The opening of one VeraSun ethanol plant is now in limbo since the company filed for bankruptcy. VeraSun announced that it is indefinitely delaying the startup of its 110 million gallon per year ethanol biorefinery in Janesville, Minnesota but will continue operations at its 14 facilities across an eight-state region. Construction on the Janesville facility is nearly completed and the …
ADM and Brazilian Company to Produce Sugarcane Ethanol
Archer Daniels Midland Company and Brazilian agricultural company Grupo Cabrera have formed a joint venture to produce ethanol from sugarcane. The joint venture will construct two processing complexes, each consisting of a sugarcane plantation, a sugar mill, an ethanol distillery and a biomass- powered cogeneration facility to provide power and steam. The complexes will be located in Limeira Do Oeste …
Ethanol Pleased with Election Results
The Renewable Fuels Association wasted no time today in congratulating Barack Obama on his victory. “Throughout this campaign, President-elect Obama has reiterated that American farmers and ethanol producers are a critical component of our national strategy to help reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil,” RFA said in a news release. “We look forward to working with an Obama Administration and …
Ethanol and an Obama Presidency
What will an Obama presidency mean for ethanol and other biofuels? In August of 2007, when no one was really expecting him to even get the Democratic nomination, Obama headlined the grand opening of VeraSun’s Charles City, Iowa ethanol plant. At the time he said that ethanol “ultimately helps our national security because right now we’re sending billions of dollars …
Mini-Refiner Produces Ethanol and Biodiesel
Texas-based Allard Research and Development is now selling the “world’s first mini-refinery” for consumer use that produces both ethanol and biodiesel. This post from the gas2.0 blog says it can crank out up to 120 gallons per day of ethanol and 450 gallons per day of biodiesel: Consisting of two pieces of equipment — an ethanol boiler and the mini-refinery …
Ethanol Demand Continues to Outpace Production
According to the latest Energy Information Administration figures, ethanol facilities were producing 647,000 barrels per day in August, up from 614,000 in July. The Renewable Fuels Association reports that demand continued to outpace production, with demand in August calculated at 661,000 barrels per day, which exceeds 10 billion gallons a year. “This demand is approaching the legal limit of ethanol …
Biomass Ethanol Website Launched
A web site dedicated to the exchange of information on switchgrass and other biomass energy crops has been launched at BiomassConnections.com. “The focus of the site is to allow producers and stakeholders to openly share ideas and experiences gleaned from raising and marketing switchgrass and other biomass energy crops,” says site host and switchgrass farmer Andy Bater. “Our intention with …
VeraSun Receives Financing
One of the country’s largest ethanol producers is getting financing in place to maintain operations at 14 plants in eight states under Chapter 11 reorganization. VeraSun Energy Corporation reports it has received commitments for up to $215 million in debtor in possession financing and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court entered an interim order allowing VeraSun and its affiliates to borrow up …