The IndyCar® Series held its first Open Test of the season Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway where for the first time all IndyCar Series cars ran on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol. Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Executive Director Tom Slunecka said the IndyCar® drivers he talked to in Daytona are proud to be a part of the change to a …
Truth and Tortillas
Truth About Trade & Technology has posted a Wall Street Journal commentary on the tortilla crisis in Mexico. The op-ed piece contends that the “cause of the corn price spike is too much government intervention.” The sharp increase in Mexican corn prices, which fueled the tortilla price spike, followed big price increases for corn on international markets over the past …
House Subcommittee Examines Alternative Fuels
The House Committee on Science and Technology Energy and Environment Subcommittee this week looked into the country’s readiness to meet the demands of alternative fuels. The subcommittee heard testimony relating to H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), pictured here on the floor of the House. According …
Seed Companies Promote Ethanol Varieties
As farmers start to make planting decisions for the coming year, many with an eye towards increased corn acreage to meet the demand for ethanol, seed companies are promoting varieties that have traits best suited for ethanol production. Garst Seed Company has announced that 18 of their corn hybrids fall under the company’s ExtraEdgeTM designation, meaning they “exhibit grain characteristics …
All Boys Love Big Toys
Ethanol power was on display at the recent Big Boy Toy Show in Sioux Fall, SD. From planes to big trucks to race cars, it was all there for both big and little boys (and girls!) to enjoy. A special attraction for all was Team Ethanol IndyCar® Series driver Jeff Simmons and the show car simulator. Kids of all shapes …
Global Warming Expedition Kickoff
Legendary explorer Will Steger kicked off his Global Warming 101 Expedition this past weekend at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Team Ethanol IndyCar® Series driver Jeff Simmons was among those on hand to see the expedition off, since the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is a major Global Warming 101 sponsor. He got a chance to make friends with one …
Consumers Can Help Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil
During the 2007 State of the Union address, President Bush made it very clear that ethanol has a vital role to play in our nation’s long term energy independence goals and public education will play a key role in the continued adoption of renewable fuels. This edition of “Fill Up, Feel Good” discusses what consumers can do to help the …
Groups Urge Congress to Fund Cellulosic Development
The American Farm Bureau Federation and several other ag and industry organization are urging Congress to include adequate funding for two programs that will move cellulosic ethanol closer to reality – the biorefinery grant program and the cellulosic loan guarantee. According to a release,The two programs were created under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The biorefinery grant program has …
Carnegie Mellon Research Could Improve Ethanol Efficiency
Carnegie Mellon University chemical engineers say they have found a new way to improve the efficiency of ethanol production. According to a university release, Carnegie Mellon researchers have used advanced process-design methods combined with mathematical-optimization techniques to reduce the operating costs of corn-based bio-ethanol plants by more than 60 percent. The key to the Carnegie Mellon strategy involves redesigning the …
Purdue Scientist Honored by President
A senior research scientist from Purdue University was among those honored to attend the President’s State of the Union address last week, thanks to her groundbreaking work in cellulosic ethanol. According to BoilerStation.com, Nancy Ho was asked to attend the event by the White House and sat near First Lady Laura Bush. “I will treasure this all my life,” Ho …