Biofuel advocate Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will address the 8th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit and Trade Show on January 28, 2014. Branstad has been a vocal supporter of the Renewable Fuel Standard, has participated in an RFS rally held last November and created a Protect the RFS Petition in support of the biofuel legislation …
Fast-Eating Enzymes Lunch on Cellulose
A microorganism first found in the Valley of Geysers on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia in 1990 may be a key to more efficient cellulosic biofuel production. The microoorganism can digest cellulose almost twice as fast as the current leading component cellulase enzyme on the market according to researchers at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The researches …
Calling All Ethanol Advocates!
With the new year well underway, there are only 23 days for ethanol and biofuel advocates to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the 2014 proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Today Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President for the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), is urging ethanol supporters to voice their concerns. “We have just 23 days to …
Ohioans Support Clean Energy
Ohio is voting “yes” for clean energy according to a new poll conducted by Yes for Ohio’s Energy Future. The survey found that Ohioans support the Ohio Jobs Initiative, the Ohio Clean Energy Initiative by a margin of 35 percent (64 percent likely to vote in favor versus 29 percent unlikely). The poll was conducted by Public Policy Polling (PPP), …
No Changes Needed to 2014/2015 RFS
According to a new analysis from Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to reduce the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending requirements is unwarranted and economically irrational. “Feasibility and Cost of Increasing US Ethanol Consumption Beyond E10,” demonstrates that the 2014 statutory RFS requirements could be easily met with no …
BioEnergy Bytes
Gevo has announced that the U.S. Army has successfully flown the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on a 50/50 blend of Gevo’s ATJ-8 (Alcohol-to-Jet). ATJ is a renewable, drop in alternative fuel for JP8 that addresses the Army Energy Security Strategy and Plans mandate that the Army certify 100% of its air platforms on alternative/renewable fuels by 2016. This flight …
C-Max Solar Energi Taps Sun for Power
Ford Motor Company has announced its new C-MAX Solar Energi Concept, what they call a first-of-its-kind sun-powered vehicle with the potential to deliver the best of what a plug-in hybrid offers, without depending on the electric grid for fuel. Instead of powering its battery from an electrical outlet, Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept harnesses the power of the sun by …
Consumer Attitude About Renewable Energy Rebounds
According to a new consumer survey from Navigant Research, favorable attitudes toward a number of clean and renewable energy concepts, particularly solar energy, wind energy, hybrid vehicles and electric cars, have rebounded significantly from their 2012 levels. The survey finds the average favorability rating for 10 concepts, which fall under the categories of clean energy, clean transportation, smart grid, and …
BioEnergy Bytes
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed Simon Gicharo as new Chairman to the country’s Geothermal Development Company (GDC). Gicharu is the founder of Mount Kenya University and will now be tasked to fast-track development of Kenya’s geothermal resources. GDC is expected to drill 1,4000 steam wells for the development of up to 5,000 MW in geothermal power generation capacity by …
UC Riverside to Host Solar Energy Summit
The University of California, Riverside is hosting a summit focused on solar energy in Inland Southern California on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at its Bourns College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology. “Solar Energy in Inland Southern California: The Future is Now,” will take place from 7:30 am to 6 pm PST. The event is designed for city …