According to the Renewable Fuels Association, new data from the polling firm Public Opinion Strategies shows that 78 percent of Americans support increasing the use of ethanol and two-thirds of Americans support the increased use of biofuels in general. Additional results show that 91 percent of Americans feel the country is facing an energy crisis and 53 percent believe we …
Coconuts for Biodiesel
It may not be just for suntan lotion anymore. International Fuel Technology Inc. of St. Louis and CIIF Oil Mills Group of the Philippines, the world’s largest coconut producer, have begun a research and development program to expand the use of coconut oil in biofuels blended with diesel fuel. According to a company release, the administration of Philippine President Gloria …
Music Festivals Go Green
According to MTV news, some big name summer music festivals are making themselves more environmentally friendly by using biodiesel in fleets and generators. For example, organizers of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee June 16-18 plan to use 25,000 gallons of cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel for all its non-music stage generators. The Warped Tour, whatever that is, plans …
Florida Legalizes E85
E85 is now legal in Florida. According to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, the notice of the rule change making it legal to sell E85 in the Sunshine State was published in April. NEVC is gearing up to work with vendors to make the fuel available to Florida motorists. Florida Ag Commissioner Charles Bronson has been a big promoter of …
Broin Plant News
The Broin Companies today announced plans for development and construction of Premier Ethanol, LLC near Portland, Indiana, as well as plans to build a second Pro-Corn Ethanol production facility in Minnesota. The Indiana plant is a 120 million gallon per year (MGPY) project and the Minnesota facility will produce 60 million gallons of ethanol annually.
Here Ethanol’s Better
San Antonio, TX-based retailer H-E-B has announced that it will offer E-85 in five store locations from San Antonio to Waco by the end of summer. According to a company press release, the five sites are strategically located along IH-35, the nation’s main artery that runs from Mexico to Canada. H-E-B also selected the sites based on their proximity to …
Foreign Investment in Domestic Fuel
According to the Des Moines Register, Australia’s Global Ethanol announced plans this week to build a plant in Belmont, IA. This is the same group that recently bought controlling interest in Midwest Grain Processors operation at Lakota, IA. In addition, British agribusiness giant Tate & Lyle announced plans last week to build a plant in Fort Dodge, IA. Global Ethanol …
Mold Could Increase Ethanol Production
According to a release, researchers at Iowa State University have found a way to use mold to convert corn fiber into ethanol. And that could boost ethanol production by about 4 percent or 160 million gallons a year, said Hans van Leeuwen, an Iowa State professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering. “I believe this is a breakthrough,” said van …
JW Writes
While domestic fuels have the possibility to stem our dependence on foreign oil, most would agree that it would not be possible to completely supply our need for fuel. Based on our current consumption of oil, more than 90% of the arable land in the US would be required to produce enough ethanol. A large part of the corn and …
Ethanol-Mart
Watch out for falling ethanol prices if Wal-Mart decides to start selling E85. Officials with the world’s largest retailer met recently with ethanol industry representatives to discuss the possibility of offering ethanol at its 383 U.S. gas stations.