The lowly alfalfa crop could play a role in the future of cellulosic ethanol. Alfalfa is the nation’s most popular legume and actually our third most valuable crop, but it is often taken for granted and somewhat under valued. However, the many benefits of the crop could make it a potential frontrunner in the cellulosic ethanol race, especially if new …
Get Ready to FuelChat Again
Clear your calendar for a #FuelChat coming up next week on September 23 at 2:00 pm Eastern time. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is hosting this second open on-line Twitter chat to answer questions and offer information about all things ethanol. The first FuelChat was held in July during the evening hours but after some consultation and research, it was …
Ethanol to Be Made From Dates in Iraq
Prior to the US-led invasion of Iraq, the country produced more than 900,000 ton of dates per year. The country only used about 150,000 ton so the remaining was exported. However, since 2003 the market for Iraqi dates has dried up to the point where only about 350,000 ton of them are produced annually. Iraq’s excess dates end up rotting …
RFA Announces Flex Fuel Photo Winner
Snapping a photo of his daughter stopping to smell the flowers paid off for Rich Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska who has been named the winner of the Renewable Fuels Association Flex-Fuel Challenge Summer Photo Contest. Rich’s photo was judged based on creativity as well as quality out of more than 1,100 photos submitted in the contest this summer. As the …
Mansfield Oil Contracts with Heron Lake BioEnergy for Ethanol
“This is our first new plant relationship since our acquisition of C&N and is a real demonstration of the confidence placed in Mansfield and C&N as a thriving, independent marketing partner,” said Douglas Haugh, EVP of Mansfield Oil. “Our strengths are logistics, marketing, and the supply chain automation technology that refiners are increasingly requiring of their ethanol suppliers. Working transparently …
Ethanol in the Classroom
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF) are partnering with teachers and the National FFA Organization to provide tens of thousands of high school students information about the opportunities available to them in the field of renewable fuels. “America’s energy future rests squarely in its high school classrooms today,” said Mike Jerke, chairman of the RFF …
Big Oil Predicts Big Growth for Ethanol, Biodiesel
The largest oil and gas producer in the country is predicting that in 20 years, there will be more ethanol and biodiesel than gasoline and diesel produced in the U.S. Bloomberg.com reports that Katrina Landis, head of BP’s alternative-energy unit, made the claim that biofuels will replace about 25 percent of gasoline and 8 percent of diesel in 2030, raising …
Enerkem Breaks Ground on Waste-to-Biofuels Facility
Canadian company Enerkem has broken ground on a new energy research facility. This company press release says the advanced waste-to-biofuels facility is a partnership with the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta,: The research facility, a collaboration between Enerkem, the City of Edmonton and the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI), will focus on the conversion of various types …
State of SD Adds 3 E85 Dispensers
The state fleet in South Dakota will soon be able to fuel up with E85 at three new dispensing units. The sites will be in Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Pierre to assist with the Department of Transportation. About 1,270 of the state’s fleet are E85 compatible and purchased about 32,640 gallons of the clean, alternative fuel at private facilities …
Mascoma and Chevron Team for Cellulosic Ethanol
An agreement between Mascoma Corporation and Chevron Technology Ventures will provide feedstock for conversion to cellulosic ethanol and by-products. According to a press release, Mascoma has entered into a feedstock processing and lignin supply agreement with Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV), a division of Chevron U.S.A., Inc. Under terms of the agreement, CTV will provide various sources of lignocellulosic feedstock to …