Add invasive species status to list of biofuel concerns
(Mongabay.com) High energy prices over the past couple years have fueled interest in biofuels, which proponents say are less damaging to the environment and provide energy security not afforded by foreign oil and gas imports. Nevertheless, accompanying their rise in visibility, have been concerns over their environmental impact of converting natural vegetation for their production.

Synthetic Diesel Taps Coal
(Wired Blogs) Our reserves of fossil fuel may become much larger soon if the progress in commercializing coal-to -diesel technology continues. Shell digs the technology, and is working with mining company Anglo American on a coal gasification plant in Australia. The companies are in a pilot program that aims to be nearly emission free, which requires capturing the carbon that is burned and safely storing in underground.

Deforestation Diesel
(EcoWorld.com) Such is the moniker applied to biofuel by none other than a commentator for the BBC, in an opinion piece posted today entitled Biofuels: Green Energy or Grim Reaper? We have always been optimistic about the potential of biofuel with a couple of big qualifiers: They do not always offer a positive economic or energy payback, even though in some places - palm oil in Africa, sugar cane in Brazil, their payback in both senses is quite positive.