Yesterday during the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress/Ag Media Summit, a “Great Debate” ensued between retired K-State ag economist Barry Flinchbaugh and former Texas congressman Charlie Stenholm. Their topics were ag policy and trade but a lot of the focus was on the new cap and trade legislation, climate change and indirect land use. I had a chance to …
Webinar Features Talk on Algae for Fuels & Chemicals
Last time, we told you about how researchers are working on ways of making algae into a viable feedstock for Midwest biodiesel production. In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we continue the conversation on algae and it’s potential as a fuel… and the chemical by-products and processes it can bring to the table. During the recent 2009 World …
New Ethanol Awareness Efforts
The Renewable Fuels Association is targeting motorcyclists and increasing its on-line presence with new marketing efforts. This edition of “The Ethanol Report” features an interview with Renewable Fuels Association Director of Market Development Robert White about some new tactics they are using to promote ethanol and answer questions about its use. White talks in particular about one upcoming event that …
DF Cast: Midwest a Good Place for Algae Biodiesel
While producing a green fuel from a green pond scum… turning algae into biodiesel… isn’t anything new, doing it in the nation’s breadbasket, where plenty of soybeans for biodiesel are already being grown, is a bit more of a novel concept. In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we talk to Dr. Richard Sayre, the Director of the Enterprise …
“Pure Energy” Radio Show to Debut
The first national radio show dedicated to the business of renewable energy will make its debut from the Miami studios of 880 The Biz (WZAB) on Monday, July 13, at 6:00 pm Eastern time. Pure Energy is hosted by noted energy expert Sean O’Hanlon, Executive Director of the American Biofuels Council (ABC). “We’re going to talk about all forms of …
Obama Comments on Ethanol During Rural Tour Kickoff
The Obama administration embarked on a National Rural Tour this week that will include discussions about green jobs, a new energy economy, climate change and renewable energies. During an interview for the National Association of Farm Broadcasting with Michelle Rook of WNAX, Yankton, SD, Obama was asked about the role renewable fuels will play in the future for rural America. …
DF Cast: Charting the Future of Ethanol
Attendees of the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo in Denver, Colorado heard something they most likely already knew: the past year was a rough one for the ethanol industry. While some folks such as Mike Bryan, CEO of BBI International point out that much of the green fuel’s woes were a concerted effort by those outside of the industry …
Phibro Ethanol Performance Group Knows FDA
For those of you not familiar with an FDA, Food Additive Petition (FAP), the folks at Phibro Chem’s Ethanol Performance Group can help you understand what it means to ethanol producers. They market the antimicrobial product, Lactrol. We normally think of the EPA when it comes to governmental regulations in this industry but FDA is getting more involved. That’s why …
Ethanol Report on Safety
Recent accidents involving transportation fuel, including ethanol, have highlighted the importance of safety when it comes to moving flammable and hazardous materials. It turns out that the tanker truck explosion in California on June 13 was actually carrying petroleum, not ethanol as the media reported, but the Canadian National Railway train that derailed in Illinois over the weekend was carrying …
Discussing Future of Ethanol Industry
At this week’s Fuel Ethanol Workshop we had a very large panel discussion titled, “Research, Technology and the Future of Ethanol Production.” This was a pretty serious group of industry leaders and thinkers that was introduced by Tom Bryan, BBI International. Included were: * Moderator: Per Falholt, Executive Vice President-Head of R&D, Novozymes * Dave Vander Griend, CEO, ICM Inc. …