A new survey from the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) shows strong support for government investment in biofuels research. According to a press release: Four in five U.S. adults (80%) strongly or somewhat agree that national and state governments are not doing enough to promote production of biofuels. The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive®, also found that 82% of adults say …
Sound Bites
I have been going over some of the several hours of audio I collected last week at the Advancing Renewable Fuels Conference and picked out quotes from some of the major speakers. ADM CEO Patricia Woertz Ethanol derived from corn and vegetable oil based biodiesel are examples of here and now solutions that deserve investment support. We believe that corn …
It’s Confirmed
President Bush is now confirmed to be the grand finale for the Renewable Energy Conference this week in St. Louis. He will make the final address on Thursday to attendees at the event, who will be hearing from other top administration officials on Wednesday, including Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. Just about everybody who …
Home of the Biodiesel Rams
The newest breed of Dodge Ram comes factory-fueled with biodiesel. Under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis Tuesday, representatives from the National Biodiesel Board and Daimler-Chrysler announced that every 2007 Dodge Ram diesel coming off the assembly line at the company’s Fenton, Missouri north plant will be fueled with B5, a blend containing 5 percent biodiesel made from soybeans grown …
Biotech for Biofuels
Dr. Robert Fraley, Monsanto’s Chief Technology Officer, will be one of the presenters at the Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance conference on Wednesday, October 11 in St. Louis. Dr. Fraley will be a panel speaker at the “Liquid Fuels and Bioproducts: Supply and Demand” breakout session on Wednesday afternoon. Dr. Fraley will share his scientific vision of agriculture’s …
Ram Stuff
DaimlerChrysler and the National Biodiesel Board are promising a “new breed of St. Louis Ram.” Look for a big announcement on Tuesday when representatives will discuss new programs to promote modern, clean diesel vehicles and the benefits of renewable biodiesel fuel. The diesel Dodge Ram is produced in St. Louis.
MO Money For Biodiesel
Equity drives for biodiesel plants in Missouri are going well, according to the Missouri Soybean Association. Paseo Biofuels is getting close to half of the $24 million it is raising for a biodiesel plant in Kansas City, Mo., to be owned by Missouri farmers and Cargill. (see previous post) So far, more than $10 million in shares has been committed. …
Peachy Deal for Georgia Biofuels Plants
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue this week proposed a sales tax exemption for materials and equipment used in the construction of biofuel facilities in Georgia. According to a press release from the governor’s office, the four percent tax incentive, an annual savings of $2 to 4 million, will be available to facilities producing and processing certain biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel and butanol) …
Earthrace Low on Financial Fuel
The first 100-percent pure biodiesel race boat is running short on funding and may not finish it’s world tour as planned. According to news reports, like this one from the NY Times, Earthrace – aka “the World’s Coolest Boat” – is drowning in debt and stuck on the west coast. The boat was due to arrive on the east coast …
Biofinance Conference
Training on how to finance biofuels projects is the goal of Infocast’s Ethanol & Biodiesel Project Finance: The Tutorial, coming up November 1-3 in Chicago. Here’s the pitch from the organizers: Biofuels are red-hot, and getting hotter by the day! But developers and financiers must understand how to best take advantage of the national Renewable Fuels Standard and other incentives, …