Petroleum Alternatives
ByEnergy Collaboration Ready to Go
By WEEK Reporter
By Denise Jackson
Researchers at the Ag lab in Peoria say they are excited about benefits and costs savings from the Pennycress plant grown in Central Illinois during the winter.
They say it could be a model for other new crops containing energy alternatives.
U–S Ag Lab researchers say crude oil which comes from the Pennycress plant can be converted into biodiesel without being refined….and it’s better than some biodiesels currently on the market.
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“If you know anybody that’s driven a diesel truck this winter in Central Illinois you’ve heard them griping about fuel filters plugging and that’s because the cloud point of the diesel is so high and this actually has a lower cloud point which means it will have a longer extended range that we can run this biodiesel in a diesel engine without plugging these filters,” said U.S.D.A. Researcher Terry Isbell
Ag lab officials say Peoria is unique because it’s among the first communities to use Pennycress as a bio–diesel fuel. Peoria area Congressman Aaron Schock toured the facility Tuesday and got an update on the program.
Biofuels Manufacters of Illinois is ready to build its plant here. But Schock says B–M–I is trying to clear a hurdle with the state.
The ag lab would mass produce the Pennycress seeds for B–M–I which will use its plant to convert renewable fats and oil to make biodiesel fuel.
Schock says the investors want to break ground right after getting a loan guarantee from the state.
“If the state will simple offer a guarantee these folks have the financing lined up with 4 or 5 local banks here in Peoria that are actually gonna provide the cash in and they can begin construction, real jobs, real stimulus in 30 days,” Schock said.
Schock says he plans to contact Governor Pat Quinn to try and facilitate a state loan.
He says U–S–D–A officials have pledged to include Pennycress in a new temporary insurance program for farmers who will participate in the program.