Northwood Mills awarded grant to develop biodiesel production plant
A soybean crushing facility located near Northwood, N.D. has been awarded a $500,000 USDA grant to develop a biodiesel production plant next to their soybean crushing facility, according to N.D. Gov. John Hoeven. The grant is funded through the USDA Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency program which works to increase energy independence through the development of renewable energy resources especially in rural America.

Biofuel rush: Time to slow down?
Ethanol and biodiesel use is soaring as record oil prices make the biofuels more attractive. Stock investors say supply may be catching up to demand. Shares of biofuel producers like Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings in the United States, Biopetrol Industries in Switzerland and Australian Renewable Fuels have plunged in the past few months. Prices for ethanol, made from corn or sugar, and biodiesel, produced from rapeseed or palm oil, have fallen as production expands, even as crude, while down sharply Monday, holds near $68 a barrel.

Palm oil prices to rise, says Malaysia
Palm oil could cost about 10 per cent more next year, according to the Malaysian government, as interest in its use for biofuel continues to grow. Crude palm oil is expected to average MYR1,500 (€321) per tonne this year, up 7.6 per cent on 2005. And it could rise a further 10 per cent to MYR1,650 in 2007, according to the country's 2006/07 Economic Report.

3rd ID camp eyed as biofuel plantation site
A project that encourages the cultivation of tuba-tuba in the idle lands all over the country was launched recently by the government in line with its efforts to ease the country’s dependence on crude oil importation. Tuba-Tuba, locally known as ‘kasla,’ is a drought resistant shrub with an economic life of 35 years and can grow in sandy, gravelly, and salty soils. Its seeds can be processed to produce oil that can then be converted into bio-diesel.