Alternative Transportation Fuels Today articles from September 2004

Alternative Transportation Fuels Today archives from September 2004

IN School District to Use B20 Blend in School Buses.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Richmond, IN newspaper The Palladium Item recently reported that the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) in south central Indiana plans to fuel its entire 107-bus fleet with a blend of 20 percent soy and 80 percent conventional...

Thai Energy Minister Supports Importing Ethanol to Meet Demand.(Prommin Lertsuridej)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Thai newspaper The Nation recently reported that energy minister Prommin Lertsuridej said during the Biofuel Bangkok 2004 conference earlier this week that the Energy Ministry supports the import of ethanol as long as the price of the...

Big River Resources Opens New Ethanol Plant in IA.(Iowa)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2004... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently announced that Big River Resources, LLC began production last week at its West Burlington, IA ethanol plant, a facility owned by farmers from Iowa and Illinois. "Big River Resources brings...

Local Utah Fueling Station Begins Offering B2.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2004... The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently announced that the Dal Soglio Sinclair retail fueling station in Midvale, UT has begun selling B2, a fuel blend of two percent biodiesel and 98 percent standard diesel, for the same price as regular...

Thai Company Signs MOU For Development of Biodiesel Project.(Asian Corporation Group)(memorandum of understanding)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2004... Reuters recently reported that Thailand's Asian Corporation Group (ACG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bayer Technology Services for the development of a new biodiesel project in Thailand comprising 8,000 acres of palm and...

Johnstown Board Recommends Denial of Ethanol Plant Proposal.(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Following a groundswell of opposition from Johnstown, CO, residents, the town's board voted unanimously Monday to recommend that the county reject a plan to build a new local ethanol plant. The $45-million plant, proposed by Front Range...

Maryland County to Purchase New CNG-powered Buses.(compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered public transportation buses)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Local Maryland newspaper the Gazette recently reported that Montgomery County's Ride On bus service plans to purchase 15 new compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered public transportation buses. According to the paper, county officials have...

Philippines to Receive CNG Buses in Deal With China.(compressed natural gas)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2004... Agence France-Presse (AFP) recently reported that Philippine energy secretary Vincent Perez has revealed the signing of an agreement to import 200 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses from China. According to AFP, Perez noted that...

Weekly Update.
September 3, 2004... ALTWHEELS TRANSPORTATION FESTIVAL, September 17-19, 2004, Larz Anderson Museum of Transportation, Brookline, MA CLEAN VEHICLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S 22ND NATIONAL NGV CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION, September 19-21, 2004, Henry B. Gonzalez...

AMEC Awarded Design Contract for Biodiesel Plant in Canada.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2004... Engineering and project management services company AMEC recently announced it has been awarded a $1.9-million contract to design a biodiesel production plant for Biox Corporation in Hamilton, Canada. According to AMEC, the alternative fuel...

Brazilian Study Evaluates Performance of B30 Fuel.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2004... The Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency recently reported that the University of Sao Paulo's Laboratory for the Development of Clean Technologies (LADETEL) has released the results of a validation study revealing that the use of B30, a fuel...

Quantum Reports First-quarter Financial Results.(Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2004... Irvine, CA-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., a leading designer, manufacturer and integrator of packaged fuel systems for hydrogen fuel cell and alternative fuel applications, recently announced its financial results for...

Cummins Westport Plans CNG Engine Production in China.(Brief Article)
September 8, 2004... Dow Jones recently reported that Cummins Westport, Inc. chairman Steven Chapman announced late last week that the company plans to begin producing compressed natural gas (CNG) engines in China during the first half of next year. According...

ABF Announces First Biodiesel Shipment to Asia.(American Biofuels)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2004... American Biofuels (ABF) announced it has shipped what it believes to be the largest order of biodiesel ever from the U.S. to Asia. According to the company, the maritime shipment comprises about 6,000 gallons of biodiesel in more than 100...

CWI to Supply CNG Engines for Philippine Transport Project.(Cummins Westport Inc., compressed natural gas)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2004... Cummins Westport, Inc. (CWI) announced last week it has been chosen to supply 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) bus engines to the Philippine government as part of a project to field-test the first CNG bus fleet in the country's history. ...

Presidential Nominee Campaigns With Biodiesel Buses.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2004... The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently announced that democratic presidential nominee John Kerry has begun using B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent standard petroleum diesel, to fuel two of his campaign buses. "With...

Consulting Firm Discusses Ethanol Plant Feasibility in MS.(Frazier, Barnes and Associates L.L.C., Mississippi)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2004... Local Mississippi newspaper the Clarksdale Press Register recently reported that Memphis, TN-based technical and management consulting firm Frazier, Barnes and Associates, LLC (FBA) conducted an open forum last week to gather input on the...

Westport, Isuzu Sign Partnership, Funding Agreement.(Westport Innovations Inc., Isuzu Motors Ltd.)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... Westport Innovations, Inc. recently announced it has entered into a partnership and funding agreement with Isuzu Motor's, Ltd. for the application of Westport's compressed natural gas direct injection engine (CNG-DI) technologies on Isuzu...

President Bush Expresses Support for Biodiesel.(George W. Bush)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2004... The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently reported that President Bush commented "I believe in biodiesel" during a speech delivered late last month at the Farm Progress Show in Iowa. NBB commended Bush for his remarks, as well as the...

Weekly Update.(Calendar)
September 10, 2004... ALTWHEELS TRANSPORTATION FESTIVAL, September 17-19, 2004, Larz Anderson Museum of Transportation, Brookline, MA CLEAN VEHICLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S 22ND NATIONAL NGV CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION, September 19-21, 2004, Henry B. Gonzalez...

U.S. Ethanol Industry Posts Record Production Numbers for June.(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently announced that numbers released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicate that the nation's ethanol producers broke a monthly production record for the ninth consecutive time in June....

IMPCO Commercializes Eclipse Engine Management System.(IMPCO Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... IMPCO Technologies, Inc. recently announced the commercialization of its Eclipse heavy-duty engine management system, which the company said enables the use of clean-burning natural gas and propane in diesel-powered engines, helping to reduce...

FAB Receives LNG 'Fuel Packs' Order From New Flyer.(Fab Industries, New Flyer Industries)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... Anniston, AL-based Fab Industries, a designer, builder and installer of "Fuel Packs" for compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen-powered vehicles, recently announced it has received the notification to proceed...

Jeep Liberty CRD Diesel SUVs to Run on B5.(common rail diesel, sport-utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2004... DaimlerChrysler recently announced that each new 2005 Jeep Liberty common rail diesel (CRD) sport-utility vehicle (SUV) rolling off the assembly line will be fueled with B5, a fuel blend of five percent biodiesel and 95 percent standard...

New B20 Terminal Set to Open in Colorado.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2004... Blue Sun Biodiesel and Alta Fuels recently announced plans to open a new high-volume commercial biodiesel terminal this fall. According to the companies, fuel distributors and consumers alike in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico...

Texas City Receives Clean Air Leadership Award.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2004... Local Texas newspaper The Facts recently reported that the Houston-Galveston Area Council has presented the city of Lake Jackson with a regional clean air leadership award for converting several of its fleet vehicles to compressed natural gas...

Honda, FuelMaker Develop Natural Gas Home Refueling Appliance.(American Honda Motor Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2004... American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and FuelMaker Corporation recently announced they plan to work together to complete the development of Phill, a natural gas home refueling appliance. The companies said they expect to begin retail sales of...

Pure Energy Ships Biodiesel Fuel to India.(Brief Article)
September 15, 2004... Paramus, NJ-based Pure Energy Corporation recently announced it has shipped its second commercial-scale consignment of biodiesel fuel to Indian oil company Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Ltd., for use in an urban bus pilot project in the city...

South African Minister Discusses Potential Use of Ethanol.(Lulu Xingwana)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2004... South Africa's Business Report recently reported that the country's deputy minerals and energy minister Lulu Xingwana commented during the 19th World Energy Congress and Exhibition held last week in Sydney, Australia that South Africa is...

Construction Commences at Amaizing Energy Plant in IA.(Iowa)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2004... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently announced the start of construction at farmer-owned Amaizing Energy, LLC's ethanol facility near Denison, IA. According to RFA, the plant will generate 40 million gallons of ethanol and nearly...

Brazil Faces Ethanol Competition From Asian States.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2004... Brazilian newspaper Agencia Estado recently reported that the country's agriculture minister Roberto Rodrigues attended a meeting in Thailand earlier this month in which representatives from 14 Asian countries declared they would begin...

TTC Commences Biodiesel Test on Transit Buses.(Toronto Transit Commission )(Brief Article)
September 16, 2004... The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) recently announced the launch of a new nine-month project that will test the use of biodiesel fuel in 180 buses, focusing on environmental performance in TTC service conditions and evaluation of test results...

Lincolnland Agri-Energy Begins Production at IL Plant.(Illinois)(Brief Article)
September 17, 2004... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently announced that the farmer-owners of Lincolnland Agri-Energy, LLC have commenced production at their ethanol plant near Palestine, IL. According to RFA, the plant will process more than 15...

Consultant Says Brazil Succeeding in Ethanol Market.(Julio Maria Borges )(Brief Article)
September 17, 2004... The Oil & Gas Journal (OGJ) recently reported that JOB Economy & Planning consultant Julio Maria Borges has announced that Brazilian ethanol exports reached approximately 764 million liters between May and July of this year, up from 92 million...

Philippine Transport Groups Commit to CNG Bus Purchases.(compressed natural gas)(Brief Article)
September 17, 2004... The Philippine Daily Inquirer recently reported that transportation companies First CNG, Inc., Greenstar Express, HM Transport, NGV AdBus Corporation and RRCG Transport Systems Company, Inc. have agreed to purchase a combined total of 140...

SCEO Awards Grant for Ethanol Fueling Station to USC.(South Carolina Energy Office, University of South Carolina)(Brief Article)
September 17, 2004... University of South Carolina (USC) daily student newspaper The Gamecock reported last week that the South Carolina Energy Office (SCEO) will provide USC's Vehicle Management and Parking Division with a $23,000 grant to support the construction...

Weekly Update.(Fuel industry)(Calendar)
September 17, 2004... ALTWHEELS ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION FESTIVAL, September 18-19, 2004, Larz Anderson Museum of Transportation, Brookline, MA CLEAN VEHICLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S 22ND NATIONAL NGV CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION, September 19-21, 2004, Henry B....

Wyoming Ethanol to Increase Capacity of Local Facility.(Brief Article)
September 20, 2004... Local Wyoming newspaper the Torrington Telegram recently reported that Wyoming Ethanol plans to expand its facility in Torrington, WY in an attempt to increase its ethanol production capacity to meet growing market demand. According to the...

DOE Awards Funds to UNL for Soybean Research.(Department of Energy, University of Nebraska (Lincoln))(Brief Article)
September 20, 2004... The Southwest Nebraska News recently reported that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has been awarded $491,000 from the Department of Energy (DOE) for research into using soybeans to produce biodiesel. According to the newspaper, the...

IA Fueling Station Offers E85 for 85 Cents Per Gallon.(Iowa, Heart of Iowa Cooperative)
September 20, 2004... The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) recently announced that the Heart of Iowa Cooperative's Cenex Pump 24, a newly upgraded "cardtrol" fueling station in Story City, IA, offered E85, a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent...

VeraSun Breaks Ground on New Ethanol Plant in IA.(VeraSun Fort Dodge LLC, Iowa)(Brief Article)
September 21, 2004... VeraSun Fort Dodge, LLC recently announced it has begun construction of its 110-million-gallon ethanol plant at a 252-acre site in Webster County, IA. According to the company, the plant, which is scheduled to begin production in early...

RFA Lauds Appointment of New EPA Agricultural Advisor.
September 21, 2004... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently registered its approval of the Environmental Protection Agency's appointment of Jon Scholl as counselor to the administrator for agricultural policy. "He brings a wealth of experience to the...

Australian Village Approves Plan for Biodiesel Facility.(Biodiesel Producers Ltd.)(Brief Article)
September 22, 2004... Local Australian newspaper The Border Mail recently reported that the village of Indigo has granted planning approval for a proposed $25-million biodiesel plant to be built adjacent to a rendering plant in Barnawartha. According to the...

Local MI Ethanol Plant Project Moves Forward.(Michigan)(Brief Article)
September 22, 2004... Local Ohio newspaper the Toledo Blade recently reported that officials with Great Lakes Ethanol, LLC have revealed that half the funding required to commence construction of a new $72-million, 50-million-gallon-per-year ethanol plant in Riga,...

Project BioBus Visits NH Town on Biodiesel Promotional Tour.(Brief Article)
September 22, 2004... Local New Hampshire newspaper the Portsmouth Herald recently reported that 12 students from Middlebury College in Vermont visited Portsmouth, NH last week in their biodiesel-powered school bus as part of a 22-state tour to promote the use of...

Hawaii to Require Ethanol Gasoline Additives by 2006.(Brief Article)
September 23, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Hawaiian governor Linda Lingle signed into effect earlier this week legislation mandating ethanol additives in gasoline sold in the state. According to AP, the new legislation calls for 85...

BMW H2R Sets Nine World Speed Records in France.(Brief Article)
September 23, 2004... BMW of North America, LLC recently announced that the BMW H2R set nine international speed records for internal combustion powered vehicles using hydrogen as a fuel at the Miramas high-speed Proving Grounds in France. "Nine records marking...

Senator Criticizes U.S. Support for Caribbean Ethanol Plant.(Charles Grassley)(Brief Article)
September 23, 2004... The Des Moines Register recently reported that U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) earlier this week formally criticized the Export-Import Bank of the United States for assisting in the financing of a new ethanol plant in Trinidad and Tobago....

New IA Gas Station Offers E85 for 85 Cents Per Gallon.(Iowa)(Brief Article)
September 24, 2004... The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) recently announced that the Farmers Cooperative Company will offer E85, a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent standard petroleum, for 85 cents a gallon today at the grand opening of its...

Rentech Announces Placement of Senior Secured Note.(Brief Article)
September 24, 2004... Denver, CO-based Rentech, Inc., the developer and licensor of a patented and proprietary Fischer-Tropsch gas-to-liquids process, recently announced it has completed the placement of a senior secured note for a credit facility of up to $2...

Farm Aid 2004 Promotes Use of Pure Biodiesel.(Brief Article)
September 24, 2004... The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently announced that the Farm Aid 2004 annual benefit concert held last week at the White River Amphitheatre on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation in Washington promoted the development and use of B100, or...

Weekly Update.(fuel industry)(Calendar)
September 24, 2004... NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE ENERGY OFFICIALS (NASEO) 2004 ANNUAL MEETING, September 27-30, 2004, Intercontinental Chicago, Chicago, IL ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND THEIR POWERTRAIN SEMINAR, October 5-6, 2004, One Birdcage Walk, London, England...

Groups Urge Bush, Congress to Complete VEETC Legislation.(volumetric ethanol excise tax credit)(Brief Article)
September 27, 2004... The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recently joined with more than 100 other organizations in sending a letter to President Bush urging him to work with Congress to complete the volumetric ethanol excise tax credit (VEETC), which has...

Senators Return Funding for Biodiesel Education Program.(Tom Harkin, Kit Bond)(Brief Article)
September 27, 2004... The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently announced that U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Kit Bond (R-MO) successfully secured $1 million in funding for the National Biodiesel Education Program during full committee deliberations of the...

STMicroelectronics to Use B100 in Fleet Vehicles.(Brief Article)
September 27, 2004... STMicroelectronics recently announced that its Kirkop back-end semiconductor manufacturing facility in Malta will use only B100, or 100-percent biodiesel, for the diesel-powered vehicles in its transportation fleet, as well as for its boiler...

Delaware Opens Mid-Atlantic's First Biodiesel Plant.(Brief Article)
September 28, 2004... The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently announced that a groundbreaking ceremony was held last week in Clayton, DE for the mid-Atlantic region's first biodiesel production facility. The plant, owned by Mid-Atlantic Biodiesel Inc., will...

SSWM to Convert Diesel Vehicles, Services to NG in Bangladesh.(Brief Article)
September 28, 2004... Sub Surface Waste Management (SSWM) of Delaware, Inc. recently announced a joint venture with C. Trade, Inc. and Omnitek Engineering Corporation to provide technology, engineering and project management for natural gas (NG) distribution...

IANGV to Host NGV 2004 Conference, Exhibit in Buenos Aires.(International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles)(Brief Article)
September 28, 2004... The International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV) will host "NGV 2004," its biennial conference and exhibition, October 26 through 28 at Centro Costa Salguero in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The event will commence the morning of...

NCGA Condemns Cargill's Proposed El Salvadoran Ethanol Plant.(National Corn Growers Association)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2004... The Illinois Farm Bureau (ILFB) recently announced that the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has expressed disapproval of agribusiness company Cargill's decision to continue with an investment plan for an ethanol dehydration plant in El...

Thai Prime Minister Says Fiat Pursuing FFV Development.(flex-fuel vehicle, Fiat S.p.A.)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2004... AutoAsia recently reported that Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra revealed during a weekly radio address that Italian automaker Fiat is looking to participate in a local ethanol-powered vehicle project. According to AutoAsia, Thaksin...

ABF's B2 Sells for Less Than Diesel in Salt Lake City Area.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2004... American Biofuels (ABF) recently announced that its B2 offering, a fuel blend of two percent biodiesel and 98 percent standard petroleum diesel, has been reported to be selling at a newly opened biodiesel fueling station in Salt Lake City, UT...

Minnesota Governor Proposes Ethanol Increase in State Gasoline.(Brief Article)
September 30, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty has proposed an increase in the mandated amount of ethanol sold per gallon of state gasoline from 10 percent to 20 percent. According to AP, the new bill,...

PCNA Earns First NBB BQ-9000 Accreditation.(Peter Cremer North America L.P., National Biodiesel Board)(Brief Article)
September 30, 2004... The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently announced that Peter Cremer North America, LP (PCNA) has become the first biodiesel producer to receive accreditation under NBB's National Biodiesel Accreditation Program, an autonomous committee of...

Local Australian City Council Votes in Support of Ethanol Use.(Townsville)(Brief Article)
September 30, 2004... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) recently reported that the city council of Townsville, Queensland has unanimously voted in support of powering the majority of its vehicle fleet with ethanol fuel blends. According to ABC, the...