An attempt to end the 54-cent-a-gallon tariff on foreign ethanol has been turned away in the U.S. Senate. This story in the Des Moines Register says that Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire had made the argument that it was costing motorists on the East Coast: “I would rather buy ethanol from Brazil than oil from Venezuela. It just makes …
EarthFirst Building U.S.’s First Bio-refinery
EarthFirst Technologies, Incorporated will be building America’s first bio-refinery, capable of producing ASTM 6751 biodiesel from palm-based methyl esters. Similar projects have been built in Singapore and Malaysia. This story on the Power Online web site says the new bio-refinery will be in Channahon, Illinois: The key to the Company’s Bio-refinery is the use of palm oil based feedstock. The …
Two New on Better Biodiesel Board
Two veterans of the energy business from Houston, Texas have been named to the board of directors of Better Biodiesel, Inc…. a Utah-based company that uses a proprietary technology that eliminates the use of some caustic chemicals for the production of biodiesel (see my post from January 26th). Check out this story that appeared on Grainnet.com: Steven A Nordaker was …
Ethanol Education Bill Pending
A bill pending in Congress would provide grants to community colleges to implement renewable energy education and training programs. This press release from the Renewable Fuels Association says the New Era Act, introduced by Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley, is before a congressional committee and would promote an educated and skilled workforce to meet the demands of an expanding renewable fuels …
New PA Wind Farm to Power 6500 Homes
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell was at the dedication of a new wind farm… the seventh one in the state. According to this press release posted on Rendell’s web site, the Locust Ridge project in Schuylkill County is part of the state’s aggressive push for wind power: At present, the state’s wind farms generate enough electricity to serve about 45,000 homes, …
Thune Warns of Ethanol Fight
South Dakota Senator John Thune says Senate leaders want to pass an energy bill by the Fourth of July… but warned a group of about 100 people this week at the Ethanol Public Policy Summit in Sioux Falls that conflict looms on the horizon. This story in the Argus (SD) Leader says some powerful opponents are against some key provisions …
Electronics Retailer to Make Ethanol Investment
REX Stores, usually known for selling televisions, stereos, and appliances is buying into ethanol. According to this story posted on BizJournals.com, REX will invest between $35 million and $62 million in ethanol-producer One Earth Energy, which plans to start to build a 100-million-gallon-a-year plant this year in Gibson City, Illinois: This purchase will allow Rex to secure a majority ownership …
Bahrain Poised for Major Alternative Energy Investment
Something is brewing with the oil-rich nation of Bahrain and alternative fuels. This story posted on Grainnet.com says the CEO of Chicago-based Consolidated Biofuels has been invited to a private reception at the Bahrain Embassy in Washington, DC tomorrow (June 20th). Daniel Honeycutt’s visit to the embassy comes after his late-May trip to the Middle Eastern kingdom: This invitation follows …
Doyle Calls for Biofuels Backing
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle is calling on Republicans in his state’s legislature to back his plan to spend $30 million on renewable energy. TV station WKBT in La Crosse posted this AP story on its web site and said Doyle made the call in front of a biodiesel plant in De Forest: Doyle is still smarting from Republicans on the …
Biodiesel Better for Building
The smell of french fries fills the air. But this isn’t the back of some fast food restaurant… it’s a construction site where 100% biodiesel is fueling the heavy equipment. Destiny USA, a destination resort under construction in Syracuse, New York, is dedicated to reduce the amount of fossil fuels in its construction site… and eventually at Destiny USA when …