day, Cosan (CZZ) fell 5.48 percent to $12.07, while Renewable Energy Group (REGI) fell 9.63 percent to $7.13. Among other equities, Shell (RDS-A) fell 1.80 percent to 62.57. Overall, […]
In “Operation Free”, a coalition of retired Admirals and Air Force and Army Generals say “We cannot drill our way out of the problem of energy security,” in letter to Senate Energy Committee heads. In Washington, a group of retired military leaders, organized as “Operation Free” within the Truman National Security Project, called on Senate […]
Early voting is underway in the 40 Hottest Partners in Bioenergy and Bio-Based Products rankings. Among the category leaders in the early going: Green Plains Renewable Energy, Harris Group, Novozymes, Solazyme, Waste Management, Khosla Ventures, the USDA, POET-DSM, Mintz Levin, Stoel Rives and Wilson Sonsini, Albemarle, BASF and Koch, Gevo and UOP, Ford, MBI, the […]
In New Mexico, ARA announced today that Chevron Lummus Global has joined the ReadiJet Alternative Fuel Initiative to develop drop-in biofuels for jet and diesel engines, eliminating the need for blending with petroleum. The joint development effort combines ARA’s CH PROCESS technology with Chevron Lummus Global’s ISOCONVERSION process technology. Commercial samples of ReadiJet™ fuel are […]
