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Musician
Willie Nelson expands biodisel brand BioWillie
CARL'S CORNER, Texas, July 6, 2005 (ENS):
Musician Willie Nelson spent the Independence Day weekend
expanding his chain of biodiesel fueling stations to
the truck stop Carl's Corner along Interstate 35.
Carl's Corner now offers “BioWillie,” the
singer’s unique brand of B20, a fuel made of 20
percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. It
is supplied to filling stations by Willie Nelson Biodiesel,
founded by the musician.
In Texas, Carl’s Corner is not only the name
of the city, but also the truck stop of the July 3 biodiesel
celebration, which included amusements such as a chili
cook-off and concert by Nelson.
“The response from my trucker customers so far
has been phenomenal,” said Carl Cornelius, co-owner
Carl’s Corner. “Almost everybody who’s
used it has been totally satisfied. I’m learning
from truckers they find better mileage, smoother performance,
more power. They’re pretty excited. Everybody
ought to get on this bandwagon.”
During the Texas event, the National Biodiesel Board
presented Cornelius with the Biodiesel Pioneer Award
for his commitment to bringing biodiesel to truckers.
Nelson intends to establish a chain of BioWillie stations
throughout the southeastern United States. "Biodiesel
is the future,” he said.
Company representatives say future plans include truck
stops carrying the B20 along the east coast from Miami,
Florida up to Rochester, New York.
Nelson and Peter Bell, of biodiesel supplier Distribution
Drive formed Willie Nelson Biodiesel with three other
partners in December 2004. To find out more about Willie
Nelson Biodiesel, visit www.wnbiodiesel.com.
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IOWA FALLS, Iowa, July 6, 2005 (ENS): With the
capacity to produce 37.5 million gallons of renewable, clean-burning
biodiesel a year, Cargill’s planned biodiesel plant in Iowa
Falls, Iowa is set to be larger than any of the United States’
current plants.
Cargill announced last month that it plans to start construction
of the new plant this summer, with production expected in April
2006.
Organizers say the plant will initially produce biodiesel exclusively
from soybean oil, but in the future, they hope to add animal fat
and waste grease capabilities as well.
Adjacent to its existing soybean crush facility in Iowa Falls,
Cargill also plans to build a glycerin refinery that can turn out
30 million pounds per year.
“The price volatility of the soybean oil and petroleum markets
can be challenging for biodiesel producers," said Wayne Teddy,
president, Cargill Grain and Oilseed Crush Supply-North America.
But "by leveraging Cargill’s experience with other renewable
fuels, utilizing our expertise in processing, logistics and risk
management, as well as accessing our production of multiple feedstocks,”
the company will make the enterprise a success, Teddy said.
Cargill is the nation’s third largest ethanol producer. It
has an ethanol facility in Eddyville, Iowa that produces 35 million
gallon per year and another just across the Nebraska border in Blair
that produces 85 million gallons per year.
"Our biodiesel initiative reflects ongoing government support
for renewable fuels and our broader commitment to invest in the
U.S. renewable fuels industry, while generating new markets and
applications for American farmers,” he said.
“I think it’s great that Cargill is entering the biodiesel
market. It’s wonderful,” said Roy Arends, a director
for the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board and farmer from Alexander,
Iowa.
“Some might see this as competition for the farmer-owned
biodiesel plants, but I see it as a good sign for the future. Cargill
obviously thinks it’s going to be profitable long term or
they wouldn’t be doing it.”
Iowa farmers have invested millions of tax form checkoff dollars
in the development, production and promotion of soy biodiesel.
There are 52 biodiesel retail fueling stations and more than 350
biodiesel fuel distributors in the state.
Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2005. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2005/2005-07-06-09.asp#anchor3
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