Science is giving the desert regions of the world the chance to get in on the biodiesel boom. Oil-producing algae could hold more promise than conventional Midwestern crops now primarily used to make the green fuel. This story in the El Paso (TX) Times says a company called Valcent Products has unveiled to the media its system of 10-foot-long water-filled …
The Brotherhood of Biodiesel
As naysayers try to bash the promise of biofuels, a man in Washington state is doing his part to spread the word through his brotherhood of biodiesel. This story in the Othello (WA) Outlook says Bill Riley, the director of Big Bend Economic Development Council, has been making his own biodiesel for several years. He’s taking the approach that every …
Ethanol Stall
Business Week is reporting that Big Oil is trying to put the brakes on ethanol. In the October 1 edition on-line, the article entitled “Big Oil’s Big Stall On Ethanol” claims that oil companies “seem determined to fight the spread of E85, a fuel that is 85% ethanol and 15% gas.” At the same time the industry is collecting a …
Ethanol on the Cob II
Citigroup is presenting “Ethanol on the Cob II,” a biofuels conference, October 2 in New York City. A number of companies with a biofuels interest will be presenting at the event, including Bunge North America. Tim Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Bunge North America and Todd Bastean, Vice President & General Manager, Bunge North America Biofuels, will address the conference and …
Check out POET TV
The largest dry mill ethanol producer in the United States has now become the first to have its own YouTube site. POET has introduced POET TV to feature coverage of events, interviews and “anything else that gives you a deeper understanding of our company,” according to a post on POET’s blog Rhapsody in Green. Our focus for POET TV is …
Financial Firm ING Purchaes Wind Credits
Dutch-based insurer and financier, ING Group, will buy wind energy credits to make up for the power it will use at its American locations. This article in the Hartford (CT) Courant says the company is having to buy the wind energy credits because it can’t directly buy the wind power for its properties: Initially, the Dutch financial services firm will …
PA Gov. Touts Need for Alternative Fuels
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has unveiled his plan to his state legislature to increase the use of renewable fuels in Pennsylvania. Now, to follow up that call, Rendell has made a call to Beaver County, PA at will be the biggest producer of biodiesel in the state. This story in the Beaver County Times-Allegheny Times has more details about Rendell’s …
Biodiesel Booming in the Stock Market, Too
Midwest farmers and truckers, as well as environmental enthusiasts, have long admired the green benefits of biodiesel… green because of how clean it is and green because of the money it saves its users. Biodiesel gets 30 percent better mileage than gasoline (although, I realize the engines are different, and you can’t make a direct comparison between the two). This …
Fueling America
CNN.com has an interactive special report called “Fueling America” that features information on a variety of alternative fuel and energy source with a relatively objective viewpoint – simply putting it out there and pointing out some pros and cons. There is also a good article on CNN about the lack of ethanol production outside of the Midwest. Outside the country’s …
Play the “Stalk” Market
UseCorn.com has introduced a Virtual Stock Trading program on its website that explores the ethanol industry and other companies related to the renewable fuels market. According to Use Corn’s Dave Clark, “The program simulates actual stock trading, and the user-friendly interface is both inspiring and entertaining.” The UseCorn Virtual Stock Trading program features some of the ethanol and industry related …