Biodico & Navy Sign Advanced Biofuels Contract

Joanna Schroeder

Biodico has signed an agreement with the U.S. Navy for the development and evaluation of advanced biofuels and bioenergy. The goal is to jointly develop renewable fuel and energy technologies that are appropriate for use at U.S. Naval and Department Of Defense (DOD) facilities worldwide. The co-project is supported, in part, by grants from the California Energy Commission. The collaboration between …

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, bioenergy, biofuels, biomaterials, Clean Energy, Renewable Energy

Ethanol Discounted in Honor of Odyssey Day

Joanna Schroeder

In honor of the National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, Farmers Union Oil of Southern Valley Cenex located in Wahpeton, North Dakota will be discounting ethanol fuel blends. On Friday, October 26, 2012, E85 will be discounted 85 cents per gallon, E30 will be discounted 30 cents per gallon and E20 will be discounted 20 cents per gallon. Odyssey Day …

Alternative energy, biofuels, blends, Ethanol, Promotion

Biofuels Larger Part of Energy Mix

Joanna Schroeder

World and energy industry leaders are gathering this week in Dubai at the World Energy Forum. The major goal of the forum is to chart a roadmap for a sustainable energy mix. In light of the meeting, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) renewed its call for the adoption of politices that will include biofuels as a significant part of …

Alternative energy, biofuels, Environment, Renewable Energy

Governors Decline Iowa Hospitality

Joanna Schroeder

Despite planned trips to Iowa, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell declined invitations to visit an Iowa ethanol plant and cattle operation from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). Both governors were part of a group that filed for waivers of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) for 2012 and 2013. At this time, the Environmental Protection Agency …

Agribusiness, Alternative energy, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Running on Empty

Joanna Schroeder

For those of you who watched the second debate between Governor Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama, you’ll have heard something that hasn’t come out of the mouth of a presidential candidate in quite some time: ethanol. During discussion on energy policy, candidates typically use the term biofuels – a seemingly less taboo word as criticism surrounds “ethanol”. How much …

Alternative energy, biofuels, Opinion

Green Metrics Missing in Biofuel Debate

Joanna Schroeder

According to Jody Endres, College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences, and The Energy Biosciences Institute at the University of Illinois, and Daniel Szewczyk, academia has failed to create green metrics in measuring the pros and cons of biofuels. A framework to evaluate what constitutes a “green” economy is needed along with measurement metrics. Endres and Szewczyk note that energy …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, RFS

Tuscon Clean Cities Wins Oil Displacement Honor

Joanna Schroeder

During the 2012 Clean Cities Peer Exchange and Vehicle Technology Deployment Workshop, Tuscon Clean Cities Coalition was awarded the Top Award for Greatest Displacement of Petroleum Using E85. The award came from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) who thanked the coalition for the work they are doing to reduce petroleum consumption. There are around 100 Clean Cities coalitions across …

Biodiesel, biofuels, energy efficiency, Ethanol, RFA

USDA Announces 6th Regional Biofuels System

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a research grant to develop next generation biofuels in the Northeast. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded Pennsylvania State University a five-year research grant valued at roughly $10 million to develop biomass supply chains for the production of liquid transportation and aviation biofuels in the Northeast. This is the sixth such award made …

advanced biofuels, Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

Global Renewable Energy Investments Growing

Joanna Schroeder

Despite global struggles with the economy, investments in renewable energy technologies have continued to grow in 2011. New investments in renewable power and fuels (excluding large hydropower and solar hot water) reached $257 billion, and increase $37 billion from 2010. This according to research conducted by the WorldWatch Institute’s Climate and Energy program. In addition, during 2011, investments in renewable …

biofuels, Energy, Geothermal, Hydro, Solar, Waste-to-Energy, Wind

Ethanol Industry Pumps $5B Into MN State Economy

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the state’s ethanol industry generated more than $5 billion in total economic activity in 2011. In addition, the ethanol industry supported more than 12,600 jobs. The state is 5th nationwide in ethanol production with 21 ethanol biorefineries. According to the MDA report, ethanol added $912 million to the …

Agribusiness, biofuels, corn, Ethanol