by Tom Shortell (LehighValleyLive.com) A New Jersey company is considering building a biorefinery in Plainfield Township that would convert tall grass and wood pellets into fuel, but no official plans have been submitted to the township. Primus Green Energy, based out of
Pennsylvania
Back TO HOMEUSDA Scientists Use Commercial Enzyme to Improve Grain Ethanol Production
by Ann Perry (US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service) A commercial enzyme could reduce overall costs linked with producing ethanol from grain, and also reduce associated emissions of greenhouse gases, according to a study by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
September 13, 2011 Read Full Article
Keystone BioFuels Paves Way for Evolving Fuel industry
Monica Von Dobeneck (The Patriot-News /PennLive.c0m) Ben Wooten is doubling his workforce, quadrupling his space and increasing his production tenfold at his Keystone BioFuels in Lower Allen Twp. Not bad in a stagnant economy, he said. Wooten said government
September 12, 2011 Read Full Article
AMERIgreen Plans Energy Independence Convoy
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) Pennsylvania-based fuel dealer AMERIgreen Energy Inc. is hosting its Energy Independence Convoy on Aug. 25. As part of the event, a convoy of elected representatives and officials and representatives of businesses committed to using domestically
August 24, 2011 Read Full Article
Senator Warner and Vice Admiral McGinn Discuss Energy Security, Fuel Economy
(The Pew Charitable Trusts) This week, former Navy secretary and U.S. senator John W. Warner (R-Va.) is traveling with Vice Adm. Dennis V. McGinn (Ret.), vice chairman of the CNA Military Advisory Board, as part of a national tour to discuss
August 17, 2011 Read Full Article
Faces of Energy: Andrew Butcher and GTECH
by Lindsay Derba (PopCityMedia) Andrew Butcher, 30, co-founded GTECH, one of Pittsburgh's premier green economy initiatives, along with his partner, Chris Koch. The nonprofit aims to help Pittsburgh grow by transforming vacant land, connecting people to the green economy, and using
August 04, 2011 Read Full Article
Area Businesses Say Ethanol Troubling for Machinery that Has Smaller Engines
by Walt Frank (Altoona Mirror) Cars and trucks are capable of running on E-10 gasoline - gas that contains 10 percent ethanol - but it may not be so good for boats and other machinery with small engines. Service departments at
July 29, 2011 Read Full Article
Messiah College Uses Flower Power to Save Money, Environment
(ABC27.com) Messiah College has been around for over 100 years, but they're trying something for the first time this year. The school is a couple of months into what they are calling, "The Sunflower Power project." ...The school is growing five acres of
July 28, 2011 Read Full Article
Ashtabula County: Growing New Energy Industry
by Tom Beres (WKYC) Farmers in Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania are being recruited to grow a special grass that can be converted to biofuel energy. Some are already planting miscanthus, a durable grass that won't spread and requiries little fertilizer and care. It
June 29, 2011 Read Full Article
USDA Announces Projects to Provide Increased Renewable Energy Production, Reduce Reliance on Foreign Oil
(US Department of Agriculture) Projects Further Obama Administration's Effort to Produce Clean Home-Grown Energy, Create Sustainable Rural Jobs Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today the establishment of four additional Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project areas to promote the cultivation of
June 17, 2011 Read Full Article
Sunoco Offering Biodiesel Blends on N.J. Turnpike, Garden State Parkway
(CSPNet) Ultra-low-sulfur diesel provided along toll roads will contain 2% biodiesel Sunoco Inc. said yesterday that customers are now able to refuel with biodiesel blends at several New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway service plazas. The ultra-low-sulfur diesel provided along
May 27, 2011 Read Full Article
First Flex Fuel Pump Opens in Pennsylvania
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Pennsylvania is the home of its first flex fuel pump. Rhoads Energy worked with Growth Energy to install the pump at its station located at 2176 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, PA. The pump was installed with assistance provided
May 10, 2011 Read Full Article
Rep. George: Alternative Fuels Grant Program Accepting Applications
(The Progress News) State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-74 of Houtzdale, encouraged local businesses and political subdivisions to apply for grants available through the state's Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program. "The AFIG program was established in 1992 and has consistently helped
May 09, 2011 Read Full Article
BARD and OriginOil Announce Co-Venture
(Algae Industry Magazine) BARD Holding Inc., of Morrisville, PA, and California-based OriginOil, Inc. have formed a co-venture to combine their technologies into an end-to-end algae cultivation, harvesting and extraction system. ...“OriginOil’s harvesting and extraction technology coupled with BARD’s commercial algae production
May 09, 2011 Read Full Article
Pennsylvania DEP Announces Alternative Fuel Transportation Projects Grant Opportunity
(Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) The Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for projects to be funded by the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program (AFIG). The program makes available $4 million in grants to assist in funding eligible projects
May 04, 2011 Read Full Article
Ethanol Plant Spin-Off Industry Developing in Clearfield Borough
by Aaron T. Evans (Gant Daily) A spin-off industry from Bionol Clearfield’s ethanol plant is under development in Clearfield Borough. On Thursday night a representative from Air Liquide and a representative from Gannett Fleming Inc. gave a presentation during council’s committees
April 18, 2011 Read Full Article
GM, Coskata Join Forces to Correct Misconceptions about Ethanol
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) With four decades of experience backing him up, Rathin Datta, chief scientific officer for Coskata Inc. has identified the primary renewable liquid fuel. “There’s no doubt—no technical, thermodynamic or energy or any other doubt—that
April 05, 2011 Read Full Article
Scientists Aim to Improve Photosynthesis to Increase Food and Fuel Production
(University of Glasgow) Scientists from the University of Glasgow are working with international colleagues on a £5.4m collaboration to improve the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process whereby biological systems convert sunlight into food and the source of all the
April 01, 2011 Read Full Article
Low Cost Sugars? The Beet Goes On
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...For hot technology companies such as Amyris, Solazyme, LS9, Cobalt and Virent, it all comes down to low-cost sugars. Which brings us to the case of that other sugar source: your friend, the sugar beet. The
April 01, 2011 Read Full Article
BARD Moves towards Commercial Algae Production
by Erin Voegele (Biorefining Magazine) Morrisville, Penn.-based BARD Holdings Inc. recently announced its shift from research and development to the commercialization phase of its algae production technology. According to Avery Hong, BARD’s chief global strategist, the company has completed
March 24, 2011 Read Full Article
Freedom Environmental Acquires David M. Hickman Septic Service Company of West Chester, PA
(CityBizList Philadelphia) Freedom Environmental Services announces today that it has acquired in an asset purchase the business and assets of David M. Hickman Septic Service Company, a family owned residential and commercial septic service company operating for over 100 years in
March 14, 2011 Read Full Article
Municipal Solid Waste to Biofuels Summit: Conference Report
by Bill Brandon (Advanced Biofuels USA) On February 10 & 11, about 120 participants gathered in chilly Chicago for the first Municipal Solid Waste to Biofuels Summit presented by the British firm, Eye for Energy. The conference drew participants from
February 21, 2011 Read Full Article
From Farm to Fuel to a NASCAR Track
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Transitioning to unleaded gasoline at NASCAR occurred only a few years ago. NASCAR race cars still use carburetors without fuel injection. The move to Sunoco Green E15 represents an enormous cultural shift in NASCAR
February 17, 2011 Read Full Article
The Formation of The Center for Sustainable Energy Farming, a Non-Profit Research Foundation, Was Announced by Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., a Leader in Jatropha and Energy Farming
(Globe Newswire) Global Clean Energy Holdings announced the establishment of a new non-profit research organization: The Center for Sustainable Energy Farming (www.CfSEF.org). The Center's mission is to perform cutting-edge plant science research in genetics, breeding and horticulture, and further develop technologies to allow
January 10, 2011 Read Full Article
County Terminates Agreement to Transfer $2M Grant to Ethanol Research Center
by Jessica Shirey (Gant Daily) The Clearfield County Commissioners voted to terminate its cooperation agreement with SWAN Biomass Inc. at its meeting Tuesday in order to proceed with the transfer of grant funding to a cellulosic biomass ethanol research project
November 30, 2010 Read Full Article
Governor Rendell Says Latest Investments in Alternative Fuels Make PA More Energy Independent, Spur Innovation
(Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) Announces Nearly $8 Million for 21 Projects Promoting Biofuels, Natural Gas- and Electric-Powered Vehicles Governor Edward G. Rendell said today that Pennsylvania is cutting its appetite for foreign oil by more than a half-million gallons as
November 22, 2010 Read Full Article
Sheetz Creating E-85 'Clean Fuel Corridor'
(PRNewswire) Pennsylvania motorists wishing to use E-85, a cleaner fuel consisting of 85 percent Ethanol, will soon have a more consistent source of fuel as they travel between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. Sheetz today unveiled its "East-West Clean Fuel Corridor" where E-85
November 08, 2010 Read Full Article
Spring Groundbreaking Eyed for Ethanol Plant
by Scott Gilbert (WITF) The Lancaster County developers behind a proposed ethanol plant hope to break ground in about six months. ...The facility will generate ethanol using second generation beets with high sugar content, most of which Wheaton says will be
October 27, 2010 Read Full Article
Navy Unveils Its 'Mean, Green Riverine Machine' in Norfolk
by Bill Sizemore (Virginia-Pilot) The Navy took a step toward breaking its dependence on petroleum Friday, powering up a boat with fuel derived in part from seaweed. In a demonstration at Norfolk Naval Station, an experimental boat was put through a series
October 25, 2010 Read Full Article
Pennsylvania Bill Would Establish New Biodiesel Fee
by Erin Voegele (BioDiesel Magazine) Legislation currently pending in Pennsylvania could negatively impact the state’s biodiesel industry. On Oct. 6, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives adopted an amendment, SB 901, which seeks to impose a new fuel tax on businesses
October 18, 2010 Read Full Article
Compact Contractors for America Developing Powdered Algae as Jet Fuel
by Tamra Fakhoorian (Algae Industry Magazine) Recent press about the seemingly novel concept of powdered algae as a jet engine fuel has raised eyebrows in the airline industry, and among competing algae processing technologies. However, Robert Fulton, president of Utah-based Compact
October 15, 2010 Read Full Article
Helios Scientific Looks to Bridge Gap with Cellulosic Ethanol at Curwensville Facility
by Aaron T. Evans (Gant Daily) During a press conference on Thursday, Helios Scientific announced the launch of its cellulosic ethanol project in Curwensville. ...Polite said the Curwensville facility will use cutting-edge technology to turn cellulose into affordable energy. The site will
October 15, 2010 Read Full Article
Ethanol Plant in Rapho Township Wins Appeal
by Jon Rutter (LancasterOnline) Beets-to-ethanol site won’t have to pay impact fee. Developer expects to break ground in the spring. Proponents of a Rapho Township plant that would convert sugar beets to ethanol won a sweet victory last week. Lancaster County
October 14, 2010 Read Full Article
'Energy Beet' Crop Grown Here is Called a Success
by Ad Crable (Lancaster Online) Proposed plant in Rapho would use them. The results are in: Special sugar beets can be grown in and around Lancaster County to produce the alternative fuel ethanol. What's more, farmers in the region should be eager
October 06, 2010 Read Full Article
Old Braddock Gas Station May Be Converted to Pump 'Biofuels'
by Joe Napsha (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) A business that collects used cooking oil and processes it into fuel for diesel-powered vehicles plans to convert a dilapidated gas station in Braddock into a biofuels filling station next year. Fossil Free Fuel LLC in Braddock
September 09, 2010 Read Full Article
Rush Township Landfill Project Changes Course
by Anne Danahy (CenterDaily.com) Dumpsite scaled back as developer focuses on ethanol The developer who had proposed building a landfill in Rush Township said the project has changed direction and the company is now working on plans for a waste-to-ethanol plant. Ed
September 01, 2010 Read Full Article
Beet Ethanol Plant Survives Legal Challenge in Rapho Township
by Cindy Stauffer (Lancaster Online) Plans for a beet ethanol plant in Rapho Township have survived a court challenge. A Lancaster County Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit by four businesses who own land near the site. ... Maibach LLC wants to build a
August 25, 2010 Read Full Article
Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection Makes $6 Million Available for Alternative Fuel Transportation Projects
(PR-USA.net) Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger announced today that the department is now accepting applications through the state's $6 million Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant program, or AFIG, for homegrown fuel projects throughout Pennsylvania. "The AFIG program helps improve our environment and economy
July 20, 2010 Read Full Article
Accelergy Receives Grant from Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority
(Accelergy) Carbon Cycle Technology Alliance to scale carbon capture and recycling operations Accelergy Corporation, a global leader in the production of high-grade, domestically sourced liquid fuels, has been awarded an alternative and clean energy program grant from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority
July 12, 2010 Read Full Article
Forage Sorghum Shows Promise as Energy Crop
In their continuing effort to evaluate crops that can serve as biofuel feedstocks as well as cover crops (and that can fit into crop rotations in Pennsylvania and the Northeast) researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences have found
April 12, 2010 Read Full Article
Governor Rendell: Investing in Alternative Fuel Transportation Projects Will Drive Pennsylvania toward Energy Independence
Seeking to enhance Pennsylvania's energy security, promote alternative forms of energy and create a cleaner environment, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced an $8 million investment in 20 projects that will advance the alternative fuels industry in the state. “The Alternative Fuel
April 07, 2010 Read Full Article
Big Spring School District and Hampden Township Bio-fuels Company Get State Money for Projects
by Dan Miller (The Patriot-News) The state will provide $3 million toward an $11 million upgrade of the Keystone BioFuels bio-refinery production plant in Hampden Township (Pennsylvania). The Alternative Energy Investment Fund will provide a $1 million loan guarantee and a
February 01, 2010 Read Full Article
Biofuels Could Create Jobs, Reduce Pollution in Chesapeake Bay Region, Report Finds
Homegrown energy could reduce millions of pounds of nutrients from entering the Chesapeake Bay’s streams, creeks and rivers and create more than 18,000 jobs in the region, according to a new report released by the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the
January 22, 2010 Read Full Article
Solazyme Awarded US $21M Grant for Algae Refinery in Pennsylvania
(Renewable Energy World) Solazyme Inc. will build its first integrated algae fuel refinery in Pennsylvania. The biorefinery will be built in Riverside, Pennsylvania and will be funded in part by a US $21.8 million federal grant that the company received
December 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Penn State Energy-Crops Field Display is Now Open to Visitors
The Penn State energy-crops field display, created by Penn State Farm Services, is now open to visitors on land across from the old armory building on Fox Hollow Road, University Park, Pa., showing a variety of energy crops in production.
September 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Camelina Crop May Save the Day for Northwest Pa. Farmers, Landowners
by Andrea Zippay (Farm and Dairy) A rather low-budget, low-input crop may be a boon to northwest Pennsylvania farmers. Camelina sativa, an oilseed from the Brassica family, is a valuable crop for biofuel production. Already in production in Crawford County,
February 08, 2009 Read Full Article
Chesapeake Cellulosic Biofuels Report Released
The Report of the Chesapeake Cellulosic Biofuels Project Next-Generation Biofuels: Taking the Policy Lead for the Nation was released at the Cellulosic Biofuels Summit held on September 4, 2008 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “This publication represents the culmination of a year-long effort
September 18, 2008 Read Full Article
Crawford County Farmers Growing Camelina for Biofuel
(Farm and Dairy) In most places in the East, they’re still talking about the coming biofuels revolution. But in Crawford County, Pennsylvania — thanks largely to Penn State Cooperative Extension — farmers already are involved in it. The local extension office