The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen visited with farmers, friends and the farm media at the 2011 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois this week. Dinneen has been traveling around the Midwest this month and says he is always amazed by the ability of the nation’s farmers to do their job, no matter what Mother Nature …
Energy Helps Fuel GROWMARK Business
At their annual meeting last week in Chicago, the GROWMARK system reported record sales of $8.5 billion for 2010-2011, with the 2nd highest net income ever at $182 million.. Chairman of the board Dan Kelley, an Illinois grain farmer, says it has been a very good year for GROWMARK and agriculture in general. “Agriculture has been one of the stellar …
REG Distributing Biodiesel at Minnesota Refinery
Biodiesel is now available via truck and rail from the Renewable Energy Group’s (REG) newly acquired Minnesota production facility, REG Albert Lea, LLC. The first truckload of biodiesel was picked up August 25 for the Trail’s Travel Center truck stop in Albert Lea along I-35. REG VP Gary Haer says customers have the option to pick up either B99 or …
Missouri Leads in Ethanol Blender Pump Plans
Missouri has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the leader in ethanol blender pumps. During the Missouri State Fair, an official from USDA’s Rural Development agency paid a visit to recognize Missouri as the national leader in renewable energy. Through a partnership with the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC), the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives and the …
Biofuels USA Opens on I-70 in Missouri
The red, white and blue God Bless America Biofuels USA banner has been waving at motorists on I-70 in Missouri for several weeks now. On Friday, the new biodiesel station at exit 175 in New Florence held its official grand opening, offering a variety of home grown choices for diesel vehicle drivers. “We have ten pumps, three different flavors of …
Ethanol Safety Seminar in Ohio
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Ohio Clean Cities Coalition, and the Earth Day Coalition’s Clean Transport Program will be co-hosting a free Ethanol Safety Seminar in Cleveland and Painesville, OH on Monday, August 22nd. “Ohio produces 424 million gallons of ethanol annually between the six biorefineries in the state,” said Robert White, RFA Director of Market Development. “As the product …
Abengoa Gets DOE Loan Guarantee for US Biomass Plant
Abengoa Bioenergy has been selected by the US Department of Energy for a $133.9 million federal loan guarantee to build a new generation commercial scale biorefinery facility to produce renewable liquid fuel from plant fiber, or cellulosic biomass. With the offer of a conditional commitment now received, Abengoa Bioenergy has announced that they intend to start construction shortly on the …
POET Forms Biomass Alliance with Earth Partners
POET announced a new alliance this week with The Earth Partners to develop “a sustainable supply of biomass that helps restore degraded land.” The project, called Conservation Biomass, will initially be used for heat and power generation and eventually liquid fuel production. As part of their ongoing ecological restoration work, The Earth Partners will work with farmers and conservation property …
Sobering Cost of Oil Addiction
A CNN Money report this week offered some sobering statistics on the true cost of our addiction to oil. According to the report, about 3,000 of the Army casualties reported in Iraq between 2003 and 2007 were protecting fuel convoys. That is one out of eight killed or wounded during that time period. The report notes, “Among the many incentives …
Electric Cadillac
General Motors has brought luxury and electricity together in an electric Cadillac ELR. According to GM, the “Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.” Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced …