The 4th Annual 25x’25 Renewable Energy Summit is taking place in Omaha, NE. The theme is “Bringing the Vision to Life – Win-Win Solutions for America’s Energy Future.” I got it late this afternoon but will be here tomorrow. Yesterday Summit attendees got to take a tour of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s Agricultural Research and Development Center. They’re …
Helio in Iowa
Two-time Indy 500 winner and “Dancing with the Stars” champion Helio Castroneves was in Iowa Wednesday to promote the Iowa Corn Indy 250 on June 22. Castroneves drives for Team Penske in the IndyCar Series. This will be the second year for the ethanol-fueled race at the Iowa Speedway in Newton. The premier Iowa Corn Indy 250 last year was …
Ethanol is Helping Cut US Petroleum Demand
The latest report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) concludes that ethanol will reduce U.S. petroleum demand by 130,000 barrels per day this year. According to the EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook, “The slowing economy combined with high petroleum prices is expected to constrain growth in U.S. consumption of liquid fuels and other petroleum products to just 40,000 barrels per day …
Snowmobiles Running on Green Fuels
This year has been an exceptionally snowy one for much of the U.S., and some students in Michigan are making use of all the snow… while learning about the benefits of biofuels. The SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge is going on now through Saturday at Michigan Technological University’s Keweenaw Research Center at Houghton County Memorial Airport. The Daily Mining Gazette reports …
SD Gov Signs Biodiesel Tax Incentive
South Dakota consumers choosing to fill up with biodiesel will great a break on their gas bill. This story in the Rapid City (SD) Journal says Gov. Mike Rounds has signed into law a measure that will give a 2-cent per gallon tax break for every gallon of diesel sold with 5 percent biodiesel: “As diesel costs continue to skyrocket, …
Missouri Biodiesel Standard Moves Forward
The Missouri State Senate has passed a biodiesel standard that would require all diesel sold in the state to contain at least 5 percent biodiesel. This story in the St. Louis Post Dispatch says if it passes the Missouri House and gains the governor’s signature (which he has indicated he will sign it), it will be the highest biodiesel requirement …
Missouri Corn Growers Honor Governor
In honor of his commitment to renewable fuels, the Missouri Corn Growers Association has presented Missouri Governor Matt Blunt with this year’s President’s Award. This is the second year in a row that Governor Blunt received that award from the MCGA and the first time anyone has been a two-time recipient of the organization’s highest honor. “With our support for …
Karsner Promotes Domestic Fuel
I finally had the chance today to sit down and listen to the entire speech Assistant Energy Secretary Andy Karsner made at the National Ethanol Conference last month. He is quite the orator and he definitely got the crowd all fired up. If you can find 40 minutes to listen to it all, it is well worth the time. But, …
Production Begins at US Bio Marion
US BioEnergy‘s Marion, South Dakota ethanol plant has officially started production. According to the company, US Bio Marion began production in February. The company acquired the 110 million gallon per year plant while under construction in August 2007. This is the fifth ethanol plant for US BioEnergy. The others are located in Albert City, Iowa, Ord and Platte Valley, Neb., …
Survey Contest Winner
I’d like to thank all the people who completed our annual visitor survey and were entered into a drawing to win an iPod Nano. Your feedback and participation is very helpful. The winner of the contest is Alen Cegelske, Plant Manager, Bluegrass Biofuels in the great state of Kentucky. Here’s a little bit of information about them from their website: …