The main focus of the Florida Farm to Fuel Summit in St. Petersburg last week was getting biofuels production going in the Sunshine State. President/CEO Alan Banks of Losonoco, Inc, the company building Florida’s first ethanol plant in Bartow, says he wants to talk to citrus people about alternative crops for empty acreage and citrus by-products that can be used …
Michigan in the Cellulosic Race
Mascoma Corporation of Cambridge, Mass. is planning to build a cellulosic ethanol facility somewhere in Michigan by the end of 2009, putting that state in the race to be the first in the nation to produce ethanol from wood on a commercial scale. Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm joined Mascoma Corporation CEO Bruce Jamerson in making the announcement. “Mascoma’s decision …
New Team Ethanol Driver Debut
Ryan Hunter-Reay said he would be happy if his first IndyCar Series race ended with a “top 6 or 7” finish and he got his wish. He finished seventh, overcoming some mechanical problems in practice. “It felt great. The first time out in these cars with no testing and to finish in the top seven feels like a win for …
Cellulosic Ethanol Toast
There was reason for a cellulosic ethanol celebration at the second annual Farm to Fuel Summit held in St. Petersburg last week. In this photo released from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, UF Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Jimmy Cheek (left), UF Distinguished Professor of Microbiology Lonnie Ingram (center) and Verenium Vice …
Simmons’ Statement
Now former Team Ethanol car driver Jeff Simmons released a statement this week after being replaced on the Rahal-Letterman team. “I want to thank everyone involved in the Team Ethanol program for all of their support and friendship. I was honored to be a part of the program and to have the opportunity to carry on Paul Dana’s vision. I …
Florida Getting Ethanol
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) both had a presence at the Florida Farm to Fuel Summit this week in St. Petersburg. Matt Hartwig with RFA (pictured at the podium) drove home the growth of the ethanol industry, the economic importance and what RFA has been doing in Washington to help the industry …
Florida Farm to Fuel
Government and industry leaders addressed a sold-out crowd at the second annual Farm to Fuel Summit in St. Petersburg on Thursday. Florida governor Charlie Crist told the group that fuels made from agricultural commodities have reached the tipping point in terms of public acceptance. “It’s finally registered with everybody that this is something that is not only good for the …
Renewable Energy Investment
Total global investment in renewable energy technologies was 25% higher last year compared to 2005, topping $100 billion, according to a United Nations Environment Programme analysis. The report attributes the sector’s boom to a range of global concerns – climate change, increasing energy demand and energy security foremost among them. It credits as well the November 2006 U.S. mid-term elections, …
Women and Ethanol
Women are heavy purchasers of fuel and most say they are willing to buy alternative fuels, but a recent survey indicates they need more information to make that choice at the pump. The survey was conducted by sending 9,000 emails to women readers of magazines published by Meredith Corporation, which includes some of the oldest and most popular, such as …
Ethanol and Energy Security
Weather-related problems that have caused damage to refineries in the Midwest have highlighted the need to diversify our nation’s transportation fuel needs. This issue is not only important for consumers who are feeling the pinch at the gas pump, but also for our country’s overall energy security. This edition of “Fill up, Feel Good” discusses ethanol’s benefits in terms of …