First Ethanol Co-product Report Due Soon

John Davis

USDA NASS logo
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 Board. NASS contacted approximately 9,400 livestock operations in 12 states to determine whether they used ethanol co-products – including distillers grains and corn gluten feed – in their feed rations in 2006. NASS collected information regarding the volume and type of co-products fed, how the co-products were procured and used, and what concerns and barriers may have prevented operations from feeding co-products.

USDA will release the results on Friday, June 29th at 3:00 p.m. You will be able to see those results on the National Ag Statistics Service web site.

Ethanol, Government, News

Biodiesel Promotion and Quality Assurance Act Introduced

John Davis

Sen. Richard DurbinU.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) is the sponsor of a new measure designed to ensure that a portion of America’s future diesel fuel supply is renewable.

NBB logoIn a release from the National Biodiesel Board (of course, the NBB heartily endorses this bill), the Biodiesel Promotion and Quality Assurance Act would up the amount of biodiesel and “bio-based replacement diesel” that refiners blend into diesel to 1.25 billion gallons by 2012:

“Biodiesel is a fuel that holds great promise in terms of moving our country toward energy independence,” Durbin said. “This bill will create incentives for producers and consumers alike and will allow this important alternative fuel source the chance to become a mainstream alternative to foreign oil.”

Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA), Thomas Carper (D-DE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) are co-sponsoring the bill. And as mentioned above, the measure has the endorsement of the NBB:

Joe Jobe“This legislation would set a floor for biodiesel demand, which will help ensure that the promising biodiesel industry continues delivering benefits to America,” said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. “In addition to economic growth and pollution reduction, biodiesel delivers fuel refining capacity, something this nation desperately needs. Having a demand floor in place will help provide needed stability and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which benefits all Americans.”

If passed, oil refiners would blend 450 million gallons of biodiesel and bio-based replacement diesel starting next year with the 1.25 billion gallon goal by 2012. The biodiesel would also be required to be registered through the Environmental Protection Agency in line with the Clean Air Act, and would have to have an ASTM standard. There would also be a federal inspection program to ensure quality standards set by ASTM.

Biodiesel, Government

US BioEnergy Celebrates Ethanol Plant Ground Breaking

John Davis

US BioEnergyThis 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 ethanol plant:

The US must look to a long-term solution to lessen its dependence on foreign oil and decrease gasoline’s negative impact on the environment. Ethanol is a home-grown solution that is better for the environment, while creating jobs within the US. All cars that run on gasoline can safely use gas blended with 10% ethanol. Over the coming years, automotive manufacturers are expected to continue increasing the number of flex-fuel vehicles that will run on 85% ethanol. It’s clean, it’s safe and it’s the future.

Here’s some details of the ceremony:

WHEN: Friday, June 15, 2007
11:00-11:45 Groundbreaking Ceremony

WHERE: Trinity Lutheran School Gymnasium
501 North Main Street
Janesville, MN

energy.agwired.com plans to get some photos from the event, so check back to see more.

Ethanol, News

Ford E85 Escape Hybrids

Cindy Zimmerman

The first E85 Escape Hybrids are hitting the streets this week, as Ford Motor Company delivered three of 20 new vehicles Wednesday to the Department of Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition.

RFA HybridRFA president Bob Dinneen was all smiles as he climbed into the driver’s seat of the new vehicle which combines hybrid and flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) technology.

“The combination of hybrid and flex-fuel technology in one vehicle enables increased energy independence and reduced carbon emissions like no automobile before,” said Dinneen. “Ford has introduced a vehicle that runs primarily on ethanol created by our nation’s farmers, and then, with its hybrid power train, travels further on every gallon of that renewable fuel. This is an important achievement in the drive towards sustainable, secure energy.”

The experimental Escape features an electric motor that powers the vehicle at low speeds and a gasoline internal combustion capable of running on fuel blends up to 85 percent ethanol kicks in a higher speeds, according to Sue Cischke, Ford’s senior vice president, Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering.

“Although we currently do not have plans to produce the Escape Hybrid E85, the research from this technology could lead to breakthroughs in even more advanced technologies,” said Cischke.

Bond HybridU.S. Senators Kit Bond (R-MO), Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) joined Ford for a press conference on Capitol Hill to announce the new hybrid and talk about alternative fuels.

“Every gallon of biofuels grown in the Midwest means a gallon of oil we do not need to import from the dangerous Middle East,” said Bond. “We can and should do more to reduce pollution from vehicles. Ford today is showing its leadership in clean and efficient vehicles with a first-ever hybrid SUV that will also run on biofuels.”

(Read more on the Ford E85 Escape Hybrids from Ford, RFA and Senator Bond’s office. Thanks to Matt Hartwig of RFA for the photos.)

Car Makers, E85, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Government, News

Propane Helping Out Dairies

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike Peacock and Kirk MorrowHere’s an interesting application for propane that targets the dairy industry from a company that’s known for making gas fired appliances.

One of the companies that the Propane Education & Research Council is working with on some projects is Rinnai. One thing they’re doing that is real interesting is tankless water heaters.

As you’ll hear in my interview with Mike Peacock (left) and Kirk Morrow, they’re working with PERC on a project with some dairies to showcase how their technology can benefit the farm. Essentially they say it allows the dairy to replace boiler systems that can break down causing the dairy to be without hot water until it gets fixed. Their systems don’t have many moving parts and so they last a long time. Additionally they’re working with the dairies on some other applications like floor heating which would help northern dairies in the winter to keep floors from becoming slick and animals from slipping.

In my interview with Mike and Kirk they also provide some explanation of just how this tankless system works. You can listen to my interview with them here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/propane/propane-days-07-morrow-peacock.mp3]

Audio, Propane

Propane Powered Mowers

Chuck Zimmerman

Manchester TankWe think of propane as a cooking or heating fuel but how about mowers?

I met Chris Row with Manchester Tank here at Propane Days and we talked about mowers. Chris says that his company is working with several OEM’s to bring propane powered mowers to market. I think they’re focusing on mower fleets primarily at this point. He says they want to help build mowers that will run smoothly over rough terrain.

One of the benefits to using propane he says is in theft prevention. That’s not something I think most of us would think of but it’s a lot harder to steal propane than gas. He says that propane is also good from an environmental standpoint since if someone accidentally spills it you don’t have groundwater contamination. Chris also points out that with high gas prices right now propane is an economical alternative.

Chris says that his company is working with the Propane Education & Research Council to promote this idea and they’re hoping to start a project with a national park or university to help showcase what can be done with propane in this application.

You can listen to my interview with Chris here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/propane/propane-days-07-row.mp3]

Audio, Propane

Propane Days and PERC

Chuck Zimmerman

Roy WillisThis morning I met with the President/CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council, Roy Willis. He was on hand at the sessions taking place for the 3rd Annual Propane Days here in Washington, DC. Roy says PERC’s goal here is to help educate policy makers so that they make good decisions based on sound science and research.

I asked him to highlight some of their projects that he is especially proud of in the area of agriculture. They include what he calls thermal cultivation which is using heat/steam/flame to control pests in a variety of farm applications. He says this has a special interest to anyone growing organically since it reduces or eliminates the need for chemicals. Irrigation done with propane powered engines is another area that he mentioned as well as safety programs geared to agricultural audiences. He also mentioned that discussions are underway to see how propane can be used in tractors and combines.

One of the things I aske him about was where this fuel comes from. I think a lot of people wonder that. You see that’s it’s widely available but where do we get propane? To start with it’s a naturally occurring hydrocarbon that we mainly get as a by-product of the natural gas or oil refining processes. He says that over 90 percent of our propane comes from these sources which are domestic. Another area that holds promise includes bio-propane which would be made from a biomass production process. PERC is actively involved in this work with a project in Japan. One thing he wants people to know is that propane represents a very sustainable supply of fuel now and in the future.

You can listen to my interview with Roy here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/propane/propane-days-07-willis.mp3]

Roy ended our discussion by saying that the slogan, “Exceptional Energy,” is taken by PERC as a promise to their customers and a challenge to the staff to deliver a superior, safe product.

Audio, Propane

Trucking With Propane

Chuck Zimmerman

Tom ArnoldAs I promo’d last week, I’m here in Washington, DC at Propane Days. The Roush F-150 Propane Injection Truck is the first thing I got to learn about since it was on display right outside the hotel where the main program is taking place. To learn all about it I interviewed Tom Arnold, director, Roush Manufacturing. He says that the unit is available for sale. I thought it was interesting to note that it has an under-bed fuel tank. This is a full size truck that can be used for any application.

It sounds like using propane to fuel you vehicle right now would be an economical alternative to regular gas or diesel. It’s also supposed to be one of the cleanest burning fuels.

This is just one example of the projects that the Propane Education & Research Council has been involved in and is featuring here at Propane Days on Capitol Hill.

Audio, Propane, Video

Michigan Utility to Buy John Deere Wind Power

John Davis

John Deere logoA Michigan utility has inked a 20-year deal to buy renewable energy from John Deere.

According to this story on IndustryWeek.com, Wolverine Power Cooperative will get the power from Harvest Wind Farm, LLC… principally owned by John Deere:

The wind farm, which has been under development for three years, is slated for Huron County, Michigan.

John Deere Wind Energy is planning to begin construction of the 32-turbine project this summer, with commercial operation scheduled for early 2008. Wolverine is purchasing renewable energy from the Harvest Wind Farm project for sale to its six member-companies and their retail customers.

John Deere, Wind

Senate Considering New Ethanol Legislation

John Davis

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:

Bob Dinneen“Record-high gas prices, continued unrest in oil-producing regions of the world and the fragility of America’s oil refining complex underscore the necessity of developing renewable alternatives to fossil fuel,” said Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen.

“This bipartisan bill strikes an appropriate balance to continue the momentum spurred by the 2005 energy bill while providing the necessary incentives to bring next generation ethanol technology to the commercial market.”

Dinneen continued, “This bill is to cellulosic ethanol what the 2005 energy bill was to grain ethanol.

The legislation would have a new renewable fuels standard of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel each year by 2022, loan guarantees for alternative fuel refineries to include cellulosic ethanol, grants for to build renewable fuel corridors, a study looking at the feasibility of building an ethanol pipeline, and a study on the impacts of using higher than 10 percent ethanol blends.

Ethanol, News