Sirona Fuels

2012 National Biodiesel Conference

The 2012 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo will be held February 5-8 at the Gaylord Palms Convention Center in Orlando. "It is the only event that gathers biodiesel decision-makers from across North America and the world. Opportunities abound for attendees and exhibitors to network, connect and learn. This event will explore the topics of governmental policy, technical issues and marketing trends in the biodiesel industry." 02/05/2012

Tax credit for biodiesel fuels to expire?

Baucus Looks to Create Certainty with Long-Term, Pro-Jobs Solution to Tax Extenders Finance Chair: Tax Reform Must Reshape Tax Code to Help Businesses Grow with Smart Incentives Washington, DC – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today called for a long-term, pro-jobs solution that would end the uncertainty caused by tax provisions requiring frequent renewal, commonly called “tax extenders.” In a committee hearing, Baucus spoke about the need to examine these tax extenders as part of the tax reform process to determine how best to retool incentives that help businesses invest and create jobs. Baucus has made clear he will fight to include these tax extenders as part of the current payroll tax cut conference. “The lack of certainty about these tax extenders is bad for American families, bad for businesses looking to create jobs and bad for our economy. When Congress provides businesses with long-term incentives that cover their entire business plans, businesses can invest with confidence and our economy can grow,” Baucus said. “Each day businesses do not know whether tax extenders will be in place means less American manufacturing, less production and fewer jobs.” Many provisions in the tax code are set to expire annually or biannually, but Congress passes legislation that extends them instead. There are more than 50 of these traditional tax extenders, and the frequent threat of expiration causes uncertainty among taxpaying businesses, families and individuals. These tax extenders also narrow the tax base, necessitating higher rates. In addition, the yearly process required to pass each extender package consumes much of the legislative calendar. At today’s hearing, Baucus discussed how difficult it is for businesses to plan and invest when the tax credits and deductions they rely upon last no longer than a few years. He cited the tax credit for biodiesel fuels, which was created in 2004 to help the young industry mature and has been extended three times. When the credit lapsed for nearly all of 2010, biodiesel production dropped by nearly 40 percent as a result. More than 9,000 jobs were lost and 80 facilities shut down. Baucus said that through tax reform, Congress should address the shortcomings of these tax provisions and choose whether to fix them permanently or allow them to expire. 02/05/2012

Biodiesel production sets new record

Soy Biodiesel Helps America’s Advanced Biofuel Top 1 Billion Gallons ST. LOUIS (February 3, 2012) – Biodiesel became a one-billion gallon industry, setting an all-time production record last year. That’s thanks in part to its predominant fuel source: soy biodiesel. U.S. biodiesel production far exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2011 production requirement of 800 million gallons. In fact, production reached nearly 1.1 billion gallons, which surpassed the previous record of 690 million gallons set in 2008. U.S. soybean farmers and their checkoff helped establish soy’s role in the biodiesel marketplace, originally looking for a new use of surplus soybean oil more than 20 years ago. Today, the soybean checkoff continues to support biodiesel through research and education efforts... 02/05/2012

Corporate Fleet Sustainability Programs Soar

PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 04, 2010 – Fleets throughout North America seek to reduce their carbon footprint, improve the number miles per gallon their vehicles receive, and use a mix of alternative fuels as part of their sustainability initiative. According to a recent survey by NAFA Fleet Management Association, the number of corporate fleets with sustainability initiatives soared from 64.5 percent to 76.6 percent within the past 12 months. PRlog.org, 10/04/2010

Clean Energy Policy Under Fire by Big Oil & Friends

The Center for American Progress Action Fund (CAPAF) has released a new analysis that concludes that Big Oil and other special interests have spent millions of dollars in lobbying and campaign contributions to defeat clean energy legislation. Domestic Fuel.com, 09/28/2010

Oil companies trying to block California clean air laws

OAKLAND, Calif. - Texas-based oil giants Valero and Tesoro, among the biggest polluters in the nation, are the main backers of Proposition 23, which would suspend California's clean air laws. People's World, 08/17/2010

Biodiesel Cleans Up the Oil It's Trying to Replace

Effects of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will last for years to come but biodisel producers are beginning an effort to encourage use of methyl esters, the chemical yielded in production of biodiesel that can be turned into a bio-based solvent considered a shoreline washing agent, to clean up the oiled shorelines. Hoosier Ag Today, 08/12/2010

Senator Kerry debuts second energy bill

Senator John Kerry is to have another crack at introducing comprehensive energy legislation capable of curbing carbon emissions, following the death of his controversial climate bill last month. This time, however, the bill will make use of incentives rather than punishments. BusinessGreen.com, 08/10/2010

World Bank reverses: “The effect of biofuels on food prices has not been as large as originally thought.”

In Washington, a newly released report from the Development Prospects Group at the World Bank, “Placing the 2006/08 Commodity Price Boom into Perspective”, concludes that “…the effect of biofuels on food prices has not been as large as originally thought, but that the use of commodities by financial investors (the so-called “financialization of commodities”) may have been partly responsible for the 2007/08 spike.” Biofuels Digest, 08/02/2010

UN agency highlights potential of jatropha plant as energy source for the poor

22 July 2010 – Jatropha, a wild plant that grows well in dry areas on degraded lands and can be processed into biofuel, has potential as a low-cost energy source for poor farmers, according to a new United Nations report, which adds that further research is still needed on this crop. UN News Center, 07/22/2010

U.S. Government Mandates 800M Gallons Biodiesel by Next Year

Keeping in line with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that it will need 800 million gallons of biodiesel in the United States domestic market in 2011. Daily Tech, 07/20/2010

Marine Corps initiates use of Pacific Biodiesel

Pacific Biodiesel’s “cleaner, safer, locally produced premium biodiesel” is now being used in tactical vehicles on Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i (MCBH). Maui Weekly, 07/15/2010

Lloyd’s of London Sounds Peak Oil Alarm

Lloyd’s of London, the insurance market that is one of Britain’s most respected financial institutions, co-authored a report that warned businesses of the dire consequences they could face if they are unprepared for peak oil, reported the UK Guardian on Sunday. HeadingOil.com, 07/14/2010

PG&E Joins Opposition to Proposition 23

Utility Works to Support Thoughtful and Balanced Implementation of Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 PR Newswire, 07/06/2010

Gen. Clark says renewable energy the ‘peace' fuel of the future

As a four-star general who served as NATO Supreme Allied Commander from 1997 to 2000, Gen. Wesley Clark has been in a unique position to see how vital energy independence is. “Is there any doubt about what America's dependence on foreign oil has meant?” said Clark at the 2010 Renewable Energy Action Summit held in Bismarck, N.D. Minnesota Farm Guide, 07/01/2010

Grassley Tries Again for Biodiesel Extension

Senate Ag Committee member Chuck Grassley of Iowa is once again pressing for an extension of the biodiesel tax credit, this time filing an amendment on the small business bill the Senate is debating. Housier Ag Today, 06/30/2010

Christmas tree from Arizona to Washington on biodiesel

The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is being cut in Arizona's White Mountains, transported to Oro Valley and several communities across the state, then hauled to Washington, all on a truck fueled by biodiesel. Explorer News, 11/04/2009

Report Finds Oil Subsidies Higher Than Ethanol

A new report from the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) finds that federal subsidies for fossil fuels are twice that of renewables. domesticfuel.com, 09/18/2009

GM will have first factory-certified B20 diesels vehicles next spring

One of several interesting little surprises to come out of this week's GM product technology showcase was the upgraded 6.6-liter Duramax V8. Unfortunately, the 4.5-liter diesel developed for the light duty applications remains on the shelf for now, but the big diesel is getting a significant revamp in 2010. Auto Green Blog, 08/13/2009

Camelina-jatropha biofuel powers hydroplane test

Another round of biofuel testing was accomplished in a Boeing U-787 hydroplane in demonstration test runs conducted at the Chevrolet Cup, part of Seattle’s Seafair held July 31 through Aug. 2. Biodiesel Magazine, 08/06/2009

Biofuels 'done right' can curb greenhouse gas emissions and provide other benefits

Biofuels derived from renewable sources can be produced in large quantities and address many problems related to fossil fuels, including greenhouse gas emissions, but only if they are made from certain sources, according to a new article by a team of scientists and policy experts that included several Princeton researchers. Princeton University, 07/16/2009

Haitians seek remedies for environmental ruin

Much of Haiti is an environmental disaster area, its mountains stripped of trees, its soil easily eroded by heavy rains that produce deadly floods and mudslides. Activists and entrepreneurs are coming up with ideas to reverse that damage. Southern California Public Radio, 07/15/2009

President Obama Issues Presidential Directive to USDA to Expand Access to Biofuels; USDA, EPA and DOE to Form Biofuels Interagency Working Group

President Obama issued a presidential directive May 5 to Secretary Tom Vilsack to aggressively accelerate the investment in and production of biofuels. BioFuels Journal, 05/05/2009

Warranties Against Biodiesel Use Might Be Invalid

How much biodiesel can you run in your diesel-powered vehicle? Well, some manufacturers warn that if you use more than a 5 percent blend, you’ll void your warranty. John Davis, domesticfuel.com, 03/30/2009

Propel Launches California Alt-Fuel Stations

California’s stricter air emission standards just got a nod from a friend in the White House, but are California residents clamoring for more stations where they can pump biofuels into their cars? Katie Fehrenbacher, earth2tech.com/, 03/27/2009

Major Cities Nationwide Increasingly Turn to Biodiesel as Renewable Energy Source

More cities around the U.S. are turning to biodiesel as a renewable energy solution. NBB put the spotlight on the largest city to use B20 fleet-wide—San Francisco – last month when the city hosted the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo. Here are just a few of the initiatives announced recently. NBB Biodiesel Bulletin, 03/24/2009

Alternative Fuels Viable Option for Reducing Container Ports Pollution - Study

The switch to clean alternative fuels is gaining momentum at U.S. and international container shipping ports according to a new research study, "Container Ports and Air Pollution," published by Energy Futures, Inc. Reliance on diesel fuel for goods movement has contributed to a reputation for container ports being among the world's biggest sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Now, progress is being made toward reducing harmful emissions. The study found that natural gas is currently the leading alternative fuel for goods movement at U.S. container ports, while hybrid electric vehicles are gaining popularity in Asia. NGV Global, Wednesday, 25 February 2009, 03/20/2009

I-5 Could Become First Alternative Fuel Corridor in U.S.

Imagine being able to drive from Vancouver, B.C., to Baja, California, without using gasoline. That’s what West-coast Governers are contemplating with a new plan to build a network of alternative-fuel stations along the I-5 corridor. Gas 2.0, Clayton B. Cornel, 03/18/2009

Sirona Fuels Joins Biodiesel Business

San Francisco-based Sirona Fuels has joined the biodiesel business. During an announcement, fittingly enough, at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo last week in the Golden Gate city, company officials said they bought Blue Sky Biofuels, giving them a 15 million gallon a year refinery using recycled cooking oil. Domestic Fuel, John Davis, 02/09/2009

Sirona Fuels Enters Biofuels Market

Biofuels startups are a dime a dozen these days, as entrepreneurs backed by venture capitalists race to commercialize new processing technologies for making alternative fuels that are cost-competitive with oil-based rivals. But Sirona Fuels, a new San Francisco startup that officially entered the biodiesel marketplace Monday, aims to expand with a different business model: brokering long-term, fixed-price deals for collecting cooking oil and oil-producing plants it refines into fuel. Red Herring, Justin Moresco, 02/03/2009