Change is on the way for the ethanol industry… and it could be quite dramatic. That word comes from a leading biofuels venture capitalist, and this story in the Des Moines Register says it could lead to more plants being owned by fewer and bigger investors: Sano Shimoda of BioScience Securities Inc. in Venice, Calif., said at the first Renewable …
U.S.; European Biofuel Makers Blast Anti-ethanol Report
A paper critical of world ethanol production, written by the chair of the Round Table on Sustainable Development at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)… but not officially the view of the OECD… has been blasted by the leaders of the European Bioethanol Fuel Association (eBio) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Those biofuels leaders are asking the …
Buff Buses Burning Biodiesel
University of Colorado officials have been experimenting with burning biodiesel in their campus mass transit system buses… the Buff Buses… and the results have been pretty “buff” in their own right. This article in the school’s online newspaper, the Campuspress.com, says it has been out performing other “clean”… but still petroleum-based… fuels: In 2003, students passed a referendum to increase …
USDA Hands Out $18.2 mil in Renewable Energy Grants & Loans
USDA Rural Development officials have announced that 345 proposals in 37 states have been tapped to get about $18.2 million for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. This release from the Ag Department says the $13.4 million in grants and $4.8 million in loan guarantee/grant combinations are being awarded through USDA’s Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements …
Biodiesel Featured at Wisconsin Farm Tech Days
Biodiesel was one of the stars at this year’s Wisconsin Farm Tech Days as the state’s biodiesel industry also pushes the green fuel as the source of energy for this year’s harvest. This story on Wisconsin Ag Connection has more details: Jeff Pieterick, president of the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association, acknowledges that Wisconsin farmers are already among the biggest advocates of …
North Dakota Ethanol Plant will Limit Fresh Water Usage
One of the big knocks against ethanol is that it uses too much water. But an ethanol plant in North Dakota is finding a way to limit its use of freshwater. This AP story on the KXMC-TV (Minot, ND) web site says what could have been a one-million-gallon-a-day drain on the local freshwater source has been significantly reduced: Duaine Espegard …
Verenium to Present at Big Apple Conferences
Cellulosic ethanol leader Verenium will present at two upcoming conferences… one on biofuels and one on life sciences… next week in New York City. This article on CNNMoney.com has more details: John A. McCarthy, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Verenium, will be presenting at the ISI Biofuels Conference. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 10:00 …
Hydrogen Gives Boost to Biodiesel Bus
Buses in Toledo could get a dash more power with a dash of hydrogen along with the biodiesel they’re burning. This story on the Emerging Current web site says a test is being done to see if hydrogen will boost the biodiesel’s performance: H2 Engine Systems’ Executive Vice President David Macpherson claimed he could feel a surge in the engine …
Biodiesel Changing Attitudes About Diesel Vehicles
For years, diesel powered vehicles got a bad rap as being too noisy and smelly for the average consumer. But now, with the advent of cleaner burning biodiesel (compared to the smell of french fries), Americans are buying more diesel burners. This story on the Driving.ca web site has more details: Americans generally have regarded diesels as too noisy and …
Ethanol Prices Lower than Regular Gasoline
Gas prices all over the country are higher than ever – more than 50 cents a gallon from a year ago – and with the latest spike in crude oil prices hitting record levels of more than $82 a barrell, expect those prices to continue to climb. But KELO-TV in Sioux Falls, South Dakota says while regular unleaded is hitting …