LSU will be putting on one-day workshops in its AgCenter. Get there early because it’s standing room only and last time got filled quick. Dates are July 29-31.

Advanced biodiesel workshops will be held in the fall.

It will take at least $800 in equipment to make batches of 25 to 30 gallons of biodiesel. The fuel is made in those larger quantities, generally in about 48 hours.

A gallon of biodiesel can be produced from a gallon of used vegetable oil, and the hardest part might be finding a restaurant willing to provide its old oil.

Rising from the ashes of it first attempt, Earthrace has smashed the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by speedboat. The biodiesel-powered trimaran sailed into the Spanish port of Sagunto yesterday, just shy of 61 days since it set off. That took 14 days off the previous world record. Earthrace traveled the 24,000 nautical miles fueled by biodiesel to demonstrate the efficiency of alternative fuel sources.
(more…)

From the National Biodiesel Board

WASHINGTON, D.C.– President Bush yesterday at the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) called biodiesel the most promising renewable fuel for helping to meet renewable fuels standards. Today, the WIREC conference wraps up its four-day sessions that began Monday, March 3. Here are a few of the ways biodiesel was highlighted.

“The legislation requires fuel producers to supply at least 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel in the year 2022,” said Pres. Bush. “In other words, these just aren’t goals, these are mandatory requirements. I’m confident the United States can meet those goals, and I know we must, for the sake of economic security, national security, and for the sake of being good stewards of the environment. Biodiesel is the most promising of these fuels. Biodiesel refineries can produce fuel from soybeans, and vegetable oils, and recycled cooking grease, from waste materials. All you out there with waste, you may be in business before you know it as this new technology kicks in. Most Americans — or, more Americans — are beginning to realize the benefits of biodiesel every year.

5. The cost to turn a car into a Flex-Fuel or E-85 (85% Ethanol and 15% Gasoline) car is only about $200 for a manufacturer. E-85 is a bit more corrosive to some of the standard rubber and metal parts, but still the cheapest way to go “green”. The problem is ethanol contains slightly less energy than gasoline(whereas diesel has slightly more than gas) and so you need about 20%-30% more fuel running through your injectors for the vehicle to run on E-85 . If you try and run E-85 in a vehicle not designed to run E-85 you’ll see your Check Engine light come on in all its glory. Your car’s computer is telling you that the vehicle is running lean (meaning not enough fuel). I thought being “green” was all about being efficient? Ethanol is obviously not the most efficient way to go. Although I think biodiesel is up to the task.

From afp.com

PARK CITY, Utah (AFP) — Activist Josh Tickell has been using and promoting bio-diesel for about 10 years as an alternative to fossil fuels, helping America lessen its dependence on foreign oil.

In his documentary film “Fields of Fuel,” premiering at the Sundance Film Festival this week, he outlines the historical origins of and the political constructs that support petroleum use.

As well, he presents the benefits of bio-diesel, how it can be grown locally anywhere in the world to shift multi-national energy companies’ clout to local communities, mustering applause from audiences here.

But not everyone is buying into his message.

PARADE magazine and the Network for Good are co-sponsoring a contest that could help the Biodiesel Foundation win $50,000 for biodiesel education efforts. The eight organizations that either raise the most money or have the greatest number of donors will receive $50,000.

Time is of the essence, and the National Biodiesel Foundation (a 501-C3 organization) needs your help today. Please consider giving a tax-deductible gift of at least $10 to the Foundation by Jan. 31st. If the Foundation can get 1000 people to donate $10, it will be in a good position to win.

Please donate to the National Biodiesel Foundation by January 31, 3:00 PM EST. Donate here and follow the steps as directed.

With another record-breaking number of leaders in the biodiesel industry at the 2007 meeting, you won’t want to miss the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference Feb. 3-6. Registration is up and running, and there’s still time to catch the Early Bird registration rate for this Orlando event.

Significant Early Bird discounts will apply to registrations received on or before Nov. 16. Pre-registration ends Jan. 25, after which attendees must register on-site at a higher rate.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.– Today the list of elite companies who have attained the highest level of quality certifications in both producing and marketing biodiesel grew to three. Renewable Energy Group®, Inc. (REG®), earned the status of “BQ-9000 Certified Marketer” from the National Biodiesel Accreditation Committee (NBAC). The NBAC oversees the BQ-9000 program, which is a quality assurance program for the production (Accredited Producer) and marketing (Certified Marketer) of biodiesel.

The voluntary program couples universally accepted quality management systems with the biodiesel product specification ASTM D-6751. The program covers storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution and fuel management practices to help ensure quality biodiesel throughout the supply chain.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.– The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) today joined Imperium Renewables in officially opening the company’s second facility and ushering it into a growing biodiesel industry. The new Imperium plant, near Grays Harbor, Wash., has an annual capacity of 100 million gallons. That makes it the largest biodiesel plant currently operating in the nation.

“The opening of this plant is a valuable addition to America’s biodiesel industry,” said Manning Feraci, NBB vice president of federal affairs, who attended today’s grand opening. “The U.S. biodiesel industry is committed to enhancing America’s energy independence by replacing foreign oil with environmentally friendly, domestically produced renewable fuels. Imperium’s plant will further our industry’s objectives in this regard, and will add valuable refining capacity to our nation’s fuel supply.”

(more…)