Florida will host the 3rd annual Infocast Cellulosic Ethanol Summit to be held in November. The first two summits were held in Washington DC, but organizers say “the transitional stasis of a federal election year and the accelerated ambition of the states to pursue their own alternative fuel programs, prompted a venue change to Florida which is rapidly proving to …
Virginia Plant to Make Ethanol From Barley
A Virginia company is moving forward with plans to construct a barley-based ethanol facility which would be the first large-scale fuel ethanol plant in the state. Osage Bio Energy plans to build Appomattox Bio Energy facility in Hopewell, Virginia with groundbreaking scheduled for Friday, October 3. The ABE facility is designed to produce 65 million gallons per year of ethanol …
New Ethanol Ad Campaign
The Renewable Fuels Association has launched two new television commercials this week stressing the benefits of today’s domestic renewable fuels industry. Entitled “Faces” and “Places,” the two 30-second spots feature real Americans from Hereford, Texas who are actively leading America toward a more secure energy future. In “Faces,” local Hereford residents explain why ethanol is critical to America’s energy future. …
15 Percent Ethanol Solution
The American Coalition for Ethanol is proposing a solution to gasoline disruptions and higher prices caused by recent hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico – a 15 percent solution of ethanol. In a posting on the ACE blog this week, they note that Hurricanes Gustav and Ike have caused nearly a quarter of U.S. fuel production to be shut down, …
Food and Fuel Forum in KC
The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is holding a forum on Food and Fuel next month to examine the challenges and opportunities of meeting food and fuel demands. The forum will feature both agricultural and food business leaders, including representatives from the National Corn Growers Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, the American Bakers Association, and the Food and Agricultural Organization. …
Sapphire Closer to Green Crude Production
Sapphire Energy is another step closer to bringing algae-based Green Crude Production to commercial scale with additional financing from existing and new investors, including an investment holding company owned by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates. The latest investments bring the company’s total funding to substantially more than $100 million, and Sapphire is now financed to scale up its production facilities to …
First Step for Ethanol-Producing Microbes
A team of researchers from Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering and Mascoma Corporation say they have found a way to produce genetically engineered bacteria that ferment cellulose to produce ethanol more efficiently. The group reported last week that, tor the first time, they have been able to genetically engineer a thermophilic bacterium, capable of growing at high temperatures, and this …
Updated Biomass Energy Website
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy recently updated the website for its Biomass Program and is seeking feedback from those interested in biofuels. The Biomass Program works with industry, academia and national laboratory partners on a portfolio of research in biomass feedstocks and conversion technologies. Through research, development, and demonstration efforts geared at the …
Corn Growers Promote Mid-Level Ethanol Blends
Corn growers are supporting the promotion of mid-level ethanol blends to provide consumers who drive flex-fuel vehicles with more options. “True fuel flexibility means that drivers should have more of a say,” said Steve Ruh, chairman of the National Corn Growers Association’s ethanol committee. “Mid-level blends allow consumers to customize the fuel they use so they can save money, boost …
State Provides Boost for Cellulosic Ethanol Project
A $14.7 million grant from the state of Iowa was welcome news last week to the company working on a commercial cellulosic ethanol project in the state. The grant was approved last week by the Iowa Power Fund Board for POET’s Project Liberty in Emmetsburg. The funding will help with research, development and demonstration costs for the integrated biorefinery. POET …