Yet another study has found that Searchinger et al.’s paper on Indirect Land Use was not based on ‘sound science’. According to researchers Professor John Matthews and Dr. Hao Tan, from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, the Searchinger paper is more ideology than science and is seeking to put biofuels in the worst possible light. In addition, they say, alternative …
Cars Using Cellulosic E85 Have Lowest CO2 Emissions
WorldAutoSteel has released a 2nd iteration of the automotive materials parametric Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model, which allows for broader evaluations of automotive materials, powertrains, fuels, and vehicle total energy consumed. The study showed that celluosic E85 is the best fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as compared to all other alternatives, including hybrid technology and fuel cells. This phase …
The Time is Now to Apply for a USDA Loan Guarantee
For the past several months, grants and incentives have been released to help keep the biofuels industry moving forward and successful. One set of programs that were launched through the stimulus package gave $1.7 billion dollars for business and industry loan guarantees – but very few are taking advantage of this program. This according to Dallas Tonsager, keynote speaker during …
Wisconsin School to Hold Biofuels Symposium
The University of Wisconsin-Superior will play host to the upcoming Bio-Fuels and Energy Independence Symposium, bringing together researchers from laboratories, universities and businesses around the Midwest to talk about the latest work in biofuels technology. This story from KBJR-TV in Duluth, Minnesota says the symposium runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at UW-Superior’s Rothwell Student Center: …
Advanced Biofuels Group Tax Exempt
Advanced Biofuels USA is now officially recognized as exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue code making the organization qualified to receive tax deductible donations. The purpose of the organizations is to promote public understanding, acceptance, and use of advanced biofuels; to promote research, development and improvement of production, marketing and delivery of advanced biofuels; …
IRFA Hires Menke As Biofuels Manager
I always love to report when a fellow Iowan finds his way back home again. After serving for the past six years as a research assistant for U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in Washington, D.C., Grant Menke has been hired as the Biofuels Manager for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). This IRFA press release has details: “It is certainly …
DF Cast: Pure Energy Goes on the Air
There’s a new radio show in town… and its focus is something near and dear to the hearts of many of you who read this blog. On this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast we’ll talk to Sean O’Hanlon, Executive Director of the American Biofuels Council and host of “Pure Energy,” a new radio show on Miami’s 880 AM WZAB, …
Economist Barry Flinchbaugh Talks Indirect Land Use
Yesterday during the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress/Ag Media Summit, a “Great Debate” ensued between retired K-State ag economist Barry Flinchbaugh and former Texas congressman Charlie Stenholm. Their topics were ag policy and trade but a lot of the focus was on the new cap and trade legislation, climate change and indirect land use. I had a chance to …
DOE Announces New $30 Billion In Loan Guarantees
More good news for ethanol. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced up to $30 billion in new load guarantees funded in part, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and in part through 2009 appropriations. Once again, next generation biofuels projects get an additional boost as the lending authority includes up to $500 million in subsidy costs to support …
Qteros: Cellulosic Ethanol Production Breakthrough
Qteros, formerly Sun Ethanol, recently announced that it has broken the barrier of ethanol production from cellulosic biomass feedstocks such as corn stover, sugarcane and woody biomass. As most biofuels companies report the production of 50 grams of ethanol per liter, Qteros says it is now producing 70 grams of ethanol per liter or approximately 100 gallons per ton. The …