Qteros: Cellulosic Ethanol Production Breakthrough

Joanna Schroeder

Qteros, formerly Sun Ethanol, recently announced that it has broken the barrier of ethanol production from cellulosic biomass feedstocks such as corn stover, sugarcane and woody biomass. As most biofuels companies report the production of 50 grams of ethanol per liter, Qteros says it is now producing 70 grams of ethanol per liter or approximately 100 gallons per ton. The …

biofuels, Company Announcement, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Fiber to Fuel Company Fiberight to Construct Mini Mills

Joanna Schroeder

Innovative waste company Fiberight is on the move. Relatively quiet over the past few years as they perfected their waste-to-fuel technology, they are now ready to showcase their enhanced fiber separation technology (EFST). The company is building ‘mini mills’ next to landfills in order to be close to their feedstock: garbage. This reduces their feedstock transportation costs. In addition, the …

biomass, Ethanol News

Senators Urge EPA to Approve Higher Ethanol Blends

Cindy Zimmerman

A bipartisan group of nearly 20 senators have sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging approval of up to 15 percent ethanol blends in regular gasoline. The letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson was signed by Senators John Thune (R-SD), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Claire McCaskill …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

Nebraska Students Win Award for Ethanol Report

Cindy Zimmerman

Eight journalism students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are receiving a national award for an in-depth report on ethanol. The report titled “Ethanol: Salvation or Damnation?” has taken first place in a student reporting category in the Society of Environmental Journalism’s 2009 awards. According to SEJ, “the students took a vital issue in their community and shone a light on …

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Brazil Ethanol Group Supports E15

Cindy Zimmerman

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) provided comments to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of the request for increasing the amount of ethanol allowed to be blended into regular gasoline in the United States up to 15 percent. In the final days of the comment period for the waiver request, UNICA submitted a 15 page document to EPA outlining …

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Winners of $6.3 Million for Biofuels Research Selected

Joanna Schroeder

And the money keeps a coming. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the joint selection of awards of up to $6.3 million towards fundamental genomics-enabled research leading to the improved use of plant feedstocks or biofuel production. The seven projects announced came after the end  of the green jobs …

biofuels, Ethanol News, USDA

Phibro: Dried Distillers Grains Safe

Joanna Schroeder

There has been concern about the quality of dried distillers grains (DDG) but once again, tests show that they are safe. Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PHAC) has just released test results from its Ethanol Performance Group™ that no virginiamycin has been detected in distillers’ grain. Virginiamycin is the active ingredient in Lactrol®, the company’s market leading antimicrobial for ethanol production. …

Company Announcement, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Night at the Races

Joanna Schroeder

Nebraska corn farmers are teaming up with the Junction Motor Speedway to promote Ethanol Night at the Races. The event takes place during Junction Motor Speedway’s Fifth-Annual O’Reilly POWRi Cornhusker Midget Challenge happening Tuesday, July 28 and Wednesday, July 29.  The race brings the best of the best to compete for the twin “Cornhusker Crystal & Chrome” trophies. Hamilton, York …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Promotion, Racing