The dramatic growth in biofuels made from crops is the runaway favorite for the year’s top stories in agriculture. “Emergence of biofuels as a factor in the farm economy really came out in 2006,” says USDA chief economist Keith Collins in a USDA Radio News report. “As that became realised in the second half of 2006 we saw commodity markets …
Idaho to Consider Biofuel Incentives
The Idaho Legislature will be considering proposals in the coming new year to make ethanol and biodiesel more attractive to distributors in that state. Here’s the beginning of a very good article from Bonner County Daily Bee reporter Lucy Dukes about the biofuels climate in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. COEUR d’ALENE — Cindy James would consider using an ethanol-blended fuel if …
Going Green With Map Muse
Finding alternative fuels is easier when you have a muse to guide you. Map Muse is a mapping website with the goal of helping people find places related to their interests. Recently they added alternative fueling stations to their list of interests under the category of Going Green. The site has maps for a variety of alternative fuels including E85, …
Aloha to Renewable Energy
The Hawaiian Electric Company, also known as HECO, is proposing to run a 110 megawatt power plant entirely on renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. According to the Honolulu Star Bulletin, the commitment to power the plant completely on biofuels was finalized last week and made public Monday. Robbie Alm, HECO’s senior vice president for public affairs, said the …
USDA Raises Crop Price Forecast
The latest global supply/demand report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture increases the forecast for corn and soybean prices this year due in part to stronger demand for ethanol and biodiesel.
Oil From Algae
Solix Biofuels Inc., a startup company based in Boulder, is working with Colorado State University engineers to commercialize technology that can cheaply mass produce oil derived from algae and turn it into biodiesel. Algae are the fastest growing organisms on the planet, and can produce 100 times more oil per acre than conventional soil-tilled crops that are now being grown …
Science Foundation Advocates Grass for Gas
Diverse mixtures of native prairie plant species have emerged as a leader in the quest to identify the best source of biomass for producing sustainable, bio-based fuel to replace petroleum. A new study led by David Tilman, an ecologist at the University of Minnesota, shows that mixtures of native perennial grasses and other flowering plants provide more usable energy per …
New Iowa Ag Secretary Says Beef Industry Will Benefit From Ethanol
Iowa’s newly-elected Secretary of Agriculture says the ethanol industry can help the state regain its dominance in beef production. According to a story from the Brownfield Network, Bill Northey told members of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association meeting Thursday that widespread availability of ethanol co-products like dry distillers’ grains could make Iowa the number one beef producing state again like it …
Monsanto Adopts Bean-Powered Buses
Monsanto Company employees are now riding shuttles operating on 20 percent biodiesel. According to a company release, the three on-campus shuttles that provide employee transportation around the Monsanto campus in St. Louis are now operating on B20 biodiesel fuel. The new, smaller shuttles will result in a three mile-per-gallon efficiency increase and a 20 percent savings in fuel costs. The …