C Boyden Gray, the American representative to the European Union, says his country won’t be considering any ban on ethanol production for fuel. The US program has come under some fire for using a food source, corn, to make the fuel source, ethanol. Forbes.com reports his comments came during an international conference in Brussels, Belgium: ‘The only way to stop …
Green Celebrities
OK, I’m not talking about Kermit the Frog or even The Riddler – Frank Gorshin (although he was more of a green wearer, and not actually green in hue on the old Batman TV show). But as the world gets ready to hold Live Earth, nine concerts across the globe expected to attract an audience of two billion people to …
Cellulose Poised to Unseat Corn as Ethanol King
Corn-based ethanol, right now, is the king of the alternative energy world, but experts say ethanol made from cellulose is the next big thing on the horizon. This story on CNN.com says while lawmakers in Washington, DC are debating a far-reaching energy bill with lots in it pertaining to renewable fuels, they want more of those biofuels to come from …
Iowa State, DNR Study Biodiesel
Iowa State University and Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources will study biodiesel and compare the different blends for engine performance and emissions. This story in the Sioux City (IA) Journal says they’re getting money from the Central States Air Resources Agencies to conduct the study: ISU’s Center for Transportation Research and Education will test and quantify performance of blending different …
Willie Helps Celebrate SeQuential’s 2nd Birthday
Wilie Nelson will help SeQuential Biofuels celebrate its second anniversary of biodiesel production at an event tomorrow morning (July 6th) at 10:30 at the SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel plant in Salem, Oregon. This company press release points out that SeQuential is Oregon’s first and only commercial biodiesel production facility and only the second in the entire Pacific Northwest: “Oregon has always been …
Georgia Cellulosic Plant Gets Permit
Range Fuels has been awarded a construction permit from the state of Georgia to build the first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in the United States. According to the company, ground breaking will take place this summer in Treutlen County, Georgia for a 100-million-gallon-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant that will use wood waste from Georgia’s forests as its feedstock. Phase 1 of …
Green Racing in Watkins Glen
The scenic community of Watkins Glen, NY will once again play host to the Green Grand Prix on July 6 as hybrid and alternative fueled vehicle owners highlight energy independence and a cleaner environment. The Green Grand Prix features a road rally held on a 78-mile course around the perimeter of beautiful Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of …
Illinois State to Offer Renewable Energy Degree
The flux in high-tech jobs in the renewable energy field has prompted Illinois State University to look at offering a bachelor’s degree in the field. This article in the Matoon and Charleston, Illinois Journal Gazette Times-Courier says the degree would offer studies in biofuels, wind, and solar power: If approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, ISU will launch …
NASCAR Could Switch to Alternatives
NASCAR is looking at switching to some form of alternative fuel for its racers… but what kind is still up in the air. This article in the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times says NASCAR’s chief Brian France made the announcement during his annual midseason conference call: France said because there are “eight or nine different versions of what alternative fuels mean …
Impact of Ethanol Seminars
The Grain & Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI) is hosting two seminars to outline the impact ethanol is having on grain elevators. According to the GFAI web site, the seminars will happen on August 13th at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham and August 14th at the Mendota Civic Center in Mendota: University of Illinois professors Darrel Good and …