Just a few ethanol industry pioneers were present at the first Fuel Ethanol Workshop in St. Louis some 23 years ago. This week, attendees at the 2007 FEW filled the floor of the America’s Center arena, numbering more than 5200, with over 700 exhibitors filling the expo hall. “How many in this audience were here at that very first one?” …
Coming up in Just a FEW
The 23rd International Fuel Ethanol Workshop is just a few days away now. It is being held next week in St. Louis and Domestic Fuel will be on-hand to cover the opening general session on Wednesday. Highlights of the opening session include a national update on ethanol from Bob Dinneen with the Renewable Fuels Association, as well as presentations on …
Lack of Funding for Biofuels Research Concerns Ag Secretary
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns is disappointed with the 2007 Farm Bill he sees developing in the House Agriculture Committee for a number of reasons. One of them is lack of funding for cellulosic ethanol research. Johanns says the farm bill proposal put forth by the administration boosted cellulosic ethanol research funding by $1.6 billion and had over $2 billion in …
Biofuels Focus of Farm Improvement Act
Encouraging development of cellulosic ethanol is one of the main goals of the bi-partisan American Farm Improvement Act of 2007 introduced by Florida Congressmen Tim Mahoney and Adam Putnam. The bill seeks to jumpstart the alternative energy market by eliminating multiple, conflicting definitions of “biomass,” “cellulosic ethanol,” and other terms relating to the emerging biofuels market. The American Farm Improvement …
Iowa Summer of E85
As summer officially begins, events in Iowa to promote and expand the use of E85 are shifting into high gear. The American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest reports that Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge will address a workshop at Wallace Auditorium in Des Moines for 100 managers and directors of state-owned vehicle fleets on Thursday, …
Pioneer Revs Up for Iowa Indy
Team Ethanol partner Pioneer Hi-Bred International sponsored an appearance of ‘Discover Ethanol,’ complete with the Team Ethanol IndyCar simulator, at the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Des Moines this past weekend to promote the upcoming Iowa Corn Indy 250, the inaugural IndyCar Series race in Iowa. Iowa-based Pioneer, a subsidiary of DuPont, teamed up with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council …
E is Indy
The slogan for the Indy Racing League is “I am Indy,” and that’s especially true for ethanol producers who are proud to be a part of this great sport. This month’s “Fill up, Feel Good” features comments from Tom Branhan of Glacial Lakes Energy, Don Endres of VeraSun Energy, Todd Lucey of Endress+Hauser, Team Ethanol car driver Jeff Simmons, and …
Blame Energy Prices for Higher Food Costs
According to a new analysis of food, energy and corn prices conducted by John Urbanchuk of LECG, LLC, “rising energy prices had a more significant impact on food prices than did corn.” In fact, rising energy prices have twice the impact on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food than does the price of corn, according to the report. “Energy …
Ford E85 Escape Hybrids
The first E85 Escape Hybrids are hitting the streets this week, as Ford Motor Company delivered three of 20 new vehicles Wednesday to the Department of Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition. RFA president Bob Dinneen was all smiles as he climbed into the driver’s seat of the new vehicle which combines hybrid and flex-fuel …
Team Ethanol Doing Well
Number 17 Team Ethanol car driver Jeff Simmons was a lap leader for five laps at the Texas Motor Speedway this past weekend, a career record for him. He finished sixth in the Bombardier Learjet 550k, behind winner Sam Hornish, Jr., Tony Kanaan, Danica Patrick, Dario Franchitti and Vitor Meira. Overall, Jeff is doing pretty well this year, 11th in …