As I was driving into Emmetsburg, IA last night I saw this plant off in the distance. I’m pretty sure this is the POET Emmetsburg ethanol plant. Actually, it’s the AGP soybean processing plant. The POET plant is behind it from the direction I took the photo. I’m here in town for today’s Project LIBERTY field day. We’re supposed to …
Renewables Have Mixed Results at Polls
Renewable energy proposals had mixed results in yesterday’s elections, with Missouri easily passing one measure but California rejecting two others. This entry from the InformationWeek blog has details: In Missouri, Proposition C was passed, requiring investor-owned electric utilities “to generate or purchase electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower with the renewable energy sources equaling …
One VeraSun Plant Opening Delayed
The opening of one VeraSun ethanol plant is now in limbo since the company filed for bankruptcy. VeraSun announced that it is indefinitely delaying the startup of its 110 million gallon per year ethanol biorefinery in Janesville, Minnesota but will continue operations at its 14 facilities across an eight-state region. Construction on the Janesville facility is nearly completed and the …
ADM and Brazilian Company to Produce Sugarcane Ethanol
Archer Daniels Midland Company and Brazilian agricultural company Grupo Cabrera have formed a joint venture to produce ethanol from sugarcane. The joint venture will construct two processing complexes, each consisting of a sugarcane plantation, a sugar mill, an ethanol distillery and a biomass- powered cogeneration facility to provide power and steam. The complexes will be located in Limeira Do Oeste …
USDA Under Secretary Resigns
The exodus of appointees under the Bush Administration has begun. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced the resignation of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas Dorr. “Tom Dorr has been a transformational leader for USDA Rural Development,” Schafer said. “As the transition to a new Administration continues in the months ahead, senior leaders will be moving on, but …
Ethanol Pleased with Election Results
The Renewable Fuels Association wasted no time today in congratulating Barack Obama on his victory. “Throughout this campaign, President-elect Obama has reiterated that American farmers and ethanol producers are a critical component of our national strategy to help reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil,” RFA said in a news release. “We look forward to working with an Obama Administration and …
Ethanol and an Obama Presidency
What will an Obama presidency mean for ethanol and other biofuels? In August of 2007, when no one was really expecting him to even get the Democratic nomination, Obama headlined the grand opening of VeraSun’s Charles City, Iowa ethanol plant. At the time he said that ethanol “ultimately helps our national security because right now we’re sending billions of dollars …
Biodiesel, Wind & Solar Powered Hotel Offers True “Green” Acres
Looking to get away from it all… including the dependence on foreign oil? Well, a cozy little hotel on Virginia’s Eastern Shore might just be the ticket for you. This story from The Chief Engineer says Thomas “Spess” Neblett, the owner and creator of The Neptune Vacation Suite Apartments in the quiet little town of Onley, Va. (population 450), says …
PA. Biodiesel Mandate Awaits Sustained Triggers
Pennsylvania’s 2 percent biodiesel mandate, passed earlier this year, is on hold, despite the fact that the state is meeting a 40-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel production threshold. This story from Biodiesel Magazine explains that there are some certification and sustainability measures that must also be met for the requirement to kick in: Conditions that need to be met above and beyond the …