According to the National Biodiesel Board, Chrysler Group has announced that the first diesel-powered, full-size sport utility vehicle offered in the United States will be shipped from the factory with B5, a blend containing 5 percent biodiesel. The Jeep® Grand Cherokee CRD’s B5 factory fueling builds on a similar program implemented with the company’s Jeep Liberty CRD. The 2007 Jeep …
Premier Groundbreaking
The Broin Companies is holding a ground breaking ceremony August 3 for Premier Ethanol, LLC, a 60 million gallon per year ethanol plant to be constructed near Portland, Indiana. According to a company release, invited speakers for the program include Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, State Representative Bill Davis, Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier, Ron Lamberty from the American Coalition for …
MN Gov Goes to Bat for E85 Conversion Kits
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the testing of E-85 conversion kits in Minnesota. According to an EarthToys press release, Pawlenty sent a letter this week to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson to approve the FlexTek conversion kit (see previous post) which is already being used in Brazil. The EPA currently prohibits a company or individual …
Pretty New Pumps
I wish everyone would send me press releases with nice pictures attached like this one from Dresser Wayne, “an industry pioneer for the retail fueling industry” whose motto is “Fueling the Future.” They sent me a release about these pretty new E85 pumps just installed at 18 Kroger fuel stations in Dallas and Houston. The Dresser Wayne Vista 387 E85 …
Peachy Bioenergy Conference
A three-day conference in Tifton, Georgia next week will cover everything anyone would ever want to know about bioenergy – from research and production to marketing and legislation. The Georgia Bioenergy Conference is “not just about grain and beans,” as it focuses heavily on the use of alternative feed-stocks such as wood byproducts, grasses, and byproducts from peanut, cotton, and …
Plans Delayed for One Florida Ethanol Plant
One of two ethanol plants being built by U.S. EnviroFuels has run into a snag due to a land issue. The company is planning facilities at both Port Manatee and the Port of Tampa, but according to the Bradenton Herald, the Manatee county site is on hold “until they can work out an agreement with Port Manatee tenant TransMontaigne Inc. …
Kansas Ethanol Plant Announced
ICM Inc. of Colwich, Kan., will design an ethanol plant in Rice County, KS between Lyons and Sterling. The plant will be capable of producing 55 million gallons per year and is being funded by an investment group that includes former Kansas Senate President Dave Kerr. According to an article in the Hutchinson (KS) News, construction of the plant should …
Getting to Know 25x’25
The alliance known as 25X’25 is gaining more visibility with its goal to have 25 percent of the nation’s energy supply come from renewable resources by the year 2025. Major organizations, congressional leaders and companies are backing the coalition and the momentum is growing. At the Ag Media Summit in Portland this week, Chuck sat down with Mike Bowman, one …
Ethanol Prices Stabilizing
All the complaining about high ethanol prices may soon come to an end. Reports are that ethanol prices appear to be leveling out and should start falling. An article in the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier today quotes Tami Foster, an energy data analyst with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Foster said high ethanol demand on the east and west …
Team Ethanol at the Milwaukee Mile
Rahal Letterman Racing Team Ethanol car driver Jeff Simmons finished in the top ten again Sunday at the Milwaukee Mile, starting in his highest pole position at sixth and finishing ninth. Simmons commented, “The Team Ethanol crew did a great job preparing the car this weekend. We had over best qualifying run of the year and we scored our third …