Ethanol Group to Name Co-Chairman

Cindy Zimmerman

Growth Energy has announced that it will name “a major national figure” this week as co-chairman of the recently formed ethanol advocacy group. According to a Growth Energy announcement, “This individual will bring foreign policy experience, environmental leadership, and political expertise to the organization and will be a strong advocate for policies that will help promote renewable energy and create …

Ethanol, Growth Energy, News, POET

Scientists Declare Biodiesel Support

Cindy Zimmerman

A new initiative was announced at the opening general session of the National Biodiesel Conference Monday – Scientists for Biodiesel. Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute founder Dr. Rob Myers made the announcement as co-chair of the campaign with Donald Danforth Plant Science Center President Roger Beachy. “Scientists sometimes have differences of opinion, but this declaration is intended to show the broad …

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB

Biodiesel Awards Presented

Cindy Zimmerman

Awards were presented at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Francisco Monday to people who have helped the industry grow. The winner of this year’s Impact Award from the National Biodiesel Board is Dr. Randall von Wedel of CytoCulture International, who has helped San Francisco become a leader in municipal use of biodiesel. NBB CEO Joe Jobe says Dr. von …

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB

New Holland Supports Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Biodiesel Conference is underway this week in San Francisco with the theme of “Leading Change Now.” One of the first companies to realize biodiesel’s potential for both farmers and farm machinery was New Holland, thanks to the influence of Gene Hemphill, manager of North American Industry Affairs for the company, pictured here (right) with National Biodiesel Board CEO …

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB, New Holland

Ethanol Leaves Rahal-Letterman in Limbo

Cindy Zimmerman

The loss of ethanol as a sponsor has left Rahal-Letterman Racing (RLR) without a car or a driver for the upcoming IndyCar Series season, but co-owner Bobby Rahal is still looking. In a statement responding to media reports this week, Rahal said, “As of this time we do not have any sponsorship that will allow us to compete in the …

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Ethanol 2009 Emerging Issues Forum

Cindy Zimmerman

An impressive line-up of national leaders in ethanol production, marketing, co-products, transportation, engineering, financing and environmental issues have been announced for the Ethanol 2009 Emerging Issues Forum, April 2-3 in Omaha. Organized by the Nebraska Ethanol Board, the Emerging Issues Forum is an annual regional conference for ethanol producers, marketers and related industries. Special topics this year will include ethanol …

conferences, Ethanol, News

Government Announces Biomass R&D Funding

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Departments of Energy (DOE) and Agriculture (USDA) today announced up to $25 million in funding for research and development of technologies and processes to produce biofuels, bioenergy, and high-value biobased products. “These projects will be among many Obama Administration investments that will help strengthen our economy and address the climate crisis. A robust biofuels industry – focused on …

biomass, Energy, Government, News, USDA

Latest 2008 Ethanol Production Estimates

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol production for 2008 is still expected to have exceeded the goal of nine billion gallons for the year, but not by as much as anticipated. While the industry was on track to produce about ten billion gallons for the year, the latest figures for November indicate it will be more like 9.1 billion. According to the Energy Information Administration …

Ethanol, News, RFA

Communicating Renewables Summit Set

Cindy Zimmerman

A summit aimed at helping renewable energy professionals communicate the good, green news about this growing industry is coming up this April in Minneapolis. This timely event is the first of it’s kind dedicated specifically to the success of communicators working in the alternative energy industry. The Communicating Renewables Summit 2009 will feature presentations on topics such as, How to …

Biodiesel, communications, conferences, Energy, Ethanol

Ag Secretary Answers Ethanol Questions

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack got questions about ethanol during his first official press conference Monday. Vilsack says he favors improving efficiency in ethanol plants in order to ensure that the industry survives the economic downturn. “We need to make sure that the biofuels industry has the necessary support to survive the recent downturn,” Vilsack told reporters. “The USDA should research, …

Ethanol, News, USDA