Scientists at the USDA might have found a way to keep switchgrass forever young and better for cellulosic ethanol. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) geneticist Sarah Hake, working with University of California-Berkeley plant geneticist George Chuck, found that taking a gene from corn called corngrass and inserting it into switchgrass keeps the grass always in a juvenile form that doesn’t flower, …
Renewable Energy Part of Obama Acceptance
Renewable energy was part of President Obama’s acceptance speech Thursday night as the Democratic nominee for 2012. “We have doubled our use of renewable energy, and thousands of Americans have jobs today building wind turbines and long-lasting batteries,” Obama said to applause. “In the last year alone, we cut oil imports by 1 million barrels a day, more than any …
Vilsack Talks Biofuels at DNC
Delegates gathered to nominate Pres. Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC heard from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who pointed to his boss’ commitment to biofuels and rural America. “President Obama has a detailed plan for a new rural economy,” Vilsack told the delegates. “More support for small businesses making, creating and innovating. More investment …
Ethanol Eliminates 100 Mil Tons of Green House Gases
A new report from an international group promoting biofuels says the forecasted amount of global ethanol production this year will eliminate green house gas (GHG) emissions of 100 million tons in 2012. The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) has released its annual forecast and puts the amount equal to 20.2 million cars being taken off the road.. the total number …
Lallemand Acquires Yeast Co., Expands Ethanol Biz
Canadian company Lallemand, which researches, develops, produces, markets and distributes yeast and bacteria, has acquired Atlanta, Georgia-based North American Bioproducts Corporation (NABC), a provider of yeast and fermentation adjuncts as well as support and education services for the ethanol industry, to form a larger business to make ethanol. This new Business Unit, yet to be named, will be headquartered in …
Companies Point to Successes to Justify RFS
As the EPA considers a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) due to the impact the drought is having on corn supplies, members of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, BIO, are urging the agency to preserve the standard. During a news conference today, BIO provided a progress report on advanced biofuels to make the case in favor of the RFS, …
Biofuel Groups File Brief in RFS Challenge
Seven biofuel organizations filed a brief Tuesday in a case by the American Petroleum Institute challenging the 2012 cellulosic and advanced biofuel requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The groups include the Advanced Biofuels Association, the Advanced Ethanol Council, the American Coalition for Ethanol, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, Growth Energy, the National Biodiesel Board, and the Renewable Fuels Association. …
NCGA Officer Says They Respect RFS Waiver Process
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) continues to support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and respects the process that allows for a waiver to be considered by the Environmental Protection Agency. That according to NCGA First Vice President Pam Johnson of Floyd, Iowa who talked about the issue during an interview last week at the 2012 Farm Progress Show. “If …
Syngenta Corn Trait Offers Ethanol Efficiency
A new corn trait from Syngenta can offer increased efficiency for ethanol plants and premiums for farmers who grow it. Enogen corn was specifically developed for ethanol production and just fully approved by USDA in February 2011. According to David Witherspoon with Syngenta, Enogen contains alpha amylase, one of the primary enzymes used in ethanol production. “So when this corn …
New Holland Promotes Ethanol at Farm Progress Show
New Holland was all about American Ethanol at the 2012 Farm Progress Show this past week in Boone, Iowa. “This year we’ve got a whole emphasis on a brand new partnership with American Ethanol,” said New Holland North America Vice President Abe Hughes about the equipment and signage at the show exhibit promoting ethanol and the NASCAR partnership. “We’re putting …