Drivers and pit crews are dialing in their IndyCars this morning in preparation for Sunday’s final IndyCar Series race for 2007. Rahal-Letterman teammates Patron Driver Scott Sharp and Ethanol Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay are assigned pits 7 and 8 at the Chicagoland track. The drivers have two practice runs today to work out the kinks and get everything in line. Peak …
Ethanol from Idaho Landfill Waste
Ground has been broken on a $60 million ethanol plant in Eastern Idaho that will make the green fuel from landfill waste. This story on the KPVI-TV web site says not only will the plant make ethanol, it will reduce the need for landfills: Wayne Brower, Bingham County Commissioner: “Very exciting to know that we can convert household waste into …
Forestry Chief Wants More Wood-based Ethanol
The head of the U.S. Forest Service has proposed that the nation replace 15 percent of its gasoline with ethanol made from wood. This AP story says U.S. Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell made the proposal during a speech on the west coast: “These are ambitious goals, and they would take a concerted national effort to reach,” Forest Service Chief …
Farmers Being Asked to Use Soy Biodiesel at Harvest Time
As the combines get ready to crank up to bring in this year’s grain harvest, farmers are being asked to fill up on fuel made from part of their crops. This story on The Farmer.com says the United Soybean Board has teamed up with National Biodiesel Board to launch a campaign asking farmers to use soy biodiesel in their harvesting …
Poisonous Plant Could Be Answer in Food vs. Fuel Debate
As the debate continues to rage over using some foodstuffs for fuel, there seems to be a plant that could solve the issue. The jatropha plant from Africa has been used for centuries as a natural hedge. Now, it could be a natural substitute for plants such as soybeans in the search for feedstocks for biodiesel. This story on CNNMoney.com …
Race Prep
After all the excitement at the ethanol pump promotion yesterday, I have a day of calm before race weekend event frenzy. I decided to take advantage of my down time and stake out a spot in the media center at the Chicagoland Speedway. EPIC’s Director of Communications Joanna Schroeder and Marketing Director Jenny Powell popped in for a visit and …
Minnesota Wind Project Will Be Biggest Community-owned
National Wind, LLC has partnered with the local communities in eastern Dodge and western Olmsted counties to form High Country Energy… a partnership that will create the nation’s largest community-owned wind energy project. A press release from the company web site says National Wind will manage the development and construction of a 300 megawatt wind farm in conjunction with the …
Chesapeake Biodiesel Plant Gets Environmental Evaluation
Engineers for the company developing a 320-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant on a river around Chesapeake Bay in Virginia have looked at the possible impact the facility would have on the surrounding wetlands. WAVY-TV in Portsmouth, VA reports that the facility will be on the Elizabeth River: “Our site is designed every step of the way to minimize any impact on the …
Biodiesel Project Kicks off in Pocatello
Five departments of the City of Pocatello, Idaho are making the switch to biodiesel for their fleet of vehicles. This story from KIFI-TV says the move comes after months of careful planning: [T]he City of Pocatello has initiated a Biodiesel Pilot Project with a portion of the City’s diesel fleet. The current pilot project will be initially conducted with B20, …
PJ Chesson Pumps Ethanol Fuel
Ryan Hunter-Reay wasn’t the only Indy Car Driver consumers had the chance to meet at today’s ethanol pump promotion. Roth Racing Driver PJ Chesson also came out to help support ethanol. Consumers throughly enjoyed PJ antics at the gas pump. The rambunctious driver washed windshields, scribbled his name in bumper dust and even paid for one woman’s gas. You don’t …