The EPA is hosting a free biofuels and sustainability webinar on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 from 9:30 am – 11:00 am PST that will provide a national and regional perspective on sustainability indicators and best practices throughout the biofuel supply chain. Specifically, the webinar will discuss the guiding principles of sustainability developed by the National Biodiesel Board, and examine policy …
Chemists’ Podcast Features Biodiesel from Sewage
A U. S. Environmental Protection Agency researcher says that biodiesel can be made from municipal sewage sludge that would cost about the same as diesel made from non-renewable petroleum. In the latest episode of the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) podcast series, “Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions,” the EPA’s David M. Kargbo says sewage treatment plants could use microorganisms that produce higher amounts …
Yeast Breakthrough Made for Cellulosic Ethanol
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have made a breakthrough that has some awfully big implications for cellulosic ethanol. They’ve been able to put genes from grass-eating fungi into yeast and created strains that produce alcohol from tough plant material: “By adding these genes to yeast, we have created strains that grow better on plant material than does wild …
USDA to Fund Rural Renewable Energy Studies
The USDA is providing funding to look at the feasibility of renewable energy systems for agriculture producers and rural small businesses. Grants of up to $50,000 each for a total of $3 million will be made available under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): “Renewable energy production represents a promising revenue source for America’s producers while meeting the nation’s …
Fed Grant to Help Turn Montana Biomass into Energy
A Montana company has picked up a $350,000 federal grant to build a plant that will turn wood chips and algae into energy. Algae Aqua-Culture Technology will use a proprietary process uses a greenhouse-based algae growth system and an anaerobic biodigester to transform a blend of the wood waste and algae into high-value methane for power generation: “Algae’s amazing productivity …
Ethanol Blender Pump Opens in Ord, Nebraska
A new ethanol blender pump opening in Ord, Nebraska was a big success last week. Country Partners Cooperative hosted a pump grand opening on Thursday, September 9 with specials on E10, E20, E30 and E85, door prizes and drawings will be held as well as a BBQ served by the local FFA chapter. Country Partner’s blender pump was financially supported …
Valero Corner Store Sells 85 Percent Ethanol
Valero Energy Corporation recently announced that one of its company-owned Valero Corner Stores in San Antonio has begun selling E-85, a blend of fuel consisting of up to 85 percent ethanol blended with unleaded gasoline for use in Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs). Valero also announced plans to continue introducing sales of E-85 at new Valero Corner Stores as they’re built. …
Record Corn Crop and More Ethanol Production
Some weather issues over the past month caused USDA to slightly lower the forecast for this year’s corn crop, but it is still expected to be a record at 13.16 billion bushels. The average yield was lowered due to average 162.5 bushels per acre, down 2.5 bushels from the previous month and 2.2 bushels below last year’s record of 164.7 …
Iowa Wins the Grid Iowa Game 35-7
Iowa has won the Grid Iron Game. I’m sure this is no surprise to most people….this year anyway. The final score was Iowa 35, Iowa State 7. Earlier today, I asked many of the Iowa corn growers who would win the game and I must admit, the majority picked Iowa. But the real winners today are the football fans who …