Pictured above is the newly opened Ever Cat Fuels, LLC biodiesel facility in Isanti, Minn.
The Minnesota plant will generate three million gallons of fuel a year, and is a “full-scale replica” of an actual plant, said Dave Wendorf, the director of marketing for Ever Cat. Company officials are calling the facility a “demonstration plant,” to provide an example for investors and government personnel.
Wendorf said the company plans to build another facility that will generate 33 million gallons a year. Ever Cat Fuels uses a new process to produce biodiesel fuel. The process involves a heterogeneous metal oxide-based catalyst reactor that converts feedstock plant oils and animal fats to biodiesel, according to the company’s Web site.
Looks like a nice facility, but this is only a demonstration plant for larger ones to come in the future. We are seeing some leadership from my home state of MN, which does not surprise me, as it is the home of many high-tech companies.
Photo from: http://cdn-www.greencar.com/images/highMPG/2005-VW-Passat-TDI-Exterior.jpg
This past summer, the last two Westside gas stations offering 99 percent pure biodiesel closed down their pumps.
You can still buy regular gasoline at those stations, but the Great Green Hope of the Millenium, a powerful fuel made from sustainable organic matter, is nowhere to be found.
Well, not quite.
I drive a 2005 Volkswagen Passat TDI, a car whose diesel engine will gladly accept petroleum-based diesel or biodiesel. I only use biodiesel, because it’s better for the environment, and because I believe that Jews who oppose Arab terrorism and Iranian nukes but drive gas-guzzlers are, in a word, hypocrites.
Until this summer, I bought my biodiesel at regular gas stations, but not anymore. Now I drive to a narrow West L.A. alley. I pull up, turn off my engine and use a special key to open a secret wooden shed. Then, I siphon off some pure homemade biodiesel from what looks like a 200-gallon plastic milk jug inside. It’s the handiwork of an underground cooperative, operating in contravention of all sorts of federal and state laws prohibiting the unregulated manufacture and sale of biodiesel.
Fascinating personal story of a man who really should join BDN. I am sure you will enjoy reading about his search for pure biodiesel—he finds it harder to obtain than medical marijuana! A great read for all members.
Logo from: http://www.ugesllc.com/
Chicago-based Ultra Green Energy Services LLC announced the addition of two terminals to its expanding New York network. “Our long term customers have joined with UGES to exclusively store, blend, and sell Ultra Green Biodiesel at their terminals,” said Michael Cooper, vice president and director of sales and trading. “We welcome Burt's Reliable in Southold, N.Y., owned and operated by John Romanelli; and Westmore Fuel located in Port Chester, N.Y., owned and operated by Dick Bologna.” The additional terminals expand Ultra Green’s biodiesel network from the tip of Long Island to Westchester County and the Connecticut border. As a biodiesel marketer for 10 years, Cooper added, “Our positioning is based on a huge investment in time, effort and money. And we are going to leverage this success all the way to the finish line.” Since 2007 Ultra Green has blended its branded Ultra Green Biodiesel at the only rail-to-rack terminal in New Hyde Park Fuel Terminal, owned and operated by Hart Petroleum.
This looks like a strong industrial biodiesel leader in the New York area, and I would not be surprised to hear more about them as time goes on. Ever been to New York? They could strive for cleaner air, as could we all.
Two more Iowa schools will be the benefactors of Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) grants aimed at educating communities about biodiesel and incorporating biodiesel and renewable fuels into school programming.
The latest $2,500 Biodiesel Backer Awards will be awarded in December and follow this past summer’s awarding of three grants:
IRFA has created the Biodiesel Backer Toolkit to help schools in this endeavor. The toolkit includes a variety of informational materials as well as communication tools that will assist schools in teaching their communities about biodiesel. These resources include fact sheets, brochures, curriculum, PowerPoint presentations, and a public service announcement. The Biodiesel Backer Award Application is also located in the Biodiesel Backer Toolkit, which can be found online at www.iowarfa.org/educators.php.
The younger generation needs to know all about biodiesel fuel, because will start to see oil prices rise to the point of wrecking their lives. Do you know what kind of soil they have in Iowa? They say it goes clear to Hades. The glaciers pushed all the good soil from Minnesota onto Iowa, it is sometimes said. Oh, the corn and soy grows like crazy. Let’s make sure the schools get the message about biodiesel.