Investments in ethanol plants are growing across the nation to areas with larger populations, according to a new report, “U.S. Ethanol,” by Rabobank. Grainnet reports by the first quarter of 2009, more than 200 ethanol plants are expected to be in production, which represents a capacity increase of more than 91 percent during a three-year time frame. Much of this …
Nebraska Ethanol Tops a Billion Gallons
The recent opening of the U.S. BioEnergy ethanol plant in Ord pushed total ethanol production capacity for the state of Nebraska over the one billion gallons per year mark, according to the Nebraska Ethanol Board. Todd Sneller, administrator of the Board says, “With 16 ethanol plants producing a billion gallons a year, Nebraska is taking its place as a leader …
Sweet Export
Dallas-based Maple Energy is planning to plant 20,000 acres of sugar cane in Peru to produce ethanol for export to the United States and Europe. According to this story from the Houston Chronicle, Maple plans to begin growing sugar cane on the acreage in northern Peru next year with a goal of producing 30 million gallons of ethanol a year. …
An Escape for Missouri Governor
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has joined the ranks of the chosen few who are test driving the Ford Escape Hybrid. Ford has produced just 20 of its hybrid-electric, flex-fuel Escapes that can run on E85 fuel and Ford Manager Tony Reinhart made the presentation to Blunt last week at the Missouri State Fair. Blunt says the specially-equipped Escape will help …
VeraSun Rising
Illinois Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama made a stop in Charles City on his five day tour of Iowa last week to help cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the third ethanol plant for VeraSun Energy. Obama says ethanol “ultimately helps our national security because right now we’re sending billions of dollars to some of the …
Sugar Could Sweeten Ethanol Portion of Farm Bill
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 …