Biofuels Continued from page 25 to produce 100 barrels of refined algae oil per day by 2015, and be at commercial-scale production by 2018. After receiving additional equity from private investors, Sapphire was able to repay the remaining balance on its USDA-backed loan earlier this year. In 2011, USDA issued a $12.8 million loan guarantee to Fremont Community Digester for construction of an anaerobic digester in Fremont, MI. The digester, which began commercial operations late last year, is the largest commercial-scale anaerobic digester in the United States. It has the capacity to process more than 100,000 tons of food waste annually to produce biogas and electricity. Biogas from the digester runs generators that total 2.85 megawatts in capacity. The electricity produced is sold to a local utility company to provide power for about 1,500 local homes. Applications for assistance are due by January 30, 2014. More information is available in the October 2, 2013, Federal Register or from the USDA Rural Development office. Hong Kong Commerce Secretary Tours New Biodiesel Plant Gregory So, Hong Kong’s secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, visited the new 100,000 metric ton per year (30 million gallons) biodiesel plant of ASB Biodiesel (Hong Kong) Ltd. in Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate in October. The ASB Biodiesel plant is not only the largest biodiesel plant in Hong Kong, but also the first in Asia to make use of advanced multi-feedstock technology to transform waste cooking oil into biodiesel. The company collects cooking oil and as much as 550 tons of waste grease from about 4,000 local restaurants as a feedstock for its plant. Initially, 20 percent of the plant’s feedstock will come from Hong Kong, eventually increasing to around 45 percent, with waste oil also imported from countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. Minnesota Raises Biodiesel Mandate to 10 Percent Starting next July, Minnesota will become the first state in the country to require that most diesel fuel sold in the warmweather months contain 10 percent biodiesel (B10). Currently, Minnesota, like other states, requires a year-round five percent blend (B5) for most diesel sales. The B10 mandate will begin July 1, 2014, and run through October 31, 2014. Beginning in 2015, B10 will be required from May 1 through October 31. Minnesota became the first state to require the use of biodiesel in 2005. The 10 percent mandate was scheduled to take effect in 2012 under a 2007 law, but it took longer than expected to ensure adequate supplies statewide and set up regulatory protocols for tracking its use. The state agriculture, commerce, and pollution control commissioners certified in a letter published in the Minnesota State Register on October 1, 2013, that all the legal criteria are now met and the B10 mandate can now take effect. 26 December 2013 Render www.rendermagazine.com
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