The final 2008 corn crop estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture released today confirmed that American farmers produced the second-largest crop on record with the second highest average yield per acre in history – despite adverse weather across the Corn Belt during the early part of the growing season and a late fall harvest. Corn for grain production in …
Introducing the Domestic Fuel Media Reviewer
We are introducing a new regular feature here on Domestic Fuel that will take a look at some of the many books and movies out there that take on the topics of environment, energy and renewables. Our Domestic Fuel book and movie reviewer is Joanna Schroeder, who has been the communications director for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (now …
Biofuels Focus at Farm Bureau Meeting
Biofuels have been a major topic of discussion at the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th annual meeting in San Antonio this week. A conference titled “The Growing Role of Biofuels for Today, Tomorrow and Beyond,” featured Brooke Coleman, executive director of the New Fuels Alliance and spokesperson for FoodPriceTruth. “Agriculture is the key to the new energy economy,” Coleman said. …
Ethanol Industry Outlook for 2009
2008 was a year that for the most part everyone would like to forget – including those in the ethanol industry. Now that 2009 is underway, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says there are still challenges ahead for the industry – but opportunities as well. That is the subject of this edition of “The Ethanol Report” podcast …
POET Producing Pilot Cellulosic Ethanol
The world’s largest corn ethanol producer is now successfully producing cellulosic ethanol at a pilot plant in South Dakota. According to company officials, POET Research Center in Scotland, S.D. is now producing cellulosic ethanol at a rate of 20,000 gallons per year using corn cobs as feedstock. “The start-up of the pilot scale facility has been extremely smooth,” said POET …
Economist Says Biofuels Demand Will Drive Crop Prices
An agricultural economist speaking to members of the nation’s largest general farm organization meeting in San Antonio this weekend said crop prices this year will be driven by demand for biofuels. Jim Sullivan of Informa Economics in Washington, D.C. told a crop outlook seminar at the American Farm Bureau Federation 90th annual meeting that the global recession will mean weakening …
Outgoing Ag Secretary Notes Biofuel Gains
The outgoing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture listed advancements in the renewable fuels industry among the accomplishments of the Bush administration over the past eight years. Speaking to reporters this week, Secretary Ed Schafer noted that growth in ethanol and biodiesel production have helped create “remarkable prosperity and growth in the agriculture economy” during the Bush administration. “Looking to the future, …
Cellulosic Ethanol Company Raises Capital
A company claiming to have the capability to produce “third generation” ethanol has raised $34 million to prove it. Colorado-based ZeaChem is developing a cellulose-based green fuels and chemicals biorefinery platform that converts renewable non-food biomass into market-competitive products such as ethanol. The new funds will be used to build ZeaChem’s first cellulosic biorefinery set to begin construction this year. …
Petroleum Chief to Address Ethanol Conference
The new president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute (API) will address the nation’s ethanol producers at the first industry conference of 2009. Jack Gerard, who was appointed head of the API in November, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker for the 14th Annual National Ethanol Conference: Policy & Marketing, which will be held February 23-25 in San …
Ethanol Report Year in Review
In this edition of the “Ethanol Report” podcast, we take a look at 2008 – a challenging year full of surprises for the ethanol industry. This report features comments from this past year made by Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President Bob Dinneen, RFA Chairman Chris Standlee of Abengoa Energy, former Secretary of Agriculture John Block, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, and …