Cellulosic ethanol maker SunOpta has received a $30 million investment from international financing firm BlackRock. More details of the plan issuing non-dividend bearing, convertible preferred shares was announced in a company press release: Murray Burke, President of SunOpta BioProcess Inc. commented, “This financing represents a strong endorsement of our technology and leadership position in cellulosic ethanol. Proceeds will be used …
First Ethanol Co-product Report Due Soon
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has set June 29th as the date for its first-ever report on how livestock producers are using ethanol co-products for cattle and hog feeds. This from the USDA’s web site: The report, entitled Ethanol Co-Products Used for Livestock Feed, will highlight results of a survey conducted by NASS with the support of the Nebraska Corn …
US BioEnergy Celebrates Ethanol Plant Ground Breaking
This Friday, officials with US BioEnergy including CEO Gordon Ommen, along with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Fagen, Inc. CEO Ron Fagen, Minnesota Corn Growers Association Vice President Roger Moore, and local officials will celebrate the groundbreaking of a 100-million-gallon-a-year ethanol plant at Janesville, Minnesota. The ceremony starts at 11:00 a.m. In a release, US BioEnergy explains the importance of this …
Senate Considering New Ethanol Legislation
The U.S. Senate is considering a bill this week that would continue to promote investment in traditional ethanol production while also pushing investments in research, technology and infrastructure for cellulosic ethanol production. This article on Grainnet.com says the bill has the backing of the Renewable Fuels Association: “Record-high gas prices, continued unrest in oil-producing regions of the world and the …
Ethanol Likely to Pass Goal
Officials with the National Corn Growers Association say the U.S. is on target to reach a 15-billion-gallon-a-year production goal… much earlier than the original 2015 goal. In fact, NCGA President Ken McCauley tells the Kansas City Star that goal could be reached as early as 2011 or 2012: That reflects the growing confidence within the ethanol industry about its prospects …
Energy, Ag Departments Announce $18 mill in Biofuels Grants
Eighteen million dollars in government grants are up for grabs as the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy announce solicitations for biomass research and development. This press release from USDA’s web site says the money will go to researching and developing biomass-based products, biofuels, bioenergy and related processes: “Making these funds available represents this Administration’s ongoing commitment to promoting clean …
GAO Says Energy Department Lacks Biofuels Plan
Congress’ financial watchdog, the Government Accountability Office, says the U.S. Department of Energy lacks a plan for how to match up increased biofuels production with infrastructure and vehicles to use the green fuels. This highlight report on the GAO web site says that America’s reliance on oil poses significant economic and environmental risks. But ethanol and biodiesel could replace oil …
POET VP Nominated to I-CARES
Vice President for POET’s Research & Development division, Dr. Mark Stowers, has been tapped to the external advisory committee of the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability… also known as I-CARES. According to a POET press release, the Washington University in St. Louis-based I-CARES will encourage and coordinate university-wide and external collaborative research in the areas of renewable …
Team Ethanol Doing Well
Number 17 Team Ethanol car driver Jeff Simmons was a lap leader for five laps at the Texas Motor Speedway this past weekend, a career record for him. He finished sixth in the Bombardier Learjet 550k, behind winner Sam Hornish, Jr., Tony Kanaan, Danica Patrick, Dario Franchitti and Vitor Meira. Overall, Jeff is doing pretty well this year, 11th in …
Michigan’s BIG Program Installing Biofuels Pumps
That’s the Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program that gets federal money to help gas station owners/operators install E-85 and B20 (or higher percentage) pumps to encourage the Earth-friendly fuels. The latest was a station the Quick Sav Food Store in Swartz Creek. That station got about $8,400 to put in the new pumps… one of six stations in Michigan that received …