Domestic Fuel

Farmers in Pennsylvania could soon be earning carbon credits for burning a clean fuel that they help grow right on those farms.

Biodiesel Magazine reports that the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has partnered with Global Emissions Exchange of Closter, N.J. to work out a plan they hope to roll out by the last quarter of this year that will give the credits for using biodiesel in no-till practices:

When the biodiesel-focused portion of the program rolls out, farmers will earn carbon credits at a rate of 19.7 pounds of carbon dioxide reduction per gallon of B100 biodiesel used, according to Philip Gotthelf, managing director for the Global Emissions Exchange. The protocol used to determine the carbon credits earnings for biodiesel was developed in cooperation with Amerigreen BioFuels Inc., a biodiesel wholesaler and blender in Lower Swatara Township, Penn.

Gotthelf said the Global Emissions Exchange is a fractional carbon exchange that allows anyone to register any energy efficient product or technology, from a single light bulb to an entire wind farm. He said the system allows for small quantities of emissions reductions to be combined into one-pound and one-kilogram carbon credits, which can then be sold on the exchange.

Gotthelf says biodiesel producers might also be able to purchase carbon credits from their consumers that could be traded for a discount on the biodiesel they buy.

An American company that moves fuels and runs terminals has successfully tested a biodiesel pipeline in the Southeastern United States, joining the firm’s efforts of moving ethanol through another pipeline in the South.

This story from Reuters says Kinder Morgan Energy Partners recently sent 20,000 gallons of 5 percent biodiesel from Mississippi to South Carolina through the Plantation oil products pipeline:

Company spokeswoman Emily Mir Thompson said Kinder would ship the fuel blends along portions of the line that carry gasoline and diesel fuel. That way, any potential “trail back” of biodiesel into jet fuel would be averted.

Kinder said late last year [see my November 11, 2008] it is also moving batches of another biofuel — ethanol– through a 105 mile (170 km) products line in Florida.

A Kinder Morgan spokesperson says the company could soon ship ethanol through another pipeline in the U.S. Southeast or West.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced with a press release that The Pace Energy and Climate Center has been selected to develop a renewable fuels roadmap and sustainable biomass feedstock study that will help guide New York State policy on renewable fuels. The Roadmap was one of several recommendations from Governor David Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force report issued in 2008. The project is co-sponsored by the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Agriculture and Markets; who along with NYSERDA will oversee the development of the Roadmap.

The Roadmap is scheduled for completion in September, 2009.

A post on Ben Smith’s Blog, part of Politico, says that Growth Energy will be announcing General Wes Clark as their new Co-Chairman. We’ll be on the announcement call to confirm this.

General Wes Clark has signed on as a front man for the ethanol industry , a source familiar with his plans said, putting him in the trenches of a high-stakes, if somewhat obscure, Washington lobbying battle.

He’ll announce at a Marriott Wardman Park press conference tomorrow that he’ll be the co-chair of Growth Energy, an ethanol industry group that’s been engaged in a fascinating fight with the Grocery Manufacturers Association over, more or less, the price of corn.

I’m sitting in artic Tennessee and feel like I’m an extra in the movie “The Day After Tomorrow” depicting the world in turmoil due to global warming. Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but the bitter cold, along with low gas prices, is a perfect combination to lull me into energy and environmental complacency.

I just finished reading, “Living Like Ed” by Ed Begley, Jr. His book is a “guide to the eco-friendly life.” I read it mostly out of curiosity to see how this long-time environmentalist and celebrity viewed biofuels. It was actually quite surprising in that he is very much in favor of ethanol, specifically E85, even more than biodiesel.

Most celebrities are out tooling around in their vegetable cars touting biodiesel, and rarely out in their flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) touting E85. (Maybe its because driving with grease is sexier than driving with corn.)

His book has some good tips that don’t border on the extreme – Ed is known to recycle EVERYTHING. But since this is an alternative energy blog, I’ll give you a brief run-down on his “transportation hierarchy.

1. Walking
2. Riding his bike
3. Public Transportation
4. Electric Car
5. Hybrid Car
6. Fly

Read the rest of this post…

Biodiesel continues to prove it is the most star-powered of renewable fuels.

Singer/song writer Melissa Etheridge is the latest star to show her support for biodiesel, appearing Tuesday at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Francisco. The artist shared an inspirational story of how her battle with breast cancer led her to want to make a difference in the world and how that in turn led her to start using biodiesel.

Etheridge started using biodiesel after a chance meeting with Willie Nelson on a plane a few years ago which inspired her to use biodiesel in all of her tour buses and trucks, as well as in her own personal vehicle, a Ford diesel Excursion that she fills with biodiesel in her own garage.

Her vehicle is covered with biodiesel stickers and she has become a one-on-one advocate for the fuel in her own personal life. “Any diesel engine can run on biodiesel,” she emphasizes. “When it finally sunk in to me that the diesel engine was meant to run on peanut oil or vegetable oil, I realized that all of the troubles that we are having now with the petroleum industry could be avoided.”

For her efforts and enthusiasm, Etheridge received this year’s Influence award from the National Biodiesel Board, presented to her by NBB CEO Joe Jobe and Daryl Hannah.

Listen to her comments at the conference here: nbb-09-melissa-1.mp3

Get full coverage of the 2009 National Biodiesel Conference here.

2009 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.7MB)

The world’s largest retailer has increased the efficiency in its private fleet by 25 percent over the last three years, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and fuel use… and it wants to get even greener in the years to come.

This story from ArkansasBusiness.com says Wal-Mart will test trucks that have diesel-electric hybrid motors and recycle grease from its stores to make biodiesel to run in conventional diesel engines:

“In order to meet our goal of doubling our fleet efficiency, we are taking an active role in the development of these technologies,” Chris Sultemeier, senior vice president of transportation for Wal-Mart Stores, said in a news release. “We look forward to determining if these technologies will help reduce our environmental footprint, are viable for our business and provide a return on investment.”

Meanwhile, 15 trucks at its Buckeye, Ariz., distribution center will be converted to run on reclaimed grease fuel made with the waste brown cooking grease from Wal-Mart stores. Other trucks here will operate on an 80/20 blend of biodiesel.

The story goes on to say that Wal-Mart will be using other diesel-electric hybrids and running liquid natural gas in trucks in Dallas; Houston,; Apple Valley, Calif.; Atlanta; Washington D.C.; Baltimore; and in southern California

A Northern New York State auto dealer has become the exclusive installation center of ROUSH Liquid Propane Injection systems in Ford trucks and vans in the Northeastern United States.

This press release from Ferrario Ford in Elmira, NY says it expects to convert thousands of Ford vehicles, especially the very popular F-150 and F-250 models of trucks:

With the introduction of the ROUSH Liquid Propane Injection system for the Ford F-150, ROUSH Performance has instantly become the leading supplier of Alternative Fuel Vehicles of this type. Ferrario Ford is performing F-150 upgrades now, and will begin production of the F-250 and Econoline models later in 2009.

Selection as the Northeast U.S. installation center will be a great economic boost for Elmira, NY. Over the next few years, Ferrario anticipates upfitting several thousand Ford trucks. Customers may purchase a completed unit from Ferrario, or work with their local Ford Dealer to send a vehicle to Ferrario for upfit. Ferrario Ford is the ROUSH Propane installation center for customers in CT, D.C., MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, PA, VT, and WV.

Those who convert their F-150 to propane get a federal tax credit of $2,500 and $5,000 for F-250 and Econoline models. In addition, vehicles that burn propane get a 50-cents-a-gallon tax credit. Ferrario says drivers could see up to $2,000 a year in fuel cost savings.

According to Green Tech, the inventor of the EFuel100 MicroFueler home ethanol maker has signed on Sierra Nevada Brewing to make ethanol from beer dregs. E-Fuel said that the beer company will start testing EFuel’s refrigerator-sized portable ethanol refineries in the second quarter of this year using discarded beer yeast as a feedstock for ethanol.

In a statement, Sierra Nevada Brewing president and founder Ken Grossman said the MicroFueler has the potential to improve the environment by reducing waste and to make fuel domestically.

Growth Energy has announced that it will name “a major national figure” this week as co-chairman of the recently formed ethanol advocacy group.

According to a Growth Energy announcement, “This individual will bring foreign policy experience, environmental leadership, and political expertise to the organization and will be a strong advocate for policies that will help promote renewable energy and create green-collar jobs.”

The announcement of the co-chairman will be made on Thursday. Growth Energy was formed late last year by POET CEO Jeff Broin and other ethanol industry leaders.

A new initiative was announced at the opening general session of the National Biodiesel Conference Monday – Scientists for Biodiesel.

Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute founder Dr. Rob Myers made the announcement as co-chair of the campaign with Donald Danforth Plant Science Center President Roger Beachy. “Scientists sometimes have differences of opinion, but this declaration is intended to show the broad consensus among scientists about the benefits of biodiesel,” Myers said. “Our goal is to increase awareness and information sharing about the depth and breadth of the scientific research behind biodiesel that contributes to its sustainability.” The declaration also calls for more investment into the scientific needs associated with this vital bioenergy source.

By visiting www.biodieselsustainability.com, scientists can share information about their work and sign the declaration which says in part, “Biodiesel from a variety of feedstocks can meet contemporary needs for environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and quality of life without compromising the ability of future generations to meet these needs for themselves.”

Listen to Myers read the declaration here: nbb-09-myers.mp3

2009 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

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Awards were presented at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Francisco Monday to people who have helped the industry grow.

The winner of this year’s Impact Award from the National Biodiesel Board is Dr. Randall von Wedel of CytoCulture International, who has helped San Francisco become a leader in municipal use of biodiesel. NBB CEO Joe Jobe says Dr. von Wedel was being recognized for his “energy, enthusiasm and development work” on behalf of biodiesel.

National Biodiesel Board Vice Chairman Gary Haer (right) with Renewable Energy Group (REG) had the pleasure of presenting this year’s Industry Partnership Awards to fuel quality program managers in two states – Ronald Hayes (left) of Missouri and Randy Jennings (center) from Tennessee.

“The award is going to two people who have really made a difference in our quality efforts,” said Haer. “These two gentlemen have led their states in ‘best in class’ quality enforcement programs that serve as a model for other states to adopt.”

In addition, Hayes and Jennings have been working with the National Conference on Weights and Measures and ASTM International to develop and enforce standards for biodiesel.

Read more about the activities at the conference on the Biodiesel Conference Blog.

2009 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) is making more inroads in the Western United States as it has opened a new biodiesel terminal in Southern Colorado.

This company press release says the opening of REG’s 20,000 gallon tank in Alamosa, Colorado comes on the heels of another terminal in Ogden, Utah and will make available the company’s REG-9000TM brand biodiesel in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico:

REG-9000TM brand biodiesel from Renewable Energy Group® (REG®) is available at the location as part of the company’s national infrastructure plan. REG has a strategic agreement with Alta Fuels., a petroleum company and experience biodiesel marketers, to offer blending of petroleum diesel with REG-9000 biodiesel at the site.

Haer noted the Colorado terminal is just one piece of Renewable Energy Group’s strategic plan to increase biodiesel availability. “We are committed to meeting U.S. demand for biodiesel through infrastructure creation,” explained Haer. “REG currently markets biodiesel to all 48 continental states, and with this and other strategic terminal locations, REG is able to extend our biodiesel product offering. We aim to help our petroleum distribution customers more quickly access high quality biodiesel to meet their customers’ demands.”

There are more than 20 Renewable Energy Group biodiesel locations nationwide.

The National Biodiesel Conference is underway this week in San Francisco with the theme of “Leading Change Now.”

One of the first companies to realize biodiesel’s potential for both farmers and farm machinery was New Holland, thanks to the influence of Gene Hemphill, manager of North American Industry Affairs for the company, pictured here (right) with National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe.

Two years ago, Hemphill received the Biodiesel Innovation Award at this conference for his foresight and support of the industry, which he says goes back over 20 years. “We became involved with it when they were actually calling it soy diesel,” Gene says. “We were the first company to offer a warranty on all of our engines for 20 percent biodiesel and about a year and a half later to offer a warranty for 100 percent biodiesel in all of our engines.”

New Holland’s support for the National Biodiesel Conference includes annual sponsorship of the media room, in addition to other special treats such as the display of Jay Leno’s Eco-Jet concept car and the appearance of Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who will speak about his support of renewable fuels and entertain at the Tuesday evening reception.

Listen to an interview with Gene Hemphill here: nbb-09-gene.mp3

Follow all the activities at the National Biodiesel Conference this week on the conference blog.

2009 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.0MB)