By Ronnie Miller/Tribune file photo Thousands of Ames passengers ride around town in diesel-powered buses operated by CyRide and the Ames Community School District. There is a debate over whether they should run on a minimum of 5 percent Iowa-produced biodiesel fuel. CyRide Director Sheri Kyras said buses in the Ames fleet have run successfully with up to 20 percent biodiesel.
A move to require 5 percent biodiesel fuel sales in Iowa may or may not pass the Legislature this session. But B-5 isn’t the only question facing the biodiesel industry. According to Mid-Iowa sources, the discussion also includes questions about federal policy, industry regulations and the changes that may need to be made if Iowa is to grow its own fuel-based industry. The debate can get contentious, according to State Rep. Donovan Olson, D-Boone. Olson said there was testimony early this week before the House Transportation Committee about a study done by Iowa Central Community College with vehicles owned by Fort Dodge-based Decker Trucking. The college tested biodiesel fuel efficiency versus “control trucks” that used standard fuel. “Decker’s representatives felt that the people doing the testing were in favor of a B-5 mandate,” Olson said. The resulting testimony was angry, he said.
Photo from: http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/finance/biodiesel-driving-soy-growth/1518568.aspx
To say Rob Joslin is disappointed at the lapse in the Biodiesel Tax Credit is an understatement.
"I feel like a bride left at the altar on this," explains Joslin, American Soybean Association president.
U.S. soybean producers are feeling his pain. During today's press conference at the Commodity Classic in Anaheim, Calif., ASA noted that the soy biodiesel industry is worth about $825 million of a $3.3 billion soybean industry. To put it in very real terms, Joslin says it's costing him about $600,000 on his 500 acres of soybeans in Sidney, Ohio.
The biodiesel industry is suffering to the tune of approximately 23,000 workers. Until a bill makes it through Congress, Joslin expects most of the large soy biodiesel plants will remain idled.
Photo from: http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/february2008/biodiesel-release
MEADVILLE, Pa.—A northwestern Pennsylvania city is collecting discarded cooking oil from Allegheny College for use in its vehicles.
An Allegheny College study found a couple years ago that about 60 local restaurants produced about 12,000 gallons of wasted cooking oil each year, enough to produce al the diesel fuel the city uses in its vehicles annually.
On Wednesday, the city began collecting used frying oil from the college, which is in Meadville, about 90 miles north of Pittsburgh. The city has already been collecting about 300 gallons a month from local restaurants.
City officials say it costs them about $1 less per gallon to produce biodiesel than it does to buy refined diesel fuel.
Photo from: http://sites.google.com/site/clintslaughter/homebiodieselproduction2
Start date: March 11, 2010
End date: March 11, 2010
Cost: $150
Location: USA, Hopland, CA
Website: Visit event website
Learn Advanced technique and process of Biodiesel production at the Solar Living Institute.
Manufactured biodiesel processors can cost anywhere from $1500 to $7000. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to build your own, small-scale (~40 gallon) biodiesel processor from start to finish using materials that cost less than $700!
The first five students who sign up will have the option to bring their materials to build a processor in class (contact us for more details). Or, if you prefer, learn by assisting someone else.
You’ll learn how to use and maintain a processor and test out a new processor by making a fresh batch of biodiesel fuel.