Ethanol and biodiesel are experiencing what some are calling a “gold rush” as the biofuels have seen dramatic jumps in usage… and investors… to the green technology.
This column from Renewable Energy Access.com says, in the U.S., tax incentives have helped grow the biodiesel market by a whopping 1000 percent in just a two year stretch between 2004 and 2006:
An unholy alliance of characters is merging to promote biofuels. On the left, we have Woody Harrelson, Barack Obama, and Tom Daschle. On the right, we have Dubya (George W. Bush), his brother Jeb (a founder of the Inter-Americas Ethanol Commission), the former CIA director James Woolsey, a Christian coalition for environmental protection, and yes – believe it or not – Chevron, Marathon, Shell and British Petroleum all participating and actively promoting the biofuels sector for various business and regulatory reasons.
The article points out that things are poised to get even bigger as Pres. Bush unveiled his “20 by 10” plan, where the U.S. would switch to 20 percent biofuels by the year 2010. It’s the most ambitious renewable fuel plan in the world, and the author seems a bit surprised it came from an oil guy like Bush… but it seems to be a pleasant surprise.
The column finishes pointing out that growth for biofuels will be a good thing for all parties involved: Democrats and Republicans, hippies and capitalists:
But despite our innate human desire to cheer for a team like the D’s or the R’s, we should really be cheering for the B’s-the biofuels advocates, like Al Gore, Dubya and BioWillie who are part of the energy independence solutions instead of part of the problem. They are walking the walk, not just talking the talk. Why? Tax incentives for biodiesel and ethanol companies, are good and we will be able to fill ‘er up with cleaner fuels at more petrol stations if these tax incentives continue.
Interesting column. Give it a read by clicking here.
US Steel is expanding its use of biodiesel, first at its Gary, Indiana plant and then at other US Steel facilities across the country.
The Renewable Fuels Association has released a video to help first responders in case they have to fight an ethanol-fueled fire. The educational video, titled “Responding to Ethanol Incidents,” gives firefighters and ethanol plant operators important information on proper materials needed to fight potential ethanol incidents.
“A dedication to safety has always been the foremost concern of the U.S. ethanol industry,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “With the industry growing at such a rapid rate, it is imperative that our nations’ first responders have the proper education and training to assist in an emergency at a moment’s notice. By making the video available to view on our website, we hope to communicate this message to first responders who have ethanol plants in their communities. On behalf of the RFA, I am confident that the availability of this DVD will help to combat any ethanol-related emergencies in the future.” 
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The Consumer Federation of America, a consumer watchdog group, says big oil companies are trying to stop the growth of the ethanol industry… and Big Oil is using consumers’ pocketbooks in the fight.
Add Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to the list of folks who suddenly seem to be a friend of ethanol. Just like in 
The National Biodiesel Board today called for passage of the U.S. House’s version of the Farm Bill – H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 – especially the parts referring to biodiesel. 
“The NBB believes these energy initiatives are critical in continuing to make biodiesel an important part of a diverse energy portfolio,” said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. “As the bill moves forward, we will continue to work with our partners in Congress to ensure that necessary funding is provided for these programs, and that the Bioenergy Program is ultimately structured in a manner that will best help the U.S. biodiesel industry reduce America’s reliance on foreign oil.”
A middle school student from Merritt Island was in the spotlight at the 2007 Florida Farm to Fuel Summit last week in St. Petersburg for her work in making biofuels.
The main focus of the Florida Farm to Fuel Summit in St. Petersburg last week was getting biofuels production going in the Sunshine State.
“We have the only existing fuel ethanol plant in Florida,” said Banks. “With an aim of being up and running by the summer of 2008. For that, we need about four million bushels of something.”
“In the longer term, in my judgment, the fuel of the future is going to be hydrogen,” Dorgan said. “I’m a big fan of the biofuels, I’m a big fan of ethanol, I believe it’s enormously important that we’ve invested in wind energy. But I believe —especially in the longer term — our grandkids need to be driving vehicles that put water vapor out the tailpipe and have twice the efficiency of power to the wheel. That comes with hydrogen fuel cells. It allows us to say to the Saudis and the Kuwaitis and others, ‘We don’t need your oil.’”