The Illinois Corn Growers Association today unveiled two landmark studies on ethanol that conclude production of the biofuel leaves a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline and has substantial room for growth without affecting corn supply to the food and feed sectors. Dr. Steffen Mueller, principal research economist at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Energy Resources Center, studied the carbon …
Ag Chief Addresses Concerns About Loans to Ethanol Plants
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer met with livestock, dairy, and feed grain organizations on Monday to explain how some rural businesses – including both ethanol plants and livestock industries – may be eligible for the USDA’s Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program. “We walked through the B&I loan guarantee program, which has been used by their memberships, and we assured them …
Ethanol Powered Super Car
A British company has developed a hot new sports car that can run on ethanol. The description for the new Climax on its website is pure poetry: Inspiration for the design came from the legendary Cooper Climax F1 car of the 50’s and is drawing on Britain’s vast Motor Sport Heritage while keeping a firm eye to the future. It …
Food and Fuel Forum in KC
Representatives from both sides of the food versus fuel debate discussed the issue on Friday in Kansas City during a forum held by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City. Speakers included USDA Undersecretary Tom Dorr; editor Morton Sosland of Sosland Publishing Co.; and Randy Schnepf, agricultural economist with the Congressional Research Service. The panel moderated by Mike Adams of …
Ohio Ethanol Plant is 26th for POET
The world’s largest ethanol producer opened a third plant in Ohio on Friday. POET Biorefining – Marion is POET’s 26th ethanol plant, bringing the company’s total annual capacity to 1.54 billion gallons. Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) joined company representatives and local dignitaries for the opening ceremony. “I could not be more proud of POET’s commitment to Ohio agriculture and Ohio …
South Dakota Corn Sponsors Ethanol Bowl
The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council is partnering with Northern State University to present the First Annual Ethanol Bowl next month. The premiere event will feature the NSU Wolves facing Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rivals the Augustana Vikings on November 8 at Clark Swisher Activities Complex in Aberdeen, S.D. “Northern State looks forward to celebrating a growing industry in our …
Ethanol Not Driving Food Prices
A Reuters report from the UK today quotes an economic expert as saying higher food prices this year were driven by speculators, not ethanol. Heavy demand for corn from ethanol makers was seen as a key driver of corn futures to record highs in June, but since then the sharp decline of corn along with other commodities shows that belief …
Candidates on Ethanol
Over the past two weeks, key energy advisors to the McCain and Obama presidential campaigns have shared their views on ethanol with Agritalk Radio host Mike Adams. Heather Zichal, the policy director for energy, environment and agriculture for the Obama campaign spoke on behalf of Senator Obama, while Jim Moseley, former Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture and …
USDA Clarifies Ethanol Plant Loan Comments
Comments made to the press last week by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer regarding the possibility of USDA loans to ethanol plants that have been hurt by commodity market speculation this year have caused quite a stir. USDA has been working to get the word out this week to clarify that this is not any kind of a “bail out” …
Pilot Switchgrass Ethanol Plant Breaks Ground
A new pilot plant that broke ground in Tennessee last week will be testing the use of switchgrass as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol. Genera Energy is a partnership between the University of Tennessee and DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC, a joint venture formed this year by DuPont and Genencor to commercialize cellulosic ethanol. On hand to celebrate the groundbreaking …