There’s a new player on the block in the alternative energy group sector: The American Biofuels Council. Sean O’Hanlon is the executive director for the new group that he says has gotten a better-than-expected response in their first few months of existence. In an interview with energy.agwired.com, he explains that his council is different than other groups such as the …
Investors Still Want Alt Energy
Investors still seem to have quite an appetite for alternative energy… but their tastes might be changing a bit. This AP story posted on Forbes.com says energy sources such as solar and wind have made some gains, while ethanol investments became somewhat flat: According to IPOHome.com, 115 companies went public in the U.S. during the first half of the year. …
Dakota Skies Turn Dark
Just less than a year ago, the prospects for a biodiesel plant in Minot, North Dakota seemed pretty promising as the state’s governor, a U.S. Senator, and North Dakota’s ag commissioner attended the groundbreaking at the Dakota Skies Biodiesel plant. But a decision by the Minot Area Development Corporation, which donated the land for the plant in the first place, …
Soybean Acres Drop Despite Biodiesel Rise
In what might be considered a bit counter-intuitive, U.S. soybean acres planted have dropped to the lowest level in 12 years… despite increased interests in biodiesel… a product that often uses soy oil as its feedstock. This story posted on Forbes.com says the culprit is more farmers switching to corn to make the even more popular ethanol: The USDA reported …
E85 Amendment Passes Committee
A congressional committee has added an amendment to the Energy Bill that would require U.S. Government gas pumps to offer E85 ethanol. This release from the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition says Michigan Democrat Representative Bart Stupak’s measure would direct federal agencies to install pumps for renewable fuels like E85 at their fleet fueling centers: “I was pleased the Committee accepted …
US FEW Report
US Farm Report was on location this week at the 2007 Fuel Ethanol Workshop in St. Louis. Agribusiness Director Al Pell taped a segment of the weekly show on the trade show floor. His guests were ICM, Inc. president Dave Vander Griend, National Corn Growers Association chairman Gerald Tumbleson, and BBI International CEO Mike Bryan. The segment will be part …
FEW Award for POET
The chief science officer for POET received the 2007 Award of Excellence at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop this week. Steve Lewis accepted the award during Wednesday’s general session. The award was established in 2000 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the fuel ethanol industry through their research, technical advisory and/or development activities. Lewis has 22 years of …
Growing Corn Acres
The latest report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that acreage planted to corn this year is now estimated at 92.9 million acres, up 19 percent from 2006 and 14 percent higher than 2005. Farmers increased corn plantings 3 percent from their March intentions, resulting in the highest planted area since 1944 when 95.5 million acres were planted for …
Speaker Declares “Energy Independence Day”
Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have rolled out an energy plan during what they tout as America’s “Energy Independence Day.” The Houston Chronicle reports Speaker Nancy Pelosi outlined a broad array of “green energy” proposals her party hopes to get through Congress before leaving for the August recess: “When it comes to energy, we must think big,” Pelosi …
Plan for First Ethanol Plant on Great Lakes a Go
The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority in Ohio has given the green light to the proposed construction of an ethanol plant… the first with direct access to the Great Lakes. This story from the Toledo (OH) Free Press reports the plant is to be built on a site on the Maumee River: “We are very pleased that the Port Authority feels …