Top Ethanol Stories of 2011

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol industry developments in 2011 have set the stage for a new era. The Renewable Fuels Association has identified five top stories for the ethanol world from 2011 that will change the future. They are: 1. EPA approval of 15 percent ethanol for use in 2001 and newer vehicles 2. The end of the blenders tax credit and secondary tariff …

advanced biofuels, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, RFA

Biodiesel Consulting Group Expands

Cindy Zimmerman

Biodiesel consulting firm Lee Enterprises of Little Rock, Ark., has announced plans for expansion in 2012 into ethanol, biomass, wind, solar and geothermal, and the addition of consultants and strategic partners. “We are currently the world’s largest biodiesel consulting group, and most of our consultants and strategic partners are already very involved in the other alternative fuels,” said principal owner …

Biodiesel, biomass, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Geothermal, Solar, Wind

Post Office Goes Green for the Holidays

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Postal Service may be in the red but they’ve been promoting going green this holiday season. “The Postal Service is one of the greenest mailing and shipping companies in the world,” said Thomas G. Day, chief sustainability officer. The eco-friendly options offered by USPS include mailing and shipping supplies, free package pickup and holiday cards printed on recycled …

Electric Vehicles, Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Natural Gas, Propane

USDA Report Shows No Cropland Growth for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

The amount of land in the United States devoted to growing crops declined between 2002 and 2007, which indicates that increased ethanol production is not using up more land. According to the report, “Major Uses of Land in the United States 2007,” total cropland was down by 34 million acres in 2007 to its lowest level since 1945. Cropland accounted …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA, USDA

Ethanol Racing Fuel Firm Gets Paul Dana Award

Cindy Zimmerman

If not for the vision of Paul Dana that ethanol could fuel Indy Racing cars, Ignite Racing Fuel might never have existed. The Indiana company this week received the 2011 Paul Dana Excellence in Bioenergy Leadership Award from the state department of agriculture. The award was established to honor the memory of Indy Racing League driver Paul Dana who was …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Indy Racing

Congress Disappoints Biodiesel Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

Congress has failed to renew the biodiesel tax incentive that will expire at the end of this year and the biodiesel industry is hoping they will turn it around and act quickly in 2012 to save thousands of jobs that have been created thanks to the initiative this year. “We’re disappointed,” said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs for …

Biodiesel, Government

Nebraska Ethanol Producer to Buy Grain Elevator

Cindy Zimmerman

The grain business subsidiary of Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) is acquiring the grain elevator assets of a company in St. Edward, Nebraska. JW Grain holds 1.9 million bushels of state-licensed grain storage and is located approximately 40 miles from the GPRE’s Central City, Nebraska ethanol production facility. “We continue to seek out opportunities to expand our agribusiness segment that …

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Grains Council Promotes DDGS in China

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Grains Council recently held workshops in Guangzhou and Qingdao to promote the ethanol co-product distillers grains (DDGS) in China. “The day-long sessions were designed to provide an exchange of comprehensive DDGS market information, including discussions and analysis of the value of U.S. DDGS,” said Alvaro Cordero, USGC manager of DDGS. Cordero says they had 200 to 250 people, …

corn, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, USGC

New Ethanol Blender Pumps in Illinois

Cindy Zimmerman

Three new pumps that can dispense a range of ethanol blended fuel were officially opened in Princeton, Illinois last week. Growth Energy, Horizon Fuels, the American Lung Association and Marquis Energy partnered to help with the promotions and labeling for the three new Flex Fuel pumps at the Princeton Fast Stop. “It was time to upgrade our gasoline pumps, so …

blends, Ethanol, Ethanol News, GROWMARK, Growth Energy