Delegates to the Republican National Convention this week have adopted a party platform that would essentially end the Renewable Fuels Standard passed by Congress and signed by the president in December as part of comprehensive energy legislation. However, they do support the development of cellulosic ethanol and increased flex-fuel vehicles on the road. Under the agriculture section, the platform talks …
Colorado Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Confirmed
A cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant is planned for Grand Junction, Colorado. Lignol Energy Corporation has received approval from the U.S. Department of Energy to locate the facility on the western slope of Colorado. The approved location is a change from the originally proposed site adjacent to Suncor Energy refinery in Commerce City, Colorado. According to the company, the Grand Junction …
Lab to Test Ethanol Feedstock Powders
Gulf Ethanol Corporation has contracted a commercial testing laboratory to perform analysis on its preprocessed feedstock powders. Microbac Laboratories has over fifteen years’ experience in analyzing a wide range of biomass products. They work directly with national Renewable Energy Laboratories and various private entities to characterize and analyze biomass materials. According to a company release, Gulf Ethanol CEO Bill Carmichael …
Ag Secretary Defends Ethanol in WSJ
The Wall Street Journal published a letter to the editor this week from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer that defends ethanol and the nation’s biofuels policies. Schafer wrote the letter mainly in response to an op-ed by Texas Governor Rick Perry that appeared in the paper after EPA’s recent decision to deny his request to waive the Renewable Fuels …
Agribusinesses Join Forces for Cellulosic Ethanol
Three global agribusiness giants have teamed up to explore technologies and processes to turn crop residues into feed and bioenergy products. Archer Daniels Midland Company, Deere & Company and Monsanto Company will work together to identify environmentally and economically sustainable methods for the harvest, storage and transport of corn stover that can be used as feed for animals, as biomass …
Cellulosic Ethanol Close to Commercial
Doubts about commercial opportunities for cellulosic ethanol are evaporating: “It is no longer a question of if we are able to produce cellulosic ethanol, but when,” POET CEO Jeff Broin said. Jeff announced POET’s commitment to develop a commercial cellulosic ethanol plant in Elmersville, Iowa at the Ethanol Conference and Trade Show in Omaha, Nebraska earlier this month. Construction on …
Ethanol Potential in Georgia
Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia is proud that his home state is playing a role in the production of alternative, domestic fuels. “We’re not only producing ethanol from corn with a couple of facilities in south Georgia, but because of our soils and long growing season, we’re going to be a major participant in cellulosic based ethanol production as well,” …
USDA Meeting Will Address Farm Bill Energy Programs
USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas Dorr will hold a public meeting next month to work on implementing renewable energy programs authorized under the recently enacted farm bill. “Continuing to develop renewable energy is a key component of President Bush’s strategy to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil,” Dorr said. “This meeting is an opportunity for business owners, citizens …
Florida Farm to Fuel Summit On-Line
The third annual Florida Farm-to-Fuel Summit was a huge success with more than 460 participants, exceeding last year’s attendance according to organizers. Presentations are now available online at the conference website. The wide variety of presentations includes some very interesting information about alternative biofuels feedstocks, such as sweet sorghum, sugarcane, jatropha, perennial grasses and even sweet potatoes. Organizers of the …
Georgia Ethanol Plant Progress
Construction on what is expected to be the nation’s first commercial cellulosic ethanol plant in southeast Georgia is making good progress, according to plant officials. Range Fuels senior vice president of business development Bill Schafer gave an update on the project at last week’s Ethanol Conference and Trade Show in Omaha. “We expect to be producing ethanol next year,” Schafer …