Chevron, NREL join to study algae for fuel

from CNNMoney.com:

SAN RAMON, Calif., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chevron Corporation and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced today that they have entered into a collaborative research and development agreement to study and advance technology to produce liquid transportation fuels using algae.

Chevron and NREL scientists will collaborate to identify and develop algae strains that can be economically harvested and processed into finished transportation fuels such as jet fuel. Chevron Technology Ventures, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., will fund the initiative.

Read More>>

Why $100 oil offers little impact on new economy

from CNNMoney.com:
Higher efficiency, a more diverse energy mix and a more prosperous nation have softened rising oil's economic punch.
By Steve Hargreaves, CNNMoney.com staff writer

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The days of rising oil prices alone threatening to knock out the economy may be over. At more than $93 a barrel, oil prices are at or near all-time highs, even when adjusted for inflation.

Yet the economy has so far withstood the impact of rising crude. By contrast, the last time crude prices were this high, in the early 1980s, the economy tanked.

It's not like oil no longer matters, but it's clear the the energy economy has changed dramatically. Efficiency gains, higher prices driven by demand - not supply - a more diverse energy mix and the fact that people simply make more money means that energy no longer pulls the overall economy like it used to.

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How a Fed rate cut raises oil prices

from CNNMoney.com:
Expect even higher crude prices if the central bank cuts interest rates Wednesday.
By Steve Hargreaves, CNNMoney.com staff writer

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- If you think oil prices are high now, wait till Wednesday.
That's when the Federal Reserve is set to announce its decision on interest rates. Most say a cut is coming.

"If the Fed cuts rates, it will probably push oil prices higher," said Adam Sieminski, chief energy economist at Deutsche Bank.

There are a couple of reasons lower interest rates usually cause higher oil prices. The first is lower interest rates are designed to spur economic growth by making money for investment cheaper to borrow. Stronger economic growth usually entails using more energy, so traders bid up oil prices on the expectation of higher demand.

Second, lower interest rates usually cause the dollar to fall, as they make dollar-denominated investments like Treasurys less attractive for foreign investors.

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Food vs. Fuel? New Oil-Extraction Technology Offers Both

from Toronto Globe and Mail:
IAN HARVEY
Special to The Globe and Mail
October 30, 2007

In the "food vs. fuel" debate about global crop usage, fuel may be winning.

Millions of bushels of corn are being diverted to ethanol production as gas-hungry countries scramble to offset the soaring cost of crude oil. As a result, grain and food prices are rising - a sign that quenching our thirst for fuel may spur hunger pangs along the way.

Chris Carl, founder and president of Toronto-based Bio-Extraction Inc. (BioExx), believes his company has a solution: A proprietary oil-extraction process that could hold the key to maintaining the balance between food and fuel needs.

Read More>>

Las Vegas Auto Show: Chevy Suburban HD71 with Diesel

from Autoblog.com:

While it's not easy for us to get caught up in the idea of an off-road ready school schlepper, the Chevrolet Suburban HD Z71 gets our attention because of its small-displacement 4.5-liter diesel. All the mud-plugging gear is easy to overlook when you consider how an oil-burning Suburban might fare in the marketplace. It seems like a reasonable addition to GM's 'ute lineup especially since the concept simply pilfered the parts bin for a new motor and the front end from a Silverado HD. Greater fuel efficiency and the ability to tower over the masses on the way to the grocery store? We smell a hit.

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Royal Caribbean fuels ships with biodiesel

from Treehugger.com (Blog)

by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, OH:

In a move that should help lighten the large amount of sulfur pollutants emitted from their cruise ships, Royal Caribbean Cruises has signed up to purchase a boatload (couldn't resist) of biodiesel from Imperium Renewables. For 2007, Royal Caribbean will buy a minimum of 15 million gallons, and for the four years after a minimum of 18 million gallons.

Imperium believes this purchase to be "the single-largest long-term biodiesel sales contract to an end user in the US." Here's to making the high seas a little cleaner - and may the other cruise companies follow suit or be forced to walk the plank!

WSJ: Oil could face resistance to $100 threshold

from The Wall Street Journal online (subscription)
By Matt Chambers:

If oil prices have difficulty clearing the $100 milestone, psychology might be one reason why.

Expectations for tight year-end supply and other factors that have driven crude to record heights aren't likely to diminish soon. But psychological resistance to triple-figure oil and a nagging feeling that prices have run too high, too soon could keep crude from reaching $100 a barrel before year's end, as traders decide to lock in gains instead, analysts say.


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Diesel Revs Up As Potential Alternate Fuel

from The Boston Globe online
By G. Chambers Williams III, San Antonio Express-News October 28, 2007:


Americans are clamoring for cars with diesel engines.


But the automakers, who are quite used to selling diesels in Europe, seem content to offer these generally more fuel-efficient engines mostly in trucks for the US market.

Many consumers have seen the small diesel-powered cars in Europe, though, and wonder why they can't get those same vehicles here. It's one of the most common questions sent in by readers, often just after they return from a European trip.


In Europe, nearly half of all passenger vehicles are sold with diesel engines. Diesel fuel there is cheaper than gasoline, and the cars that run on diesel have higher fuel-economy ratings than their gasoline-powered counterparts.


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China Rations Diesel as Refiners Struggle with Record Crude Oil Prices

from the Tehran Times:

""What's wrong with the oil market? Our drivers had to queue the whole night for only a small amount of fill, slowing the traffic by almost one day,"" said Gao Meili, who manages a logistics company. ""Why not just raise the prices? We are ready to pay a bit more if we can get the oil.""

Gao's comments hit the core reason for the supply squeeze -- Chinese refiners cannot pass the soaring crude costs on to consumers. Beijing fears stoking already high inflation and rigidly caps pump fuel rates to shield users from a 50 percent rally in global oil so far this year.

Read More>>

Governor Doyle Signs Budget

UPDATE: Biodiesel Tax Credits; Grant for Soybean Crush Included

MADISON - The passage of the Wisconsin 2007-09 state budget brings with it a $22 million renewable energy package that goes a long way toward making Wisconsin competitive in the area of biodiesel fuels. The Wisconsin Soybean Association, the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association and Landmark Services Cooperative today applauded the Governor and the Legislature for their support of these measures in the budget and their commitment to renewable energy in Wisconsin.

Read Press Release Here>>

Dutch Company Advances Algae Production for Biodiesel Feedstock

from Mass Media Distribution Newswire:

The Netherlands -- AlgaeLink NV, a European leader in alternative energy production, announced today that they have developed patented photobioreactor systems for algae which are the only ones in the world that are not built out of pre-manufactured tubes, but out of special manufactured UV protected transparent sheets, equipped with a type of zipper.

When the 4 to 6 mm thick sheets arrive on the building site, they are easily and automatically folded into a durable and sturdy, perfectly round tube with a diameter of 64 cm. This tube automatically seals water tight. With this construction the shipping costs will be reduced by 90%.

During the three years of its development, AlgaeLink has made tremendous progress in the science of algae and the engineering of their patented, large commercialized microalgae production systems.

Read More>>

UPDATE! Also Read "Green Fuel Lurks in Pond Scum" from New Zealand Herald Online to learn about additional entrepreneurs researching and promoting algae as a feedstock for biodiesel.

OPEC, Mideast Tensions, US Oil Stocks Drive Oil Prices to New Record Over $90

from Bloomberg.com:
By Mark Shenk

Oct. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose above $90 a barrel to a record in New York the day after a government report showed an unexpected drop in U.S. stockpiles.

"It's not a question of when we'll hit $100 but how quickly,'' said Nauman Barakat, senior vice president of global energy futures at Macquarie Futures USA Inc. in New York. "There are no bearish factors in the market right now.''


Read More>>

FedEx Tries Diesel/Electric Hybrids in Europe

from The Auto Channel:

BRUSSELS, Belgium - October 23, 2007: FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and the world’s largest express transportation company, today announced plans to introduce 10 hybrid-electric/diesel vehicles to its European fleet, bringing the worldwide total of hybrid vehicles in revenue service at FedEx to more than 100 in North America, Asia and, now, Europe.

The vans, manufactured by Iveco, will initially be trialed close to the manufacturer’s site in Turin, Italy, and will be the first hybrid-electric/diesel vehicles operated by FedEx in Europe. FedEx currently operates hybrid vehicles in the U.S., Canada and Japan.

Read More>

Princeton University Tests Biodiesel for CO-Gen

from Princeton Weekly Bulletin:

As part of campus-wide sustainability and carbon dioxide reduction efforts, Princeton's facilities department earlier this fall successfully operated its campus energy plant boilers and gas turbine cogeneration system using soy-based biodiesel.

According to Ted Borer, energy plant manager, the test was the first of its kind in New Jersey for stationary boilers and marked the first time in the world that biodiesel has been used to fuel GE's LM1600 gas turbine, which originally was developed as the engine for the Stealth Fighter and the Navy FA-18. The turbine is used to generate steam for heating and 15 megawatts of electric power for the campus.

Read More>>

Europe diesel supplies to lag demand-Hellenic CEO

from Reuters-UK News Service:
By Ikuko Kao

BRUSSELS, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Diesel supplies will become tighter in Europe in the years to come because of stricter environmental regulations, the Chief Executive Officer of Greece's Hellenic Petroleum SA (HEPr.AT: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday.

Panos E. Cavoulacos said many refinery upgrading projects would lag behind an expected growth in demand for the fuel.

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Inch by Inch, Great Lakes Shrink, and Cargo Carriers Face Losses

from The New York Times:

Water levels in the Great Lakes are falling; Lake Ontario, for example, is about seven inches below where it was a year ago. And for every inch of water that the lakes lose, the ships that ferry bulk materials across them must lighten their loads by 270 tons — or 540,000 pounds — or risk running aground, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association, a trade group for United States-flag cargo companies.

Read More>>

Palm Oil Futures Market Tracks Crude Oil Prices

from Business Times:

Seeing how palm oil and crude oil prices moved in rough lockstep last week, it was abundantly clear that this market is now hostage to crude oil.

Oil soared to an all-time high just above US$90 (US$1 = RM3.36) a barrel last Friday. And it was black gold's price trend that dictated the pace and fluctuations of the local (Kuala Lumpur)CPO market.

Read More>>

Detroit Diesel to Replace Series 60 Engine; Gains Added Efficiency for Commercial Vehicle Market

DD15 will replace the Series 60, MBE-4000

from trucknews.com:
By: James Menzies
REDFORD, Mich. -- Detroit Diesel has unveiled its new heavy-duty engine, the DD15, which the company says will offer improved performance and fuel mileage along with a quieter ride. The new 14.8-litre engine will be available in the Freightliner Cascadia in the second quarter of 2008. It will be complimented by a 12.8- and 15.6-litre version which will ultimately replace the MBE-4000 and Series 60 engines, likely by 2010.

Read More>>

Corn Oil Extraction Planned for Iowa Ethanol Plant

Improves Quality of Distillers Grains While Providing Feedstock for Biodiesel
from DesMoinesRegister.com:
By DONNELLE ELLER
Register Business Writer

VeraSun says it’s interested in taking the corn that flows into an existing 100-million-gallon ethanol plant to create an additional renewable fuel.

VeraSun is weighing whether to spend $30 million at the north Iowa plant to extract corn oil from dried distillers grain — an ethanol byproduct — for use in biodiesel production.

“We can get two fuels out of one kernel of corn — ethanol and biodiesel,” said Keith Bruinsma, VeraSun’s vice president of corporate development. The project received state incentives Thursday.

Read More>>

USDA: Less Corn; More Soy & Wheat in 2008

from Brownfield Network:
Friday, October 19, 2007, 11:03 AM by Peter Shinn

USDA Chief Ag Economist Keith Collins gave a comprehensive update on U.S. agriculture to the House Agriculture Committee Thursday. He predicted less corn and cotton acres next year and big increases in soybean and wheat acres.

"Wheat and soybean prices are, now, much stronger relative to corn than they were a year ago," Collins testified. "And with fertilizer prices at very high levels, we expect many more soybean acres and fewer corn and cotton acres in 2008."

Collins said he sees corn acres falling to 87 million in 2008 from 93 million acres this year. He predicting soybean acres will climb from 64 million this year to 70 million next year.

Read More>>

Farm Bill Negotiations Wrapping Up in Senate

Proposed Energy Title Includes Biodiesel Blending Credit & $0.10/gal Small Producer's Credit
from Farm Energy Online:

Negotiations for the 2007 Farm Bill among Senate Agriculture Committee leaders are wrapping up. The result appears to be preserve many good programs from Chair Tom Harkin's draft Farm Bill...

...The Senate Finance Committee (passed) a number of tax credits for industry, with a modest residential wind tax credit, advanced biofuels credits, a Transmission Pole Payment Exemption and even liquid coal subsidies, scored at a total of $1. 5 billion. The Committee's legislation page with reports is here and here is the summary (PDF).

Read More>>

Diesel Power!: Audi announces TDi initiative for US Auto Market

Joins VW, Mercedes, and BMW in Expanding Diesel Power Options for US Market
from AutoBlog.com:

While Japanese automakers have the hybrid lead, the front-runners in diesel are companies of German descent. Mercedes is bringing home the bacon with BLUETEC, BMW is slapping twin turbochargers onto a 3.0-liter diesel, and Volkswagen will implement BlueMotion into five different VWs. Audi intends to join the oil-burning club here in the States with the introduction of the 3.0 TDI, which is good for 240 HP and 406 lb.-ft. of torque. With all that twist, tires should scream from rubber-stripping takeoffs, but even aggressive driving won't translate at the pump as bad as their gasoline counterparts. Audi expects a 35-percent fuel economy bump vs. similar gasoline powerplants.

Read More>>

Also from AutoBlog.com: BMW to introduce Twin-Turbo Diesel to US Auto Market

UW-Nelson Institute Study Examines Biodiesel Production as Value-Added Opportunity for Developing Countries

from Science Daily:

Researchers Matt Johnston and Tracey Holloway of the Nelson Institute's Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE) ranked 226 countries according to their potential to make large volumes of biodiesel at low cost...

...the researchers say the study's true motivation was to identify developing countries that already export significant amounts of vegetable oil for profit, but may not have considered refining it into biodiesel. By exporting biodiesel - a higher value commodity - these countries could improve their trade balances, says Johnston, or use the fuel to offset their own energy needs.

Read More>>

NBB Report: Federal Legislative Affairs Update

from October issue, Biodiesel Magazine:

The three-legged stool: Promoting the industry's needs
By Manning Feraci, NBB Vice President of Federal Affairs

For a viable U.S. biodiesel industry to thrive, federal policy must provide a framework that is conducive to growth. In Washington, D.C., the NBB’s advocacy team is pushing an agenda that will provide this framework. The agenda is based broadly on three policy proposals—the three legs of our legislative stool—that will provide a solid policy foundation upon which our industry will grow and prosper.

Read More>>

Turmoil, Uncertainty Fuel Record Oil Prices

from The New York Times:
By JAD MOUAWAD
Published: October 17, 2007

The price of oil jumped to yet another record yesterday, sparking predictions that motorists would see sharply higher gasoline prices by Thanksgiving — and fears that $100-a-barrel oil is no longer such a distant prospect...

...Most analysts say the reasons behind the price increases are complex. They include refinery bottlenecks in the United States, a weak dollar, geopolitical threats in the Middle East, the war in Iraq, violence in oil-producing Nigeria, and resource nationalism in Venezuela and Russia that is driving away foreign oil investment.

They also include strong growth in demand from China and the Middle East, where fuel prices are kept artificially low through government subsidies.

Read More>>

US Soybean Exports Reach Record High

from Farms.com:

10/16/2007 -- U.S. soybean farmers have had a record-setting year, thanks in part to their investment in soybean checkoff international marketing programs. Marketing year 2006-2007 ended August 31, 2007, with U.S. soybean exports totaling 1.11 billion bushels.

China retains its title from last year as the number one importer of U.S. soybeans, importing 420 million bushels during this past marketing year. This is up from just over 356 million bushels in the 2005-2006 marketing year. Mexico came in as the second-largest customer for U.S. soybean farmers, importing 141 million bushels, followed by Japan, which imported 116 million bushels.

Read More>>

Xcel Energy to Use Soy Oil in Transformers

from (Mpls/St. Paul) Business Journal:

Xcel Energy Inc. said Tuesday that it would use renewable soy oil in new transformers beginning next year.

The Minneapolis-based utility ( NYSE: XEL) currently uses petroleum-based mineral oil. It said that it would be the first large utility in the nation to use soy-based transformers.

The soy oil will be used in all new single-phase pole- and pad-mounted transformers for residential and some light commercial applications.

Read More>>

Mercedes BLUETEC Diesel Clears California Emissions Requirement

From mobile magazine:

California is known for having some of the most stringent emissions regulations in the world, making it difficult for companies to bring their diesel-powered vehicles into the Sunshine State. After some serious tweaking, Mercedes-Benz has announced that the Mercedes E320 BLUETEC sedan has met California's strict standards, making it the first diesel to be sold there.

Read More>>

Cessna to Offer Diesel-Powered 172 Next Year

from Aviation Week:

Cessna Aircraft signed an agreement with German diesel engine manufacturer Thielert Aircraft Co. under which the Wichita, Kan. aircraft manufacturer will begin offering diesel-powered Skyhawk 172S airplanes in the middle of 2008.

Read More>>

Tensions in Turkey lift price of oil in early trading

from the BBC:

Global oil prices have surged to fresh record highs after increased tensions between Turkey and Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq. Oil traders fear that exports from northern Iraq could be hit.

In morning trade in Europe, both Brent and US light crude hit new peak levels, with Brent touching $81.93 a barrel and US light reaching $85.19.

Read More>>

Magellan Introduces Biodiesel Blending and Distribution at Clear Lake (IA) Terminal

from Mason City, IA globegazette.com:

Infrastructure improvements made at the Magellan fuel terminal at Clear Lake provide the first fully incorporated biodiesel blending system located inside a petroleum terminal in Iowa.

Don Wellendorf of Tulsa, Okla., president and chief executive officer of Magellan Midstream Partners, said the biodiesel blending system provides “critical infrastructure in the local, state and regional economy.” He said Magellan owns the longest refined products pipeline system in the U.S. as well as 81 petroleum distribution terminals in 22 states, including the one in Clear Lake. Magellan owns seven other terminals in Iowa — in Milford, Des Moines, Waterloo, Fort Dodge, Dubuque, Iowa City and Sioux City.

“The majority of diesel fuel distributed in Iowa flows through Magellan’s system,” he said.

Of particular interest to the WBA legislative effort is the statement by Wellendorf that the Clear Lake terminal plays an important role in meeting customer demand and renewable fuel policies passed in Iowa and Minnesota. As Wisconsin moves toward approval of the state budget, the proposed biodiesel infrastructure tax credits deserve inclusion to advance distribution of biodiesel within our own state supply network.

Read More>>

"We Can't Wait for Politicians to Embrace Clean Energy"

from AlterNet:

"Politicians in Washington are years away from embracing a massive investment in clean energy. We must start an energy revolution ourselves."

In this editorial, Kelpie Wilson looks at the political landscape that confronts attempts to create a Renewable Energy Standard.

Read More>>

Diesel Powered Cars Make a Resurgence in US Market

from PalmBeachPost.com:

With rising gas prices, automakers believe Americans are ready to embrace the improved fuel economy and lower emissions offered by modern diesels.

"The buying public understands that diesel engines and fuels are a lot cleaner than they were in the '70s," said Lou Ann Hammond, CEO of Carlist.com, an automotive information service. "When people realize that diesel engines get at least 25 percent better fuel economy than regular gasoline engines, they'll be even more interested."

With some smaller vehicles with diesel engines, the improved fuel economy makes them compare favorably with gas-electric hybrid vehicles. As a result, sales of diesel passenger vehicles are forecast to rise dramatically, as are sales of hybrids, in the near future.

Read More>>

Iowa Project Uses Catalysts and Biodiesel for Cleaner School Bus Emissions

From THonline.com:

"With a $250,000 EPA grant awarded in September 2004, the (Clean School Bus) program was able to provide 335 diesel oxidation catalysts that were installed in buses at 70 Iowa school districts and supported the purchase of biodiesel in three school districts..."

"... The 2006 School Bus Pollution Report Card put out by the Union of Concerned Scientists gave, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin each a "C" for their soot pollution grade. Wisconsin and Illinois each received an "average" rank for their cleanup programs and smog pollution, but Iowa received "above average" marks."

"... Russ Stratton, owner of Stratton Bus Co., which holds the contract for busing in the Cuba City (Wis.) School District, said he is not aware of any similar programs in Wisconsin, but he would be interested in learning more about biodiesel and its long-term effects.
'We're in the dark right now,' he said. 'We don't know enough about it.'"

Read the complete article here>>

Who Will Lead Clean Energy Crusade?"

Editorial from Des Moines Register.com:

"The world needs a clean, sustainable successor to petroleum to fuel its growing economies. And America needs a cause that can reunite a nation torn by war and disillusioned by a polarized government that no longer does big things."

Read More>>

Jet flies on 100% biodiesel

From GreenFlight International:

On October 2, 2007 Green Flight International successfully completed the worlds first jet aircraft flight powered by 100% biofuel.

Read More>>

AZ Dairy expands to include biodiesel production in its "integrated biorefinery complex."

From Biodiesel Magazine:

XL Dairy Group Inc. is currently expanding its 2,500-head dairy operation to 7,500 dairy cattle in Vicksburg, Ariz., the first step in developing its integrated biorefinery complex. Biomethane from anaerobic digestion will produce 11 megawatts of power while providing enough process heat and steam to make 54 MMgy of ethanol and 5 MMgy of biodiesel. Start-up is targeted for the first quarter of 2009, after which the company plans to incorporate algae into its feedstock stream, which would boost biodiesel capacity six-fold to 30 MMgy.

ADM opens Canola based biodiesel plant in SD

From Feedstuffs: The Weekly Newspaper for Agribusiness -

Archer Daniels Midland Co. celebrated the official opening of its first wholly owned canola biodiesel plant in the U.S. The facility in Velva, N.D., U.S. will produce 85 million gallons of biodiesel per year and will use canola oil as its primary feedstock. ADM first announced plans for the facility in October 2005. It will use the equivalent of 100% of the state's top 10 canola-producing counties or about 600,000 acres.

From Biodiesel Magazine:

North Dakota officials helped Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) officially mark the opening of the company’s first wholly owned biodiesel production facility in the United States at Velva Oct. 10. The 85 MMgy biodiesel plant, located next to ADM’s existing canola seed crushing facility, was completed on time and within budget, starting operations shortly before the ribbon cutting ceremony. Construction on the Velva biodiesel facility began April 26, 2006. It will use approximately 750,000 metric tons of canola oil each year, the production from about 1 million acres of canola crops.

Read More>>

Benefuel bringing solid catalyst biodiesel to market

From Cleantech.com:

The company says its novel process can take in animal fats and produces pure glycerin as a byproduct.

Read More>>

Rep. Davis introduces Bill to declare Evansville "Soybean Capital of Wisconsin"

Read Assembly Joint Resolution 71 here>>

Colder Winter; Higher Heating Costs Predicted

From the Associated Press:

"NEW YORK (AP) — Almost all Americans will pay a lot more to heat their homes this winter, even though temperatures are expected to be warmer than average. That's the sobering message from an Energy Department report Tuesday that estimates heating oil costs are likely to jump 22 percent and natural gas bills, on average, will rise 10 percent between October and March.

"And while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast a milder than average winter in most parts of the country, the agency also predicted Tuesday that temperatures will be 1.3 percent colder than last year."

Read More>>

Gov. Doyle Announces Midwest Summit on Energy Independence

Midwest Governors to meet in Milwaukee November 14-15; Renewable Energy and Climate Stewardship on the Agenda

MILWAUKEE – Governor Jim Doyle, chair of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA), today announced Milwaukee will host the Midwestern Governors Association Energy Security and Climate Change Summit on November 14-15, 2007. At the Summit, Governors from across the Midwest will pursue new regional initiatives to increase production and use of renewable energy, promote energy efficiency, and ensure a reliable electrical grid.

“The United States should depend less on the Mideast and more on the Midwest for its energy needs,” Governor Doyle said. “Wisconsin and the entire Midwest have the opportunity to lead the nation in the fight against global warming. We look forward to welcoming Governors and delegates from across the Midwest to take the next steps to achieve energy independence.”

The Summit will be co-hosted by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, immediate past chair of the MGA and current chair of the National Governors Association. To register or for more information visit the MGA website .

Read More>>

Midwest Ag Energy Network Conference set for February in Madison

The Second Annual Conference of the Midwest Ag Energy Network is scheduled for February 5-6 at Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison.

Last year's event in St. Paul was well-attended by representatives of renewable energy agencies from state and federal government along with an impressive group of industry stakeholders from throughout the Midwest. US Secretary of Ag Colin Peterson addressed the group to discuss the pending Farm Bill. Meanwhile, an effective series of breakout sessions explored the creation of state and federal policies in support of biofuels and other renewable energy. A recap of last year's conference can be accessed here.

This conference in Madison should provide terrific opportunity to learn what's on the horizon for the further development of our country's renewable energy industry. WBA encourages you to make arrangements now to attend.

Read More>>

Triple Digit Crude Oil Prices Predicted for Long-Term

from Forbes.com:

Jeffrey Rubin, chief economist of Canadian investment bank CIBC World Markets, said Tuesday
that "rising demand within oil-rich nations such as Mexico, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia will put pressure on global oil prices in the coming years. That, combined with the increased cost of pulling petroleum from reserves deep under the sea or wringing it out of oil sands in Canada, will keep oil prices high even if demand in the Western world remains constant."

"Triple digit prices is not a spike," he said. "Triple digit oil prices is what is going to be required to maintain, let alone grow, world oil supplies."

Read More>>

WI Governor Doyle declares October "Energy Awareness Month"

From the Office of the Governor (Press Release):

“Wisconsin has the potential to lead the country to energy independence,” Governor Doyle said. “From our farms and fields, to our strong advanced manufacturing sector, to the research and innovation at our businesses and universities, Wisconsin is poised to turn these resources into a powerful new industry and high-paying jobs, and lead the way on energy independence.”

Read More>>

Sweden Aims for Oil Free Economy by 2020

From the BBC:

Sweden says it aims to completely wean itself off oil within 15 years - without building new nuclear plants.

"The country aims to replace all fossil fuels with renewables before climate change damages economies and growing oil scarcity leads to price rises."

Read More>>

Discovering New Uses for Glycerin

From BIODIESEL Magazine:

"Biodiesel Magazine catches up with a few of the researchers investigating innovative chemical and biological processes for the conversion of glycerin into value-added products including antifreeze agents, hydrogen, fortified milk and ethanol."

Read More>>

Glycerin Developed as Alternative to Corn Grain for Animal Feed Supplement

From Science Daily:

"As corn grain ethanol production and conversion soar, corn grain supplies for livestock feed are decreasing. Using crude glycerin to supplement feed supplies could provide livestock producers with a readily available, inexpensive and energy- packed alternative to corn grain."

Read More>>

New Survey Shows Americans Perceive Global Warming to be an "Urgent Threat"

From Science Daily:

"A growing number of Americans consider global warming an important threat that calls for drastic action, and 40% say that a presidential candidate's position on the issue will strongly influence how they vote, according to a national survey conducted by Yale University, Gallup and the ClearVision Institute."

Read More>>

International Diesel Engine Market for Passenger Vehicles is Expanding

From The Hindu:

"With the help of modern diesel common rail and turbocharging technologies, diesel cars now deliver better fuel economy and lower emissions while providing superior driveability."

Read More>>

Lamborghini "100% Biodiesel compatible"

From Farm Online:

Ok. Maybe it isn't quite what you envisioned as you read "Lamborghini" in the headline. It's nevertheless newsworthy to note that the latest line of farm tractors sold by the famous automotive manufacturer are certified "100% Biodiesel Compatible" in the Australian market.

Can a Biodiesel-powered Murcielago be far behind?

Read More>>

Wisconsin Biodiesel Report: "Running on Fumes" Documentary

Wisconsin Biodiesel Report: "Running on Fumes" Documentary

Rep. Dingell of Michigan Proposes Tax on Carbon Emissions & Gasoline

From Land Line Magazine:

Democratic U.S. Rep. John Dingell has come up with a surprising proposal – considering he’s from the car-making state of Michigan.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Dingell is proposing to fight global warming by putting a 50-cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline and a $50-per-ton tax on carbon emissions, most of which would be charged to utility companies.

Under his plan, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel would not be taxed, and neither would biodiesel.

Read More>>

Motley Fool: CleanTech might be "Biggest Economic Opportunity of This Century"

From The Motley Fool:

Venture capitalists are people, just like you and me. They put their pants on one leg at a time, and they're prone to making investing mistakes just like the rest of us. That said, it's hard to deny that some VCs are clearly better than others. John Doerr is one of Silicon Valley's more successful and higher-profile VCs, with big wins including early investments in Symantec, Amazon.com, and more recently, Google.

This success, I believe, gives his words some weight. So when he says, as he did in November, that global warming is real and that "cleantech" is "the biggest economic opportunity of this century," my ears -- and yours -- should perk up.

read More>>

Congressional Dems Ready to Move Energy Bill

From CNN Money.com:

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- While U.S. Democratic congressional leaders said this week they plan to start the reconciliation process between House and Senate energy bills later in the week, they're also prepared to push an energy bill through the chambers without the normal legislative procedure.

The Senate and House earlier this year passed two different energy bills that Democratic leadership hoped to meld together in a conference committee.

But instead, Democrats could craft a single "leadership bill" that has all the elements of both bills - avoiding a conference committee - and introduce that piece of legislation into both chambers for votes.

Read More>>

Gasoline Prices Lower; Diesel, Heating Oil Prices Rise

From the EIA This Week in Petroleum report:

Retail diesel prices advanced for the fifth consecutive week, settling at 304.8 cents per gallon. The price is 1.6 cents more than last week and 50.2 cents per gallon higher than last year. All regions of the country recorded an increase in price. The largest rise occurred in the Rocky Mountains where the price jumped 7.2 cents to 310.0 cents per gallon, the highest in the country. The East Coast increased 1.5 cents to 305.2 cents per gallon. The Midwest price rose 0.7 cent to 306.1 cents per gallon. The Gulf Coast was the only region below the $3 mark, settling at 297.5 cents per gallon. The West Coast price grew to 309.0 cents per gallon, gaining 3.6 cents. California prices were up 5.0 cents to 314.3 cents per gallon.

WI Farmer's Urged to Contact Legislators for Biodiesel Initiatives in State Budget

From the Wisconsin Ag Connection:

This week the Wisconsin Soybean Association and Wisconsin Biodiesel Association have issued a call for action to its members and constituents, encouraging them to contact lawmakers on the budget conference committee and encourage them to support various provisions that will boost biodiesel initiatives.

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Chrysler Plans for Diesel in US Market

From the New York Times:

“Chrysler is currently evaluating a 4-cylinder diesel for North America, not necessarily just for Journey, but other products as well,” according to Nick Cappa, spokesperson for Chrysler Advanced Technology, remaining vague as to whether Chrysler will work out a deal with Volkswagen or another manufacturer, or develop a diesel engine on its own.

Welcome to the News Page for the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association!

With this addition to our outreach effort, the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association will keep you updated on all news affecting Wisconsin's biodiesel industry.

Please check back here frequently to access all the news!