Renewable fuels are the backbone of Iowa’s economy, according to a report released last week by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). According to the report, “Contribution of the Biofuels Industry to the Economy of Iowa,” ethanol and biodiesel producers are part of a manufacturing sector that adds substantial value to agricultural commodities produced in Iowa and makes a significant …
US Gas Consumption Down, Biofuels Replacing Oil
Three years ago, petroleum-based gasoline consumption was the highest the U.S. had ever seen. But thanks in part to biofuels, including biodiesel and ethanol, the amount of gas we use has actually gone down since the peak of 2007. This article in the Kansas City Star says that while the recession and the increased popularity of smaller, more fuel efficient …
DF Cast: Ethanol, Biodiesel Industries Optimistic on 2010
The new year brings in new hope, and it’s no different for the ethanol and biodiesel industries in this country. You couldn’t blame the folks who make biofuels in the U.S. if they just wanted to forget about 2009 … especially when you consider the fights over food versus fuel, delays of regulatory implementations that would have helped both ethanol …
Obama’s Message: Hope, News Jobs & Clean Energy
The nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the country that leads the global clean economy and America must be that nation,” said President Obama tonight during his first State of the Union address. “I will not accept second place.” There were several major focuses of his speech including the support of small businesses, building a stronger financial …
Biodiesel Maker Contends Study Proves Algae’s Worth
A recent study that contends algae-based biodiesel is no more environmentally friendly than conventional row-crop feedstocks has generated some controversy, as well as quite a few comments. And even the algal-biofuel industry seems to be split on the issue. As you might remember from my story last week, University of Virginia researchers have concluded that algae’s environmental footprint is larger …
USDA, Navy to Work on Advanced Biofuels
The USDA and the Department of the Navy (DoN) have agreed to work together to develop advanced biofuels and other renewable energy systems. This USDA press release says the agreement is part of the government’s plan to build a clean energy economy, create new jobs and reduce American dependence on foreign oil, while building a strike force that will run …
Winter & Double Crops Increase Biofuels Opportunities
I recently wrote about the potential of energy crops for biofuels, but there are many more opportunities including the biofuels value of planting winter crops or double crops. Last week during the AG CONNECT Expo, I spoke with Dr. Tom Richard, associate professor with Pennsylvania State University, who discussed the opportunities for biofuels and agriculture through the planting and harvesting …
How to Create Effective Biofuels Public Policy
One of the biggest challenges for our country lies in the issue of how to create effective public policies that will grow the biofuels industry and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Dr. Antonio Bento, associate professor in the Applied Economics and Management Program at Cornell University, has been researching exactly how to do this and he shared his results …
Biofuels Could Benefit Chesapeake Bay
Homegrown biofuels production could power a robust local economy and improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay by significantly reducing pollution runoff to the Bay’s local waterways. That’s the primary finding in a report released today by the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “This report clearly highlights the real and quantifiable benefits a next-generation biofuels industry …