A Wisconsin entrepreneur says producers don´t have to rely on corn, or even cellulosic waste, to create ethanol. Joe Van Groll, Owner of Grand Meadow Energy, LLC, says he can create ethanol from cheese water waste. Joe says this new method for creating ethanol is a great alternative. He points out that the ethanol industry is the target of negative …
Finding A Flex-Fuel
There are more than 6.5 million flex-fuel vehicles out on the road today and more are on the way. Robert White, the Director of Operations for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council says the Detroit Three – that´s General Motors, Ford and Chrysler have announced that half of their production in model year 2012 will be flex-fuel vehicles. Robert adds …
Nebraska Offers Crops-to-Fuel Workshops
The University of Nebraska is offering producers, consultants, dealers, and others interested in agriculture a chance to attend one of five “Growing Corn or Soybeans to Fuel Nebraska” workshops, December 17th – 21st at various locations around the state. This press release from the school’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources has more information: Morning topics include pointers on making …
Biodiesel Fuels Fryer Oil Boom
As biodiesel has gained in popularity so has a feedstock that used to be just a waste product. Used cooking oil from restaurants can be made into some pretty high-quality biodiesel, and refiners are having to compete to get what used to be thrown out. This story on the Oregonlive.com web site says it used to cost restaurants to have …
Lt. Gov. Says Kansas Will Be Renewable Energy Exporter
After a controversy that has put a coal-fired power plant in Kansas on hold, that state’s lieutenant governor says Kansas will still be able to export energy… but now in a renewable form. The Salina (KS) Journal reports Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson made the remarks before a Topeka Rotary Club as he assured members that the rejection of a major …
The Math Behind Soy Biodiesel
The recent story of a biodiesel plant under construction near Evansville, Wisconsin that halted construction because of the high price of its feedstock, soybeans (see my November 13th, 2007 story on the issue), has prompted the local newspaper to question how economical making biodiesel really is. This article in the Janesville (WI) Gazette breaks down how you can actually still …
Minnesota Farmer to Head Biodiesel Board
Appleton, Minnesota soybean farmer Ed Hegland has been tapped to head the National Biodiesel Board. This press release from NBB says he’s no stranger to the biodiesel advocacy group: Hegland has served as a board member for the nonprofit trade association since 2004, representing the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, and was elected to the governing board last year. …
The Cost of E85
The price per gallon for an E85 fuel blend is consistently cheaper than gasoline at pumps throughout the U.S. But, critics often say the loss in mileage from using E85 negates any savings consumers get on the gallon. Robert White, the Director of Operations for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council says the exact opposite. He says the very existence …
BioWillie Wonka
With all due respect to Willie Nelson’s biodiesel, this could be be the sweetest of all the biofuels. A company in England is making biodiesel from waste chocolate from a candy company. This story from the Lancashire Evening Post has more about the product from Ecotec: And in the ultimate test, the chocolate invention is set to be used to …
New Biodiesel Plant Opens in Houston
Green Earth Biofuels has held the official grand opening of its new 90-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant near Houston, Texas. This story on Grainnet.com says the ceremony attracted company officials and Texas Governor Rick Perry: Greg Bafalis, Green Earth Fuels president and chief executive officer, remarked, “As the nation’s newest leader in helping energy companies integrate renewable, environmentally clean, and high-value biodiesel …