As farmers start to make planting decisions for the coming year, many with an eye towards increased corn acreage to meet the demand for ethanol, seed companies are promoting varieties that have traits best suited for ethanol production. Garst Seed Company has announced that 18 of their corn hybrids fall under the company’s ExtraEdgeTM designation, meaning they “exhibit grain characteristics …
All Boys Love Big Toys
Ethanol power was on display at the recent Big Boy Toy Show in Sioux Fall, SD. From planes to big trucks to race cars, it was all there for both big and little boys (and girls!) to enjoy. A special attraction for all was Team Ethanol IndyCar® Series driver Jeff Simmons and the show car simulator. Kids of all shapes …
Global Warming Expedition Kickoff
Legendary explorer Will Steger kicked off his Global Warming 101 Expedition this past weekend at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Team Ethanol IndyCar® Series driver Jeff Simmons was among those on hand to see the expedition off, since the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is a major Global Warming 101 sponsor. He got a chance to make friends with one …
Consumers Can Help Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil
During the 2007 State of the Union address, President Bush made it very clear that ethanol has a vital role to play in our nation’s long term energy independence goals and public education will play a key role in the continued adoption of renewable fuels. This edition of “Fill Up, Feel Good” discusses what consumers can do to help the …
Groups Urge Congress to Fund Cellulosic Development
The American Farm Bureau Federation and several other ag and industry organization are urging Congress to include adequate funding for two programs that will move cellulosic ethanol closer to reality – the biorefinery grant program and the cellulosic loan guarantee. According to a release,The two programs were created under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The biorefinery grant program has …
Carnegie Mellon Research Could Improve Ethanol Efficiency
Carnegie Mellon University chemical engineers say they have found a new way to improve the efficiency of ethanol production. According to a university release, Carnegie Mellon researchers have used advanced process-design methods combined with mathematical-optimization techniques to reduce the operating costs of corn-based bio-ethanol plants by more than 60 percent. The key to the Carnegie Mellon strategy involves redesigning the …
Purdue Scientist Honored by President
A senior research scientist from Purdue University was among those honored to attend the President’s State of the Union address last week, thanks to her groundbreaking work in cellulosic ethanol. According to BoilerStation.com, Nancy Ho was asked to attend the event by the White House and sat near First Lady Laura Bush. “I will treasure this all my life,” Ho …
Fuel for Thought at EPCOT
General Motors and Disney have teamed up to bring the wonder of fuel cell technology, hybrid vehicles and ethanol-powered cars and trucks to life with the newly opened “Fuel For Thought” display at Walt Disney World Resort’s Epcot® theme park near Orlando, Florida. According to GM, “Fuel For Thought” is comprised of interactive kiosks and games, a special floor projection, …
New Officers For NEVC to Continue Record Growth
The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition recently elected new officers for 2007. The new chairman of the organization is Greg Krissek of ICM, Inc. and Vice-Chairman is Bernie Punt of Siouxland Energy Livestock and Coop. NEVC reports a dramatic increase in E85 infrastructure in 2006, assisting in the establishment of 569 new stations in 2006 to a total of 1,087 as …
Florida Ethanol Plant President Sees Bright Future
The president of Florida’s only ethanol plant under construction was a featured speaker in Indian River citrus country this week. Bradley Krohn of U.S. EnviroFuels plans to use corn from the Midwest to produce ethanol for a 40 million gallon a year plant at Tampa Bay, but he believes there is good potential for Florida producers to grow alternative crops …