Officials in the state of Maryland have pledged to buy more vehicles that run on ethanol and biodiesel and triple the number of hybrids in the state’s fleet by 2011. This story in the Baltimore (MD) Sun says the Board of Public Works, which approved the policy, is welcoming the news as a way to make Maryland more eco-friendly: “Even …
POET Prepares For Indiana Grand Opening
Ethanol producer POET is getting ready to open yet another ethanol plant… this time, a 65-million-gallon-a-year facility near Portland, Indiana. When at peak capacity, the plant will use 22 million bushels of corn a year and join POET’s network of 20 plants (plus seven more in progress) in five states, making POET the the largest dry mill ethanol producer in …
Canadian Corn Farmers Get New Ethanol Market
Monsanto’s Gro-Ethanol Program, in conjunction with GreenField Ethanol, is giving corn farmers in Ontario a new market. This story posted on Marketwire.com says the program will encourage the corn to go to, of course, ethanol: The Gro-ethanol program, unveiled today at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, invites Ontario’s farmers to grow corn seed containing Monsanto traits, specifically for the ethanol market. …
Nebraska Economist Cites Needs for Ethanol Mandates
A University of Nebraska economist warns of the perils the ethanol industry faces if Congress does not approve new mandates for use. The Sioux City (IA) Journal says a new report, titled “Understanding Ethanol Plant Economics: Will Boom Go Bust?”, says ethanol plants will see their profits disappear over the next four years unless the new mandates prop up demand. …
Biofuels on Parade at Minnesota State Fair
Thanks to our friend Bob Moffitt, Communications Director, Clean Fuels & Vehicle Technologies Program, American Lung Association of Upper Midwest, for pointing us to his YouTube video about their “Path to Cleaner Air” exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair. It focuses on how “Biofuels like E85 (ethanol) and biodiesel are making Minnesota’s air cleaner and greener.”
Magnets Boost Ethanol Production
Brazilian researchers say they have had success using low frequency magnetic waves to boost the amount of ethanol produced from fermenting sugar. This story in Science Daily says the finding has the potential of significantly reducing the cost of producing ethanol: In a new study, Victor Perez and colleagues showed that yeast-based fermentation of sugar cane — the main source …
New Ethanol Book Highlights Contributions to Economy & Environment
The latest edition of the Ethanol Fact Book came out today, and highlights include ethanol’s contribution of thousands of jobs over the last two and a half decades, as well as the green fuel’s environmental performance. The Clean Fuels Development Coalition publishes the book, and it is available through the Ethanol Across America campaign. According to this story on Earthtoys.com, …
Team Ethanol Driver Secures 7th, Declared Rookie-of-the-Year
Looks like Team Ethanol Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay found a little bit of that grip he said his crew was looking for yesterday. Ryan finished 7th after starting the race from the 12th position. Not a bad finish for a rookie driver who joined the races mid-season. In fact, Ryan’s driving impressed the racing officials enough for them to award him …
EPIC Member Happy with Growth of Ethanol Fuel Consumption
It’s about getting ethanol fuel on the ground with more plants and more pumps for Ethanol Promotion and Information Council advising board member Troy Prescott. Troy is the President of the Cardinal Ethanol Plant in Winchester, Indiana. I spoke with Troy about the development of the ethanol industry at the Chicagoland race track a few hours before Sunday’s PEAK Antifreeze …
Race to Go Green Winners Call VIP Experience Unforgettable
Garage tours, autographs from Team Ethanol Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay and meeting Bobby Rahal of Rahal-Letterman Racing was just the beginning of the elite access for Race to Go Green Sweepstakes winners Jeffrey and Bud Carter. The brothers witnessed the finale of Canadian Club Driver Dario Franchitti’s winningest season, claiming the championship in four Indy Racing League races, including the Indy …