Alternative Transportation Fuels Today articles from March 2005

Alternative Transportation Fuels Today archives from March 2005

Voyager Ethanol Begins Production at New Iowa Plant.(Voyager Ethanol, LLC)
March 1, 2005... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently announced that Voyager Ethanol, LLC has begun production at its 50-million-gallon ethanol plant near Emmetsburg, IA. "The RFA congratulates Voyager Ethanol as it begins its journey toward full...

China to Invest in Brazilian Ethanol Plant Construction.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Brazilian news service Agencia Estado recently reported that Brazil-China Chamber of Commerce president Charles Tang has revealed China plans to invest in the construction of a new Brazilian ethanol plant for importation purposes. ...

Indian Bank Offers Loans for CNG Retrofit Kits.(compressed natural gas)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Financial Express recently reported that India's Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched a new "innovation" program that offers loans of up to 25,000 rupees (approximately $573) to help customers purchase compressed natural gas (CNG) kits for...

South Dakota Reconsiders Biodiesel Fuel Tax Reduction.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the South Dakota House of Representatives has passed a revised version of bill SB214, which includes a reduction in the tax on biodiesel fuel sold at fueling stations from 22 to 20 cents per...

Blue Sun Supplies Biodiesel to Denver School Bus Fleet.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... Blue Sun Biodiesel recently announced that the Denver Public School (DPS) district -- operator of the largest school bus fleet in Colorado -- has begun fueling 50 of its school buses with Blue Sun's biodiesel fuel as part of the Environmental...

WI Ethanol Coalition Launches Legislative Alert Campaign.(Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2005... The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF) recently announced that a coalition of farm organizations and ethanol producers has launched a campaign supporting legislation that would expand the use of ethanol in gas throughout the state. ...

Apollo Resources Purchases 50-percent Stock in Earth Biofuels.(Apollo Resources International, Inc)(Earth Biofuels, Inc)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2005... Apollo Resources International, Inc. recently announced it has completed a stock purchase agreement with Earth Biofuels, Inc. under which Apollo Resources has purchased 50 percent of Earth Biofuels' stock. "There are now several factors...

FAB to Open New Alternative Fuel Facility in Southern CA.(FAB Industries Inc)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2005... FAB Industries recently announced plans to establish a new alternative fuel service and support facility in Southern California. According to FAB, the move is intended to capitalize on the high demand in the region for alternative fuel...

Apollo Resources Appoints VP of Alternative Fuels Subsidiary.(Powerball Alternative Fuels Company, LLC appointments)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2005... Energy company Apollo Resources International, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Earth Biofuels, Inc. CEO Tommy Johnson as the new vice president of its subsidiary Powerball Alternative Fuels Company, LLC. According to Apollo...

Westport Awarded NRC Funding for Technology Development.(National Research Council of Canada)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2005... Vancouver, British Columbia-based Westport Innovations, Inc. recently announced it has been granted $567,000 in funding from the National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to offset costs related...

DOE Offers Funding for SEP Special Projects.(Department of Energy)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2005... The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) recently reported that the Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the availability of funding for State Energy Programs (SEP) Special Projects through its Clean Cities initiative. According...

Weekly Update.(Calendar)
March 4, 2005... GLOBAL ALTERNATIVE FUELS 2005 EXHIBITION AND FORUM, March 8-10, 2005, Marriott Hotel, Berlin, Germany HART WORLD FUELS CONFERENCE: REFINING AND AUTOMOTIVE HORIZONS -- GLOBAL ENERGY POLICY EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION?, March 9-11, 2005,...

Rentech Subsidiary to Purchase Royster-Clark Nitrogen.(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Denver, CO-based Rentech, Inc., the developer and licensor of a patented and proprietary Fischer-Tropsch gas-to-liquids process, recently announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Rentech Development Corporation (RDC) and Royster Clark, Inc....

Illinois DCEC Awards $1 Million Grant to NCERC.(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEC) recently announced nearly $1 million in opportunity returns funding for upgrades at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at the Southern Illinois University...

Chattanooga Converts Diesel Fleet to Biodiesel.(East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition)(East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... The East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition (ETCFC) recently announced that the city of Chattanooga, TN has begun using B5, a blend of five percent biodiesel and 95 percent standard petroleum diesel, in all of its 385 diesel fleet vehicles. ...

South Dakota Senate Opposes Biodiesel Tax Reduction.(tax on biodiesel fuel blends)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the South Dakota Senate has voted 19 to 14 against proposed legislation that would have reduced the tax on biodiesel fuel blends from 22 to 20 cents per gallon until 2010. According to AP,...

Indy Racing League to Convert to Ethanol in 2006.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently announced that the Indy Racing League (IRL) has revealed that beginning in 2006, it will add ethanol to the fuel used for its IndyCar series, which includes the Indianapolis 500. "It only...

EC Official Says EU to Fall Short of 2005 Biofuels Goal.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Reuters recently reported that European Commission (EC) energy and transport unit official Paul Hodson revealed last week during Agra Europe's Outlook 2005 conference in London, England that the European Union (EU) will not meet its target of...

CME to Begin Trading of Ethanol Futures Contracts.(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) recently announced plans to list ethanol futures contracts, beginning March 29, on the CME Globex electronic platform. According to CME, energy trading company Sempra Commodities will serve as the...

Palm Springs to Host Clean Cities Conference & Expo.(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... Guiding Transitions, the 11th Annual Clean Cities Conference & Exposition, will be held May 1 through 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, CA. On Sunday, May 1, a morning session will address "How to Become an...

Senator Lugar Joins Ethanol Across America Advisory Committee.(Ethanol Across America)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... Ethanol Across America (EAA), an education and outreach campaign sponsored by the Clean Fuels Foundation, recently announced the addition of U.S. Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) to its advisory committee. According to EAA, Lugar, who was the...

North West Terminal Applies for Federal Ethanol Grant.(Brief Article)
March 10, 2005... The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) recently reported that North West Terminal, Ltd. has applied for an $8-million federal Ethanol Expansion Program loan to help finance the construction of a new 150-million-liter, $74-million ethanol...

John Deere Commences Biodiesel Blend Factory-filling.(Deere & Co.)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2005... The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently announced that agriculture equipment manufacturer John Deere has begun factory-filling its diesel-powered machines with B2, a fuel blend of two percent biodiesel and 98 percent standard petroleum...

Indonesian, Indian Officials Agree on Collaborative CNG Efforts.(compressed natural gas)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2005... The Jakarta Post recently reported that India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has revealed that ministers from India and Indonesia reached agreement last week during a joint commission meeting in New Delhi to improve collaboration on...

Wisconsin County Opposes Proposed State Ethanol Mandate.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2005... Local Wisconsin newspaper the Journal Sentinel recently reported that the Waukesha County Board has voted to oppose proposed state legislation that would implement a 10- percent ethanol mandate for all gasoline sold in the state. According...

Rentech Announces Sale of Wholly Owned Subsidiary.(OKON, Inc)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2005... Denver, CO-based Rentech, Inc., a developer and licensor of a patented and proprietary Fischer-Tropsch gas-to-liquids process, recently announced it has finalized an agreement for the sale of 100 percent of the outstanding capital stock of its...

IA Group Seeks to Obtain Financing for Biodiesel Plant.(Western Iowa Energy, LLC)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2005... The Des Moines Register reported last week that Western Iowa Energy, LLC has begun work to obtain $20 million in investments to build a new plant in Wall Lake, IA that will use soybean oil, vegetable oil and animal fat to produce biodiesel. ...

Weekly Update.(Calendar)
March 11, 2005... 2005 SOUTHERN BIO-PRODUCTS CONFERENCE, March 22-23, 2005, Holiday Inn-Jackson North, Jackson, MS CENTRAL BIOFUELS CONFERENCE & EXPO, March 29-31, 2005, Real InterContinental Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica 2ND ANNUAL WORLD CONGRESS ON...

WI Committee Votes to Support Ethanol Fuel Mandate.(Wisconsin Assembly Agriculture Committee)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation recently announced that the state Assembly Agriculture Committee has voted 12 to two in favor of bill AB15, which would implement a 10-percent ethanol mandate for all 87-octane gas sold in the state. ...

Idaho Biorefinery Looks to Purchase Straw for Ethanol Plant.(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Local Idaho newspaper the Times-News recently reported that Ottawa, Ontario-based Iogen Corporation's subsidiary Idaho Biorefinery Corporation is looking to purchase high-quality straw from local farmers for processing at its proposed ethanol...

London to Host Clean Energy Technology & Investment Show.(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... The Clean Energy Technology & Investment Show will be held May 5 through 7 at The Business Design Center in London, England. While leading automakers will exhibit their new technologies during the event, a Clean Energy conference will also...

Front Range Seeks Bank Loan for Ethanol Plant Construction.(Front Range Energy)(Brief Article)
March 15, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Front Range Energy is seeking a bank loan to help finance the construction of its proposed $54-million ethanol plant in Windsor, CO. According to AP, the plant is expected to produce...

Quantum Reports Third-quarter Financial Results.(Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 15, 2005... Irvine, CA-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., a leading designer, manufacturer and integrator of packaged fuel systems and accessories for specialty vehicles and applications including fuel cells, hybrids and alternative...

Northeast Biodiesel Appoints New President, CEO.(Rex D'Agostino)(Brief Article)
March 15, 2005... Northeast Biodiesel Company (NBC) recently announced the appointment of Rex D'Agostino as its new president and CEO. According to NBC, D'Agostino will provide strategic direction and oversee all company operations aimed at building the...

Indian Reservation Considers Development of New Ethanol Plant.(Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... Local Montana newspaper the Havre Daily News recently reported that a feasibility study is currently underway on the development of a new 40-million-gallon-per-year ethanol production plant at the state's Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. ...

GSRTC Introduces New Biodiesel Bus Service in India.(Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... India's Business Standard recently reported that the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has introduced four new biodiesel-powered buses that will provide transportation services between the cities of Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. ...

U.S. Navy to Use B20 Fuel in all Non-tactical Diesel Vehicles.(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently announced that U.S. Department of the Navy principal deputy assistant secretary of installations and environment Wayne Arny has issued a memorandum which establishes a new policy that all non-tactical...

Energem Reports on Ethanol Production, Sales at Kisumu Plant.(Energem Resources Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 17, 2005... Energem Resources, Inc. recently announced that its majority-owned Kisumu ethanol plant in Kenya has produced 769,000 liters so far this year, with sales efforts exceeding the company's expectations. According to Energem, the plant, which...

Local IL Residents Voice Opposition to Proposed Ethanol Plant.(Illini Bio-Energy)(Brief Article)
March 17, 2005... Local Illinois newspaper the Lincoln Courier recently reported that a group of rural Lincoln, IL residents voiced their opposition late last week during a Logan County Board workshop meeting to Illini Bio-Energy's proposed $96-million ethanol...

Pennsylvania CATA Completes CNG Bus Conversion.(Centre Area Transportation Authority, compressed natural gas)(Brief Article)
March 17, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the Pennsylvania Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) has begun using compressed natural gas (CNG) in all of its transport buses. According to AP, former CATA manager Hugh Mose said...

Iowa House Agriculture Committee Approves E85 Bill.(ethanol and soy biodiesel legislation)(Brief Article)
March 18, 2005... The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) recently announced that the state House Agriculture Committee has approved a proposed bill that would increase the availability and use of ethanol and soy biodiesel in the state. According to...

Headwaters, Great River Energy to Build Ethanol Plant in ND.(Brief Article)
March 18, 2005... Elk River, MN-based Great River Energy, a nonprofit generation and transmission cooperative providing electricity to 28 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin, recently announced its completion of a non-binding memorandum of...

Weekly Update.(Calendar)
March 18, 2005... 2005 SOUTHERN BIO-PRODUCTS CONFERENCE, March 22-23, 2005, Holiday Inn-Jackson North, Jackson, MS CENTRAL BIOFUELS CONFERENCE & EXPO, March 29-31, 2005, Real InterContinental Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica 2ND ANNUAL WORLD CONGRESS ON...

Xethanol Completes Acquisition of Iowa Ethanol Plant.(Xethanol Corporation)(Brief Article)
March 21, 2005... Xethanol Corporation recently announced it has completed the purchase of its BioFuels ethanol plant in Blairstown, IA. The company said it has secured $5 million in financing for the purchase, and plans to conduct significant upgrades and...

Dynetek Reports Fourth-quarter, Year-end Financial Results.(Brief Article)
March 21, 2005... Calgary, Alberta-based Dynetek Industries, Ltd., a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of proprietary fuel storage cylinders and systems for compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen, recently announced its financial results for the...

EC Issues Notices to Nine States for Incomplete Biofuel Targets.(European Commission)(Brief Article)
March 21, 2005... The European Commission (EC) recently announced it has issued letters of formal notice to nine European Union (EU) member states that have not yet communicated their target for the share of biofuels in 2005 as required by the European...

Volkswagen Extends Warranty Protection for Biodiesel Fuel Use.(Brief Article)
March 22, 2005... Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) and Volkswagen (VW) AG recently announced that VW has decided to extend warranty protection for the use of biodiesel fuel blends in all of its U.S.-market, diesel-powered automobiles. According to ADM...

Earth Biofuels to Build New Biodiesel Refinery in OK.(Oklahoma)(Brief Article)
March 22, 2005... Apollo Alternative Fuels, Inc. recently announced that Earth Biofuels Inc. plans to construct a new biodiesel refinery in southeastern Oklahoma. Apollo Alternative Fuels, a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Resources International, Inc.,...

Brazilian Company Introduces New Ethanol-powered Plane.(Neiva Aeronautic Industry's EMB 202 Ipanema)(Brief Article)
March 22, 2005... The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) recently reported that Brazilian aircraft interest Neiva Aeronautic Industry has delivered its first ethanol-powered, single-engine airplane for use by a crop-spraying company, with 70 more of the new...

Senator Lugar Introduces Renewable Fuels Bill.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... U.S. Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN) introduced late last week the Fuels Security Act of 2005, new legislation that would more than double the production and use of domestic renewable fuels including ethanol, biodiesel, and fuels produced from...

RFA Praises Senator Thune's Effort to Increase RFS Size.(Renewable Fuels Association, John Thune, renewable fuels standard)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently praised U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee chair James Inhofe (R-OK) for spearheading the effort to pass an improved renewable fuels standard...

Red Trail Energy Completes Funding Drive for ND Ethanol Plant.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Red Trail Energy, LLC has successfully raised $25 million in funding from investors for its proposed $80-million ethanol facility in Richardton, ND. According to AP, Red Trail Energy, which...

Australian Biodiesel Company Launches Initial Public Offering.
March 23, 2005... Australian Renewable Fuels, Ltd. (ARF) recently launched an initial public offering (IPO), which represents the final step in the creation of the new biodiesel company. At the offer price, ARF said it will have a market capitalization of...

South Dakota Passes New Tax Incentives for Biodiesel Production.(Brief Article)
March 24, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that South Dakota governor Mike Rounds has passed new legislation, scheduled to take effect July 1, that will provide refunds for the two-percent contractor's excise tax and four-percent state sales...

LAX to Receive Six New CNG Airfield Buses.(Los Angeles International Airport)(Brief Article)
March 24, 2005... Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) recently announced that the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners is funding the purchase of six high-capacity compressed natural gas (CNG) airfield buses for use at the Los Angeles International Airport...

Grain SA Official Says Ethanol Plants May Benefit Maize Growers.(Brief Article)
March 24, 2005... Reuters recently reported that Grain South Africa chairman Bully Botma commented earlier this month that the country's maize farmers are hoping that the planned development of eight new area ethanol plants will help them raise the asking price...

ND House Committee Increases Soybean Tax to Support Biodiesel.(Brief Article)
March 25, 2005... Local North Dakota newspaper the Grand Forks Herald recently reported that a state House of Representatives committee amended last week a bill to add a two-year, 0.25-percent refundable tax on soybeans, with the revenue to support a government...

Western Iowa Energy Completes Equity Drive for Biodiesel Plant.(Brief Article)
March 25, 2005... Radio Iowa recently reported that Western Iowa Energy has cancelled the remaining equity drive meetings for its proposed $40-million, 30-million-gallon biodiesel plant in Wall Lake, IA, as the company has already achieved its $22-million...

IL Governor Announces AgriFIRST Grant Recipients.(Rod Blagojevich)(Brief Article)
March 25, 2005... Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich recently announced the recipients of the 2005 AgriFIRST grants -- several awards presented to projects designed to promote ethanol and biodiesel fuels -- during the launch earlier this week of the Chicago Board...

Weekly Update.(Calendar)
March 25, 2005... CENTRAL BIOFUELS CONFERENCE & EXPO, March 29-31, 2005, Real InterContinental Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica 2ND ANNUAL WORLD CONGRESS ON INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOPROCESSING: LINKING BIOTECHNOLOGY, CHEMISTRY AND AGRICULTURE TO CREATE...

Wisconsin Senator Proposes Biodiesel School Bus Bill.(Joe Leibham)(Brief Article)
March 28, 2005... Wisconsin state senator Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) recently proposed during a Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Transportation public hearing held earlier this month Senate Bill (S.B.) 39, which would create an incentive for local school...

U.S. Senator Announces Plans for New Biodiesel Plant in ND.(Kent Conrad, North Dakota Biodiesel Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 28, 2005... U.S. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) recently announced that a private company has committed to building a $50-million biodiesel manufacturing plant in Minot, ND, beginning in August. The facility, which is expected to begin offering biodiesel...

'Green' Vehicle Caravan to Drive Through Missouri.(Brief Article)
March 28, 2005... The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) recently announced that a caravan of alternative fuel and hybrid electric vehicles will be making its way through the state early next month as part of "Drive Clean and Green Across...

ND Senate Passes Tax Exemption for E85.(North Dakota State Senate)(Brief article)
March 29, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the North Dakota State Senate has passed a measure to exempt E-85, a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent standard gasoline, from nearly all of a statewide fuel tax. According to...

GM Provides Illinois Corn Growers Association With E85 Vehicle.(General Motors Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 29, 2005... General Motors Corporation (GM) recently announced it has provided the Illinois Corn Growers Association with a Chevrolet Avalanche that is capable of running on E85, a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent standard gasoline, for use...

Pacific Ethanol Completes Share Exchange With Accessity.(Brief Article)
March 29, 2005... Pacific Ethanol, Inc. recently announced the completion of a share exchange transaction among Accessity Corporation, Pacific Ethanol, Kinergy Marketing, LLC and ReEnergy, LLC. Immediately prior to the closing of the share exchange,...

Greenergy, Tesco to Construct New Biodiesel Plant in U.K.(Greenergy Fuels Ltd)(Tesco Personal Finance Ltd)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... Greenergy Fuels, Ltd. recently announced plans to partner with shareholder Tesco to construct a proposed 10-million pound (approximately $18.7-million), 100,000-ton, single-line biodiesel production facility in Immingham, U.K. "We are...

Rentech Issues Update on Conversion of RCI Fertilizer Plant.(Royster-Clark Inc)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... Denver, CO-based Rentech, Inc., the developer and licensor of a patented and proprietary Fischer-Tropsch (FT) gas-to-liquids process, recently announced that, by mutual agreement between Rentech Development Corporation and Royster-Clark, Inc....

Brazil Launches New Soyminas Biodiesel Plant.(Soyminas refinery)
March 30, 2005... Agence France-Presse (AFP) recently reported Brazil's opening of the new Soyminas refinery, the country's first biodiesel fuel plant. According to AFP, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva participated in the inauguration of the...

U.S. Senator Introduces New Renewables Fuels Package.(Brief Article)
March 31, 2005... The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently reported that U.S. Senator Jim Talent (R-MO) announced earlier this week a comprehensive renewable fuels package he is sponsoring in the Senate. According to NBB, the package includes two bills --...

Oklahoma House Approves Ethanol Production Tax Credit.(Brief Article)
March 31, 2005... Local Oklahoma newspaper the Enid News & Eagle recently reported that the state House of Representatives has approved new legislation that would offer an income tax credit to Oklahoma ethanol plants that achieve set minimum production...