Here is a story from the Des Moines Register about a recovering alcoholic who tried to get unemployment benefits from the ethanol plant he worked for because he drank some 190-proof alcohol that spilled into a holding pond. At the hearing, the judge asked, “Why would you drink fuel?” “I don’t have a good explanation for that,” he replied. “Curiosity?” …
Cellulosic Roadmap
The U.S. Department of Energy has released an ambitious new research agenda for the development of cellulosic ethanol as an alternative to gasoline. According to a DOE release, the 200-page scientific “roadmap” cites recent advances in biotechnology that have made cost-effective production of ethanol from cellulose, or inedible plant fiber, an attainable goal. The report outlines a detailed research plan …
Look It Up
Biodiesel has hit the big time – it’s in the dictionary now. The National Biodiesel Board is pleased that the word “biodiesel” appears in the 2006 update of the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition . This marks the first time that it has appeared in the dictionary, and signifies that biodiesel is becoming a household word. What’s more, word has …
Bird Fueled
A British company is using poultry litter to fuel power plants in the US. Fibrowatt, based in Philadephia, has projects planned or under development in poultry-growing states across the country, including Minnesota, Maryland, Mississippi and North Carolina. According to the company’s website, Fibrowatt Ltd built the world’s first three poultry litter fueled power plants and has licensed its technology to …
Show Me the Ethanol
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt is signing the state’s new ethanol bill several times over this week. The governor is visiting with corn growers from the southeast to the northwest part of the state for ceremonial bill signings, mostly in areas where ethanol plants are planned or in operation. The legislation requires gasoline sold in Missouri to contain 10 percent ethanol …
New Company To Produce Environmentally-Friendly Corn Ethanol
California-based Western Milling, and venture capital firm Khosla Ventures have announced the formation of Cilion, a company that will operate modular, standardized 55 million gallons per year ethanol plants. According to a release, the new company would use a variety of innovations to make plants that are cheaper and greener than standard corn-to-ethanol plants, substantially reducing the need for fossil …
Hawaii Gets Ethanol Project Funds
The Senate Energy Committee has approved $1 million for an ethanol demonstration project in Hawaii. Committee member Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) announced the project in a press release this week, saying the “appropriation is significant because the State of Hawaii passed a law that went into effect in April 2006, requiring at least 10 percent of all gas sold …
Made in the USA
2006 may someday be known as the year our nation made a Declaration of Energy Indepedence. When we declared our independence 230 years ago, there were many difficulties and hardships for the people of the new nation to face – not the least of which was a war. By cutting ourselves off from England we had to become more self-sufficient, …
Big 3 FFV Promise
DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation have announced plans to double the annual production of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) to two million by the year 2010. According to an Illinois Corn Growers release, the auto manufacturers pledged this commitment last week in a letter addressed to members of Congress signed by Chrysler Group President and CEO, Tom LaSorda, …
Honorary Pit Crew Member
Team Ethanol had an honorary pit crew member this weekend in Kansas City. It was a dream come true for 21-year-old Casey Brickey, who suffers from a progressive form of muscular dystrophy. Last year Brickey teamed up with the ethanol industry to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association to fuel the fight for a cure. The ethanol industry donated …