Ethanol producers facing the dilemma of not being able to ship much of their fuel through pipelines… but also not wanting to burn more fuel to make deliveries of the green fuel… have found the answer in an industry that can ship large quantities at a relatively cheaper price than semi-trucks: trains. This article in Business Week says the boon …
US Tells EU No Way on Ethanol Ban
C Boyden Gray, the American representative to the European Union, says his country won’t be considering any ban on ethanol production for fuel. The US program has come under some fire for using a food source, corn, to make the fuel source, ethanol. Forbes.com reports his comments came during an international conference in Brussels, Belgium: ‘The only way to stop …
Cellulose Poised to Unseat Corn as Ethanol King
Corn-based ethanol, right now, is the king of the alternative energy world, but experts say ethanol made from cellulose is the next big thing on the horizon. This story on CNN.com says while lawmakers in Washington, DC are debating a far-reaching energy bill with lots in it pertaining to renewable fuels, they want more of those biofuels to come from …
Georgia Cellulosic Plant Gets Permit
Range Fuels has been awarded a construction permit from the state of Georgia to build the first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in the United States. According to the company, ground breaking will take place this summer in Treutlen County, Georgia for a 100-million-gallon-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant that will use wood waste from Georgia’s forests as its feedstock. Phase 1 of …
Green Racing in Watkins Glen
The scenic community of Watkins Glen, NY will once again play host to the Green Grand Prix on July 6 as hybrid and alternative fueled vehicle owners highlight energy independence and a cleaner environment. The Green Grand Prix features a road rally held on a 78-mile course around the perimeter of beautiful Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of …
Illinois State to Offer Renewable Energy Degree
The flux in high-tech jobs in the renewable energy field has prompted Illinois State University to look at offering a bachelor’s degree in the field. This article in the Matoon and Charleston, Illinois Journal Gazette Times-Courier says the degree would offer studies in biofuels, wind, and solar power: If approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, ISU will launch …
NASCAR Could Switch to Alternatives
NASCAR is looking at switching to some form of alternative fuel for its racers… but what kind is still up in the air. This article in the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times says NASCAR’s chief Brian France made the announcement during his annual midseason conference call: France said because there are “eight or nine different versions of what alternative fuels mean …
Impact of Ethanol Seminars
The Grain & Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI) is hosting two seminars to outline the impact ethanol is having on grain elevators. According to the GFAI web site, the seminars will happen on August 13th at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham and August 14th at the Mendota Civic Center in Mendota: University of Illinois professors Darrel Good and …
Oregon Gets Ethanol, Biodiesel Mandates
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has signed into law two mandates for biofuel blending in his state. This story in the Oregonian says the package also includes tax incentives for producers and consumers: Gasoline sold in Oregon must be 10 percent ethanol after the state’s production of ethanol reaches 40 million gallons a year. Diesel fuel sold in Oregon must be …
Making Biofuels Cheaper & Faster
Being able to make biofuels cheaper, faster, and without the help of government subsidies seems to be the theme of some recent work by American researchers. This story in the Des Moines Register highlights a couple of programs, in particular, one by an Iowa State professor who has teamed up with the private sector to find a way to make …