In about a week, I’ll be heading to Indianapolis for the 92nd Indianapolis 500. The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council will be spearheading all kinds of activities and events for members of Team Ethanol as usual. But, Team Ethanol Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay will be involved in more than autograph signings, meet-and-greets and exciting Indy racing. Ryan will also join Indy …
Ethanol Provisions in Farm Bill
Congressional negotiators Thursday announced a compromise 2007 Farm Bill that has new incentives for biofuels production. “The new Farm Bill will dramatically ramp up the agricultural sector’s capacity to produce clean, renewable energy,” said conference committee chairman Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). “Significantly, it provides more than a billion dollars to expand the supply of fuels made from biomass and crop …
Cellulosic Ethanol Focus at Hearing
A South Dakota lawmaker is urging Congress to allow cellulosic ethanol derived from woody biomass on federal lands to count towards the Renewable Fuels Standard. Current law prevents biofuels made from biomass that originates on public lands or any biomass from private land that is not ‘planted’ and ‘actively managed’ from being counted toward the RFS. During a hearing this …
Oil Company Invests in Cellulosic Ethanol
Marathon Oil has made a $10 million equity investment in the research and development of cellulosic ethanol at Mascoma Corporation The investment is part of $61 million raised in Mascoma’s third round of funding. As part of the investment, Marathon Senior Vice President Cliff Cook has joined the Mascoma Board of Directors. “This investment in Mascoma’s leading-edge technology reflects our …
Fungus Could Aid Ethanol Production
A fungus capable of breaking down cotton and other fibers could hold the key to improvements in the production of biofuels. Researchers led by Los Alamos National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute announced this week that the genetic sequence of the fungus Trichoderma reesei has uncovered important clues about how the organism breaks down plant …
Cellulosic Ethanol Start Up Reports Growth
A pioneer in the development of next-generation cellulosic ethanol and high-performance specialty enzymes is reporting record growth and advancement towards the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. Massachusetts-based Verenium Corporation reports that total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 were $15.2 million compared to $11.3 million for first quarter of 2007. Verenium CEO Carlos Riva says he is encouraged by …
GM Announces Second Cellulosic Ethanol Partnership
General Motors and Mascoma Corporation of Massachusetts today announced a strategic relationship to develop cellulosic ethanol. The development is focused on Mascoma’s single-step biochemical conversion of non-grain biomass into low-carbon alternative fuels to help address increasing energy demand. It ties in with another partnership announced earlier this year with Coskata that uses a thermo-chemical process to make ethanol from non-grain …
Importance of Ethanol
The development of agriculture-based biofuels is critical to revitalizing rural communities, according to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer. Speaking to farm broadcasters meeting in Washington, Schafer said managing the blending of energy and agriculture is one of the top priorities for USDA. “If we over the next ten years could convert one-fourth of the four billion barrels of foreign …
Georgia Looks to Renewables to Reduce Energy Usage
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue this week announced a commitment that Georgia’s state government will reduce its energy usage 15 percent by 2020 over the 2007 energy use levels through energy efficiency or in combination with renewable energy. To support further development of alternative energy in Georgia, Governor Perdue is creating an Energy Innovation Center that will enhance the economic development …
Oklahoma to Grow Switchgrass for Ethanol
The state of Oklahoma is getting into the switchgrass business for cellulosic ethanol production. The Oklahoma Bioenergy Center has secured land for more than 1,000 acres – the “world’s largest stand of switchgrass” – of production-scale demonstration fields. Planting will take place within the next 45 days. The land is located near Guymon in the state’s panhandle. This switchgrass field …