Financial analysts are predicting dire times for the ethanol boom now that higher corn prices and lower gas prices are putting the squeeze on industry profits. A Reuters UK article quotes from a Credit Suisse report that predicts a lower completion rate for planned ethanol plant projects. “Back in July 2006, a new plant would have commanded returns in the …
ND Ethanol Plant to Run on Borrowed Steam
An ethanol plant under construction in North Dakota will be first plant in the country to use steam from a nearby power plant to generate heat instead of having its own boilers. Blue Flint Ethanol, a joint venture between Great River Energy and Headwaters Incorporated, is in the process of building a 50 million gallon per year dry mill ethanol …
Making Ethanol From Barley
Barley is another crop that has the potential to be part of the next generation of ethanol. North Dakota’s Farm and Ranch Guide reports that it was a topic at last week’s 2007 Dakota Grains Conference in Bismarck. Dr. Kevin Hicks, Agricultural Research Service, new hulless varieties and processing technologies such as pearling may make barley a desired crop for …
Who is E85 Inc.?
E85 Inc. is a name that has been popping up in cities from New Jersey to New Mexico – a company that reportedly “plans to build a billion-dollar string of ethanol plants.” The Seattle Times did some research to find out who is behind the company and what they hope to accomplish. Mark Dassel, E85’s senior vice president, says there’s …
Media Rates Bush Energy Record
News coverage in advance of the president’s State of the Union address Tuesday is comparing the rhetoric of last year’s speech to what has really been accomplished so far when it comes to energy independence. The Associated Press reports President Bush is expected to renew concerns about energy security in his State of the Union address. But will the rhetoric …
E85 Moves Down Under
Saab has become the first car maker to introduce a flex-fuel vehicle in Australia. Saab officials say the BioPower program will help them gauge demand for ethanol powered vehicles and renewable fuels in Australia, even though E85 is not yet commercially available in the country. According to AutoWeb Australia, Saab introduced the vehicles this week at a promotional event in …
Three More Ethanol Plants For Iowa
A Dallas company plans to built three new ethanol plants in Iowa that could produce up to 300 million gallons of fuel a year. According to the Des Moines Register, Harvest BioFuels LLC is scheduled to begin construction of a plant near Galbraith in eastern Kossuth County in April, with onstruction of plants near Garner in Hancock County and near …
Bill Would Increase Biofuels Infrastructure
Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) this week introduced bi-partisan legislation designed to increase the availability of alternative fuels at the pump. According to Sen. Thune’s press office, the Alternative Energy Refueling Systems Act would provide for increased energy security for Americans by providing incentives for gas station owners across the country to install alternative fuel tanks, …
Biofuels at Green Week
It’s International Grüne Woche (Green Week) in Berlin, the annual global exhibition for the food industry, agriculture and horticulture. And while food has always been the focus of this event, fuel is stealing some of the thunder this year. Messe Berlin is the company that organizes Green Week and CEO Raimund Hosch welcomed agricultural journalists at the kickoff for the …
Reuters Global Biofuels Summit
Reuters News Service held a Global Biofuels Summit this week featuring industry leaders addressing a number of topics. Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla told Reuters that he predicts “a rapid rise in cellulosic ethanol production and utility-grade solar power.” Khosla says cellulosic technology is getting closer and closer to the market. “Remember, last year (cellulosic ethanol) was six to 10 years …