North Carolina-based Duke Energy has acquired the wind power development business assets of Tierra Energy. According to this press release on Duke’s web site, it bought more than 1,000 megawatts of wind assets under development in the Western and Southwestern United States. About 240 megawatts in Texas and Wyoming will be up and running commercially by the end of next …
Nebraska Gets Biodiesel Tax Credit
With the stroke of a pen, Nebraska biodiesel producers gain a credit for production of the green fuel. Governor Dave Heineman signed the legislation, originally sponsored by State Senator Chris Langemeier of Schuyler, designed to encourage greater investment in biodiesel production. According to this release on the Governor’s web site, a tax credit of up to 30% would be given …
BioSelect, Chevron Open Biodiesel Plant
BioSelect Fuels LLC – a division of Standard Renewable Energy – and oil-giant Chevron cut the ribbon on a new biodiesel plant in Galveston today (May 29th). According to this press release on Chevron’s web site, the refinery will start producing 20 million gallons of biodiesel a year with the capability of 110 million gallons… making it one of the …
1,2,3: Simmons Hovers in Top 5, Drops to 7 During Rain Delay
Ethanol Team IndyCar Driver Jeff Simmons has held a top 3 position for much of the race. Just before the rain delay, Jeff held first place in the 91st Indianapolis 500. But, just as the Ethanol Team poster boy pulled into the pits to refuel, the yellow flag dropped pushing Jeff back to 7th. Indy Series officials are holding off …
Ethanol Set To Break More Markets
The man that built The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council from the ground up is Board President Tom Branhan, CEO and general manager of Glacial Lakes Energy. When I caught up with him on the bus, he said the transition to 100 percent ethanol fuel in the Indy Racing League is a major stride for the ethanol industry, and he …
Indy 500 Reaffirms Ethanol As Trusted Fuel Source
Amidst the hustle and bustle of race weekend events, I caught up with EPIC board member Don Endres of VeraSun Energy, a producer of fuel grade ethanol. Don said the Indy Racing League’s switch to 100 percent ethanol fuel is history in the making. He said the IRL’s investment in the fuel not only demonstrates to the world that ethanol …
EPIC Members Get VIP Showcase at Indy 500 Parade
The theme for this year’s 50th IPL Festival Parade in downtown Indianapolis was “Spirit and Speed.” There certainly was a lot of spirit from the crowd as celebrity after celebrity filed by on classic cars and Indy-related floats. The parade showcased each of the 33 competitors for the Indy 500 race Sunday along with more than a dozen other high-profile …
The Nitty Gritty In the Garage
Enough with the replicas. This time it was the real deal for EPIC Members. The ethanol team handed out all-access passes for a peek into what makes an IndyCar run at more than 230 miles an hour. Letterman-Rahal Racing’s Steve Shunck led members on a tour through the garages for Rahal-Letterman IndyCar Drivers Jeff Simmons and Scott Sharp. From the …
EPIC Members Get Suite Treatment
The Freedom 100 Indy Pro Series race kicked off the weekend’s events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I stopped in at the Tower suite where the Ethanol Promotional and Information Council hosted members with Endress+Hauser, a company that specializes in fuel flow control. Members enjoyed a sky high view of the Freedom 100, where a record 25 teams entered the race …
Sharp Stops Short in Pit Stop Challenge
Just after the Freedom 100 Pro Series race, the top 10 qualifying IndyCar Drivers competed for $50,000 in the Carb Day Pit Stop Challenge. EPIC teammate Scott Sharp’s crew whizzed through the first few rounds of the challenge. But, Scott’s car got hung up in the semifinal and the crew missed it’s chance to advance. The Penske pit crew for …