The U.S. House’s version of the Farm Bill includes a provision where the federal government buys surplus sugar and sells it to ethanol producers to be used with corn. The program is designed to be a buffer against a North American Free Trade Agreement provision that will let Mexico export an unlimited amount of sugar to the U.S. starting in …
Pumped About E85
Tonight Show host Jay Leno is an equal-opportunity biofuels promoter. We recently pointed you to Jay’s on-line interview with Joe Jobe of the National Biodiesel Board. There is also a video on Jay Leno’s Garage about ethanol called “E85 Demystified.” The interview is with Gale Banks of Gale Banks Engineering, “Turbocharging Since 1958.” This guy is “an unadulterated gearhead with …
POET Breaks More Ohio Ground
POET held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for their third ethanol production facility in the Ohio. The site is located northeast of Fostoria. POET Biorefining – Fostoria is planned as a 60 million gallon per year facility which will consume 21 million bushels of locally grown corn. Mike Wagner, Executive Director of the Buckeye Renewable Fuels Association, said “We’ve been working …
Ord Opening
US BioEnergy Corporation this week celebrated the grand opening of the company’s newest ethanol plant in Ord, Nebraska. Nebraska Governor and current Chairman of the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition Dave Heineman joined US BioEnergy CEO Gordon Ommen, Ord Mayor Randy O’Brien and other local and industry dignitaries for the ceremony on Wednesday. “The reality for communities from coast to coast to …
UL Working to Certify E85 Pumps
Underwriters Laboratories says it will accept requests for certification investigations for gaskets and seals for use with concentrated ethanol-blended fuels such as E85. UL says it is on track to accept E85 dispenser products for testing by year-end 2007. In order to develop the requirements that will be used for certification, UL conducted a gasket and seal ethanol-blended fuel compatibility …
Looking Back to the Future
Fairgoers have the opportunity to reminisce about the customer service of old-time filling stations at the 2007 Missouri State Fair. Tad Whitten, owner of Motorsports Management, is displaying his replica of a 1933 Ethanol filling station at the fair. But, the exhibit is more than just a display. The old-fashioned filling station features skits throughout the day that are meant …
Florida Energy Summit
Florida continues to get more serious about increasing its role in alternative energy. Some major players, including US Sugar and Florida Power and Light, are sponsoring an Alternative Energy Summit on August 27 in Jupiter “to explore the role Florida will play in the dynamic field of alternative energy and how it can redefine the economic landscape.” Congressman Tim Mahoney …
Blue Flint Grand Opening
Blue Flint Ethanol, a joint venture between Great River Energy and Headwaters Incorporated, celebrated its grand opening Tuesday for a 50 million gallon per year ethanol biorefinery near Underwood, North Dakota. Unique to the U.S. ethanol industry, Blue Flint Ethanol is located adjacent to Coal Creek Station, a coal-fired electric facility, and is using the excess steam from Coal Creek …
The Power of Q
A naturally occurring microbe could hold the key to converting cellulose into ethanol in a single step, without the need for costly enzymes. SunEthanol of Amherst, Mass. is commercializing the discovery to produce ethanol from biomass in a simpler and more cost-effective manner. According to the company website, “SunEthanol has the full genome sequence of this remarkable microbe and is …
More E-85 for Iowa
General Motors, Governor Chet Culver and Kum & Go, L.C. today celebrated plans for the addition of 19 new E85 ethanol fueling locations to be opened throughout the state by the end of 2008. The new fueling locations will be promoted by GM as part of a broader, ongoing national GM campaign to boost the use and awareness of ethanol-based …