Springboard Biodiesel Announces Grand Opening of New Closed Loop Production Facility

Springboard Biodiesel announced that it will officially enter a new phase of biodiesel production with the grand opening of its model processing facility in Chico, California on May 1.

Until now, the Company has focused exclusively on manufacturing small-scale, standalone biodiesel production systems. With equipment currently operating in 21 countries and all 50 states, this facet of the business continues strong, but with the new production facility Springboard is poised to produce and sell 1,000 gallons per day of ASTM-D6751 grade biodiesel.

Working in concert with the company’s used cooking oil (UCO) collection partner, Smart Alternative Fuels, based in Redding, CA., Springboard will be processing locally collected UCO into ASTM-grade biodiesel and thereby providing organizations in Butte County and its environs access to cleaner-burning, locally produced biodiesel.

Biodiesel is a global commodity that is increasingly used in fleets around the country, as fleet managers try to better manage their carbon emissions without expensive equipment changes. Springboard CEO, Mark Roberts, notes, “Using biodiesel made from UCO will reduce the driver’s CO2 emissions by as much as 90 percent, while simultaneously reducing particulate matter by 50 percent, and because we are able to price our biodiesel to compete with diesel, these are ‘free’ benefits of incorporating biodiesel into your fleet management logistics.”

With biodiesel, no engine conversion is necessary for diesel vehicles to use the fuel. “You just pump and go,” says Roberts. He adds, “An additional benefit, is the superior lubricity present in biodiesel. It burns with less wear than other fuels and can actually smooth out louder engines.”

The California Energy Commission (CEC) played a significant role in the development of this "first in the state" small-scale biodiesel production facility. The CEC awarded a grant through its Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology program to assist in the development with the intention that this facility will serve as a model to be replicated in other communities.

The CEC program goal is to reduce transportation greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). This model not only reduces GHG through the use of biodiesel vs. diesel, but the concept of small-scale production plants throughout the state, versus large refineries, reduces the carbon intensity by using local by-product feedstock and local distribution.

Springboard’s proprietary system is able to process multiple types of feedstock in an automated environment that assures repeatable, high-quality fuel production at competitive prices. Roberts concluded, “A lot of work has gone into assuring that our CLL system is as safe and reliable as any out there, and we believe that this coupled with our small-scale by design approach will allow us to more effectively proliferate access to affordable biodiesel throughout California.”

Guided tours will be available at the grand opening on Thursday, May 1, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Chico facility.

January 2014 Biodiesel Production Slips Lower

Biodiesel production decreased in January 2014 to 67,704,000 gallons, down from 135,114,000 gallons in December 2013. Even though biodiesel production dropped to roughly half of Decembers production, it was up slightly from January 2013 when 66,276,000 were produced.

Biodiesel consumption was also lower in January 2014 with 86,016,000 gallons consumed, down from December 2013 when 174,552,000 gallons were consumed. As with production numbers, consumption also increased from January 2013 when 69,342,000 gallons were consumed.

Source : EIA

Lufthansa to Evaluate Gevo's Renewable Jet Fuel

Gevo, Inc.announced yesterday that it has come to an agreement with Lufthansa to evaluate Gevo's renewable jet fuel with the goal of approving Gevo's alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ) for commercial aviation use.

"ATJ, like the Fischer-Tropsch pathway, has the potential to use lignocellulosic waste as feedstock, but promises to do so at less cost than Fischer-Tropsch," said Alexander Zschocke, Lufthansa Group Senior Manager Aviation Biofuels.  Lufthansa is a leader in the marketplace for alternative fuels.

"By using isobutanol as a renewable raw material for producing jet fuel, the resulting jet fuel has the mixtures of molecules typical of petro-based jet fuel making it directly compatible with engines and infrastructure.  Renewable jet embodies the potential of cleaner, greener, and as we scale up, cost competitive drop-in fuels," said Patrick Gruber, Gevo's chief executive officer. "We greatly appreciate Lufthansa's and the European Commission's support of this effort. Through initiatives like this, the commercial airlines are seeking to prove out ATJ and move it towards commercialization. ATJ from Gevo's isobutanol is a clean burning, homegrown, drop-in jet fuel, and we have a potential route to deliver aviation biofuels at scale and at competitive cost." 

Gevo's patented ATJ fuel is truly a drop-in fuel, designed to be fully compliant with aviation fuel specifications and provide equal performance, including fit-for-purpose properties.

Renewable Energy Group Achieves One Billion Gallon Milestone

Renewable Energy Group, Inc. announced today that it has reached a new milestone, having sold a cumulative one billion gallons of advanced biofuel during its 17 year history.

“On behalf of the board of directors and employees of REG, I want to say thank you to all of our customers; vendors; investors; federal, state and local supporters; partners; and team members over the years without whom we could never have met this milestone,” said Daniel J. Oh, REG President and Chief Executive Officer.

REG achieved this milestone through investments in a fully integrated value chain including its manufacturing, sales & marketing, and supply chain management capabilities. The company also committed itself to research and development as well as continuous improvement, allowing it to streamline the production process and broadly expand the variety of raw materials used to make biodiesel.

“Since our inception we have endeavored to provide customers with a reliable and durable product that helps diversify the energy complex and increases energy security, improves our environment, and supports agriculture,” Oh said. “Our desire to continuously deliver quality products is a driving force behind REG reaching the billion gallon mark.”

“While we are a company that went from marketing 30,000 gallons of biodiesel in 1996 to more than 258 million gallons last year, we still remember what it took to get here and those who helped us,” said Jeff Stroburg, Chairman of the REG Board of Directors. “We remain committed to investing in our advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals capabilities.”

REG was formed and began operating as an independent company in 2006, as the successor to the biodiesel operations of West Central Cooperative in Ralston, IA, which first began producing biodiesel from a one million gallon per year batch plant in 1996. Private investors, including West Central, provided capital enabling the company to grow, both organically and through acquisitions in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey and Texas. In January 2012, REG became a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange and trades under the ticker REGI.

Obama Administration Delays Decision On Keystone XL Pipeline

The Obama administration announced that it was delaying a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline with this press release from the State Department.

On April 18, 2014, the Department of State notified the eight federal agencies specified in Executive Order 13337 we will provide more time for the submission of their views on the proposed Keystone Pipeline Project.

Agencies need additional time based on the uncertainty created by the on-going litigation in the Nebraska Supreme Court which could ultimately affect the pipeline route in that state.

In addition, during this time we will review and appropriately consider the unprecedented number of new public comments, approximately 2.5 million, received during the public comment period that closed on March 7, 2014.

The agency consultation process is not starting over. The process is ongoing, and the Department and relevant agencies are actively continuing their work in assessing the Permit application.

The Permit process will conclude once factors that have a significant impact on determining the national interest of the proposed project have been evaluated and appropriately reflected in the decision documents. The Department will give the agencies sufficient time to submit their views.

The American Petroleum Institute expressed their disappointment in the delay with the following press release.

The White House move to further the delay a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline after almost six years of exhaustive review is not in our national interest and Congress should act, API President and CEO Jack Gerard said today.
 

“It’s a sad day for America’s workers when politics trumps job creating policy at the White House,” said Gerard. “After nearly six years of review, repeated research on the pipeline’s benefits to economic security and job growth, numerous studies confirming no significant environmental impacts, with the backing of organized labor, and poll after poll showing the support of American voters – if the White House lacks the political leadership to make a decision, we call on Congress to represent the will of the people and act.

“Strong majorities in the House and the Senate have publicly called for Keystone XL’s approval. Now they have a chance to show the voters they are ready to put job creation, economic growth, and our country’s energy security first.

“It’s ironic that Vice President Biden is promoting pipeline development in response to the Ukrainian crisis, while the administration cannot make a decision on one of our own.”

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.