A study released Monday shows that Missouri drivers are saving money at the pump thanks to ethanol. According to research results announced at a press conference in the State Capitol, drivers in Missouri are expected to save an average of 9.8 cents per gallon this year due to the 10 percent ethanol standard that went into effect Jan. 1, 2008. …
Economists Discuss Food and Fuel Prices
Rising food prices continue to make headlines and all too often the blame is placed on the use of corn for ethanol. In this DomesticFuel Cast, we hear from two economists who have spent their entire careers studying farm and food prices – Jim Duffield with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and John Urbanchuk with the global economic analysis firm …
GenGreen
Online social networking is looking green… at GenGreen.org. Now, net-savvy Americans who are committed to living a more sustainable lifestyle can connect with other eco-conscious enthusiasts online. Members can share information and ideas and get updates on the latest news and developments in greener living. Biofuels and alternative energy are a big part of the “sustainable living made local” network. …
Saudi Oil Minister Blasts Biofuels
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources last week denounced ethanol as an alternative to petroleum-based motor fuels. In a speech to the International Oil Summit in Paris, Minister Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi said, “Let’s be realistic, ethanol and biofuels will not contribute to the protection of the global environment by reducing (carbon dioxide) emissions, they will not increase …
Texas Report Studies Ethanol and Food Prices
A study done by Texas A&M’s Agricultural and Food Policy Center concludes that corn prices have had little to do with rising food costs. The report, “The Effects of Ethanol on Texas Food and Fuel,” also finds that relaxing the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) would not result in lower corn prices for livestock and poultry feeders. According to the study, …
Alternative Wine
Parducci Wine Cellars is harnessing all sorts of alternative energy to produce its wine. The carbon neutral vintner now uses solar power, wind power and biodiesel tractors. Parducci effectively transferred all of its energy needs to non-polluting, renewable sources by supplementing its on-site solar power with Green-E(R) certified wind energy purchased from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. The annual positive environmental …
BASF Podcast Tackles Clean Diesel
This week’s Chemical of Innovations podcast from BASF explores how consumers can make exhaust fumes of their diesel vehicles cleaner through catalysts technology. In terms of design a diesel is much more efficient: It uses less fuel and emits less CO2. To purify diesel exhaust fumes is a challenge and only possible because manufacturers of catalytic converters like BASF Catalysts …
POET to Use Methane for Ethanol Plant
Under an agreement with the City of Sioux Falls, POET Biorefining – Chancellor will use methane generated from the Sioux Falls Regional Sanitary Landfill to provide energy for ethanol production. According to POET, the methane will initially displace 10 percent of the ethanol plant’s natural gas usage, increasing to 30 percent in 2025 as additional methane is generated. The methane, …
Ohio Funds Fuel Cell Research
Hydrogen fuel cell technology is getting a boost from the state of Ohio. The Ohio Department of Development and Ohio’s Third Frontier Commission has awarded Crown Equipment Corporation nearly one million dollars in grant money for additional fuel cell research. The development of fuel cells is a natural extension of Crown’s ongoing focus on environmental sustainability. As a technology leader …
“Biogasoline” Could Compete With Ethanol
Shell and Virent Energy Systems of Wisconsin have announced a joint research and development effort to convert plant sugars directly into gasoline and gasoline blend components instead of ethanol. According to the companies, “the sugars can be sourced from non-food sources like corn stover, switch grass, wheat straw and sugarcane pulp, in addition to conventional biofuel feedstock like wheat, corn …