One former and two current Democratic presidential candidates are sponsors or co-sponsors of a bill introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) intended to expand consumer access to 85 percent ethanol fuel, or E-85. Primary sponsors of the bill with Klobuchar include Barack Obama, (D-IL), Kit Bond (R-MO), George Voinovich (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL). Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE), Debbie Stabenow …
No New Records
Apparently no new records to report, but ethanol production still remains strong, according to the latest figures. The Renewable Fuels Association reports that production of domestically produced ethanol in March averaged 384,000 barrels per day while demand was 414,000 barrels a day, which is an increase over last year by 83,000 b/d in production and 34,000 in demand.
US BioEnergy Makes New Move Into Millennium
US BioEnergy Corporation, one of the largest producers of ethanol in the United States, just got bigger. The company has agreed to acquire Millennium Ethanol, which is constructing a 100 million gallon ethanol plant near Marion, South Dakota, expected to begin production in the first quarter of 2008. With this acquisition, US BioEnergy will have 8 plants in 6 states …
Energy Crop Incentive Bill
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has introduced legislation aimed at helping farmers near biorefineries begin growing dedicated energy crops. According to Thune, the Biofuels Innovation Program Act would offer farmers incentives to grow crops, such as switchgrass and fast-growing trees, for use as cellulosic ethanol feedstocks. “Cellulosic ethanol, produced from homegrown sources like corn stover, wheat straw, switchgrass and wood chips, …
2007 Farm to Fuel Summit
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson has scheduled the second annual “Farm to Fuel” summit July 18-20 at the Marriott Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg. Hoping to build on recent developments in Florida’s efforts to establish a renewable energy industry, Bronson said the meeting will cover current initiatives relating to ethanol and bio-diesel, as well as other …
Letter from Ethanol Crusader
I received this letter yesterday from a self-proclaimed “ethanol crusader” in Florida. It was pretty long, but here is an edited version with her key points: Hi Cindy, keep up the good work. I’ve recently join the Movement “Florida Needs Ethanol”.com. Today (Memorial Day) I drove around to distribute fliers to several gas stations. Mostly the small ones like Race …
New MO Ethanol Plant Plans
The Missouri Corn Growers Association reports that a new ethanol plant is in the works for northeast Missouri. Mississippi Valley BioEnergy, LLC (MVBE) announced that it plans to build a 100 million gallon per year dry mill production facility near West Quincy. MVBE recently signed a letter of intent with ICM, Inc. to provide services related to the design, construction …
The Greening of Indy
When the green flag drops this weekend, over 300 million people across the globe will be watching and listening live as the ladies and gentlemen start their engines for the greenest Indy 500 in history. This month, the “Greening of Racing” has really been in the spotlight, with major events at the National Press Club and the Chicago Board of …
New York Opens E85 Station
Flex-fuel vehicle drivers in the Empire State now have at least one place to fill up with 85 percent ethanol. The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) reports that Campus Mobil, located near the State University of New York Albany campus, held a grand opening for the first public E85 pump this week. KNC Holdings, the company which operates Campus Mobil, …
Invitation to Ethanol Summit
The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) is extending an open invitation to the Ethanol Summit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this Thursday, May 24 from 9:30 to 11:00 am. The purpose of the summit is to provide information to the media and the general public about the benefits of ethanol and its use as the official fuel in this …