A showdown over ethanol is brewing at the Organization of American States’ General Assembly meeting this week in Panama. According to this story in the Washington (DC) Times, the U.S. and Brazil are pushing an OAS paper promoting looking for alternative fuel sources in the Western Hemisphere, more specifically, ethanol, which the Americans and Brazilians are producing in the billions of gallons:
In a paper prepared to be delivered at the assembly, the OAS says that although the hemisphere is “endowed with abundant natural resources for energy production,” the bloc’s leaders should discuss alternatives to the region’s continuing dependency on fossil fuels.
In the case of the United States, it would mean reducing dependence on fuels originating in nations hostile to U.S. interests and promoting increased production of biofuels already widely used in countries such as Brazil, the world’s largest producer of sugar-based ethanol.
“The United States and Brazil are the world’s two largest biofuels producers, so cooperation is natural,” State Department spokesman on Latin American affairs, Eric Watnik, said in March. “Our goal is to advance global energy security by helping countries diversify their supply.”
Not surprisingly, on the other side of the issue is the U.S.-hating Hugo Chavez, leader of oil-rich Venezuela. He’s joined by Cuba’s Fidel Castro, and not too surprisingly, Mexico… which has great oil reserves of its own:
Increased demand for corn used to produce the starch-based version of ethanol made in North America has driven corn prices higher in recent months, subsequently raising Mexico’s tortilla prices.
Venezuela is the world’s sixth-largest exporter of oil, and the country’s anti-American president, Hugo Chavez, has been using its oil wealth to win the support of countries in the region. In the long run, the world’s reduced dependence on oil could lower Venezuela’s influence on international politics.
On empty in East Lansing? Runnin’ low near the Alamo? The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council or EPIC has an E85 station finder on its web site 
Congress is considering some proposals that would fund studies to figure out if pipelines that would carry ethanol and biodiesel are viable options. 
Nearly 50 years in the business of engine performance should be enough experience to earn one the title of “Auto Performance Expert.” Gale Banks with 
Clean energy innovator Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc has struck a deal with Stuttgart, Germany-based Bosch GmbH, a leading global supplier in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, customer goods and building technology, to allow Bosch access to key patents developed by Clean Diesel for selective catalytic reduction (SCR).
Dr. Walter Copan, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Clean Diesel (you might remember 
Ethanol continues to get more than its fair share of blame for higher food prices, but Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns urges people to look at the whole picture.
Vernon County lies in west-central Missouri on the Kansas border, with roads and rail lines that would easily connect the plants with farmers in both states supplying the corn and soybeans.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is on the forefront of developing plants that could be used as future energy sources through the 
“The Plant Material program began back in the middle ‘30s when the Soil Conservation Service was established,” Escheman said. “We are now getting into bioenergy where we are working with universities and other producers.”
There are 27 regional NRCS Plant Materials centers nationwide, including one in 
University of Missouri researchers are testing to see if glycerin, left over from biodiesel production, is a viable feed source for beef.
“We’re really looking at the energy value and how it compares to corn,” Kerley said. “When the animal consumes glycerin, it’s absorbed, and the glycerin is used to make glucose. Actually, it’s like feeding sugar to a cow. Because it’s liquid, there are two things we worry about – one, how much can be used in the diet before it changes the form of the diet; and two, is there a limit to how much glycerin can be processed by the animal? We’ll feed it to them for a period of 160 to 180 days.”