Michigan Marching Orders

Cindy Zimmerman

As part of a series on “Making it in Michgan” the Associated Press did a report on the state’s campaign to become the nation’s leader in alternative fuels. LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Gov. Jennifer Granholm laid it on the line for the members of the Michigan Renewable Fuels Commission. “We want to be the state that shows the nation how …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Biofuels Top Ag Stories For 2006

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Idaho to Consider Biofuel Incentives

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Going Green With Map Muse

Cindy Zimmerman

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, …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Facilities, News

Aloha to Renewable Energy

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

USDA Raises Crop Price Forecast

Cindy Zimmerman

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.

Audio, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News

Oil From Algae

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Biodiesel, Research

Science Foundation Advocates Grass for Gas

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News