Pipeline Quality Manure Methane

Cindy Zimmerman

Intrepid Technology and Resources, Inc., an Idaho-based renewable alternate energy company, is turning dairy cow manure into natural gas. (see previous post) Thanks to a partnership with Utah State University, ITR is the first company to produce pipeline-quality methane from cow manure. ITR is expanding its operations, and will now produce natural gas from 100 percent of the manure from …

Energy, Research

More Than Enough Corn

Cindy Zimmerman

Despite a dry summer in many parts of the country, there’s still plenty of corn to go around. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service September crop report calls for an 11.114 billion bushel corn crop for the current marketing year, which would be the second-largest crop on record. The forecast is one percent higher than last month report and up just …

Agribusiness

Locally-Owned Plants Better For Local Economies

Cindy Zimmerman

A study released today by the National Corn Growers Association says that ethanol plants owned by local farmers provide more economic benefits for communities than those owned by absentee investors. The study, “Economic Impacts on the Farm Community of Cooperative Ownership of Ethanol Production,” concludes that, “Since a farmer-owned cooperative ethanol plant is literally a member of the community, the …

Ethanol

200 Million for Cilion

Cindy Zimmerman

Officials with California-based Cilion announced this week they have raised over $200 million in capital financing to build multiple ethanol plants. Cilion was formed in June (see previous post) with a partnership between Western Milling and venture capital firm Khosla Ventures According to a press release, Cilion will operate modular, standardized 55 million gallons per year ethanol plants using India-based …

Ethanol

Agressive Expansion

Cindy Zimmerman

According to this AP report out of Rio de Janeiro, “Brazil is aggressively expanding its sugarcane plantations and expects to more than double its annual exports of alcohol fuel, or ethanol, by 2010.” That’s according to Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy speaking at the Rio Oil and Gas Expo and Conference on Monday. Brazil is the world’s second-biggest producer …

Ethanol, International

Breaking More Ground

Cindy Zimmerman

Thursday is the big day for a new ethanol plant in Michigan. US BioEnergy will celebrate the opening of Michigan’s third ethanol plant in Woodbury Thursday, Sept. 14. Mitch Irwin, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, will serve as master of ceremonies. Bob Dineen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association will speak along with company officials. US Bio Woodbury …

Ethanol

Paseo Biofuels Meetings

Cindy Zimmerman

More Paseo Biofuels investment meetings are scheduled for this week in Missouri. Tuesday 9/12 at 9:00 a.m. – City Auditorium in Union Wednesday 9/13 at 9:00 a.m. – Red Rooster Restaurant in Laplata Wednesday 9/13 at 1:00 p.m. – Lions Club Hall in Mendon Thursday 9/14 at 9:00 a.m. – Hampton Inn in Clinton Thursday 9/14 at 12:00 p.m. – …

Biodiesel

Biodiesel in the Parks

Cindy Zimmerman

In 1995, the soybean checkoff funded key research on soy biodiesel quality. The same year, Yellowstone National Park began serving as the soy biodiesel testing ground for the National Park Service. A decade later, the market for soy biodiesel is flourishing, and its use has spread to more than 20 other national parks and among thousands of other diesel users …

Biodiesel, Government