A Malaysian company is building what it says is the world’s first plant to commercially produce ethanol from nipah palm trees. The Associated Press reports that Pioneer Bio Industries Corp. Sdn. Bhd. is building the plant in northern Perak state to extract ethanol from the sap of the nipah tree, scientifically known as Nypa fruiticans and found in abundance in …
Biofuels Big Topic at Farm Bureau Meeting
The demand for corn to make ethanol is expected to keep growing, which is creating challenges for livestock producers. Both farmers and ranchers are meeting this week in Salt Lake City for the 88th American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting and biofuels has already been the main topic of discussion. Calling ethanol a “bull on the loose,” USDA Chief Economist …
FUEL For Georgia
Georgia’s first ethanol plant broke ground this week in Mitchell County. First United Ethanol, LLC – or FUEL, as it is better known – has been in the works for almost two years, according to chairman Murray Campbell, who says they will import corn from the midwest to produce ethanol initially. “Even though our facility in the corn belt, we …
Chicken Fat For Fuel
Chickens could provide a cheaper feedstock for biodiesel than soybeans. A new biodiesel plant being constructed in Southeast Missouri plans to refine chicken fat from a nearby Tyson plant into the fuel, according to an Associated Press report. Today, only a fraction of U.S. biodiesel is made from chicken fat, but that seems likely to change. The rising cost of …
Ethanol Growth Forecast Disputed
Lester Brown, founder of the Earth Policy Institute, held a press conference with reporters Thursday to warn that the government is underestimating the amount of corn that will be needed for fuel by next year. According to the Associated Press, Brown says nearly twice as much corn as the government has estimated will be needed from the 2008 harvest to …
Biofuels Legislation Introduced
First day of the new Congress and already biofuels legislation has been introduced. According to the American Coalition for Ethanol, U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) have introduced the Biofuels Security Act of 2007. Including many of the legislative priorities called for by the American Coalition for Ethanol, the bill places homegrown biofuels at the center of …
Clif Bar Promotes Cool Commute
Clif Bar – a California-based environmental advocacy company that makes energy bars – is paying cash to employees who buy cars that run on biodiesel. According to a company release, Clif Bar is paying 5-thousand dollars to employees who switch to 100 percent biodiesel for their commutes. The company also offers the same incentive for hybrid vehicles and other incentives …
Ethanol Creates Business Buzz in 2006
Farm Futures reports that venture capital firms more than doubled their investments in biofuels and other energy ventures in 2006, and even more is expected in 2007. According to DowJones Venture One, firms put $224 million towards energy ventures in 2005 – and $536 million in 2006’s first three quarters alone. Another estimate, by venture-capital firm Nth Power, puts the …
Biofuels Info From John Deere
John Deere is now featuring biofuels information for agricultural producers on its web site. The information includes a detailed biofuels reference report and 6.5-minute video that overviews John Deere’s position on the use of biodiesel. “John Deere has been an early advocate for biodiesel and continues to actively support its use,” says Don Borgman, director of agricultural industry relations for …