To anyone concerned about high grain prices, the impact of biofuels on the livestock industry, or whether we will have enough corn to meet all needs, Dean Kleckner has just one message: “Let the market sort it out.” Kleckner is the chairman of Truth About Trade & Technology, an industry group that is pro-trade and pro-biotechnology. He is also a …
Forum Focuses on Energy
The theme was Agriculture at the Crossroads — Energy, Farm & Rural Policy and it was obvious that energy was the headliner at USDA’s 2007 Outlook Forum last week. The plenary session of the Forum featured some of the top names in agribusiness – ADM CEO Patricia Woertz, Cargill president Greg Page and CHS president John Johnson, together with Red …
Alternative Fuel School Bus Webcasts Set for Next Week
School administrators might want to mark Tuesday, March 13th on their calendars as the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute holds the AFV School Bus Connection webcast from 10:30 a.m.-noon PST. According to an institute press release, the webcast is designed to bring alternative fuel industry experts together to provide the latest information on funding, products, and legislation related to specific markets: …
Another Biodiesel Plant on the Way for New Mexico
Just as I posted the article on New Mexico’s State House passing a biodiesel standard, I found this AP story in the High Plains Journal that says a 75-million-gallon-a-year plant will be built near Clovis to convert animal fat from feedlots into biodiesel: Dallas-based American Renewable Fuels, a subsidiary of Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd., plans to begin construction on its …
NM Legislature Moves on Biodiesel
The New Mexico House has passed a measure that would require all diesel vehicles to use at least 5% biodiesel. Under Rep. John Heaton’s bill, all state agencies and public schools would be required to buy the 5% blend starting after in about three years. All diesel vehicles, public and private, would have the requirement after July 1st, 2012. The …
Vision 2020
Biofuels will play a major role in the soybean industry for the next 10 to 15 years under the United Soybean Board’s Soy 2020 released Friday morning at the Commodity Classic in Tampa, Florida. The objective of Soy 2020 was to “create a vision for the future of U.S. soybeans that would be a complete collaboration and that would ultimately …
‘Tis the Season for Biodiesel Incentives
State legislatures across the country are considering bills to promote the production and use of alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. In a story in the Beatrice (NE) Daily Sun, the National Biodiesel Board says 35 states have a total of 135 biodiesel-related bills pending… including one in Nebraska that would pay producers 30 cents for every gallon of …
Kinder Morgan Makes Major Biodiesel Investment
Houston-based energy company Kinder Morgan says it will spend $100 million to expand its biodiesel terminals in Houston, New Orleans, and New York City. According to a press release posted on the Kinder Morgan web site, Green Earth Fuels will build biodiesel production facilities at several Kinder Morgan terminals and already has underway an 86 million gallon facility in Houston …
UN Panel Recommends Increased Biofuels Use
The United Nations Foundation has released a report outlining a “roadmap for reducing risks from climate change.” Among the report’s recommendations are “mproving efficiency in the transportation sector through measures such as vehicle efficiency standards, fuel taxes, and registration fees/rebates that favor purchase of efficient and alternative fuel vehicles” and “expanding the use of biofuels through energy portfolio standards and …
Arkansas Legislature Moves Forward on Alt Fuels Incentives
The Arkansas State Legislature’s Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development today approved a measure that will provide $20 million in incentives for alternative fuel development. The Pine Bluff (AR) Commercial reports in this story (about halfway down) that House Speaker Benny Petrus’ bill would split the money with $16 million going to companies to develop the fuels and …