Synthetic Biology for Next-Generation Biofuels
The 2009 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, is in full swing in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and I had the opportunity to listen in to a webinar sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). The session focused on the technical and commercial advances in the use of synthetic biology for next-generation biofuels. Four companies participated in the panel and …
RFA: Adopt E15 with E12 Interim Step
The end of the E15 comment period has provided a whirlwind of activity among the ethanol industry. Yesterday, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) along with many other ethanol and agricultural organizations, filed comments with the EPA. In their comments, the RFA introduced previously non-submitted data supporting a move to E15. However, although they support the adoption of E15, they also …
ACE & 7,000 Supporters File Comments With EPA
The comment period for the Green Jobs Waiver ended yesterday and the EPA has until December 1, 2009 to rule on the waiver request. Yesterday, The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), filed official comments with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. In addition, nearly 7,000 people signed ACE’s petition in support of the approval to blend up to E15 in gasoline. Signatures …
As E15 Comment Period Closes AIAM Opposes
Comments were due today to the EPA regarding the Green Jobs Waiver that would allow up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) in gasoline. Just as the clock ran out, The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) filed comments opposing the waiver request. It is no coincidence that AIAM filed their comments at a time when others could not respond. However, …
Ethanol Plant in Welcome, MN Begins Production
It is a very happy time for the community of Welcome, Minnesota as their corn ethanol plant is finally producing ethanol. The plant has been idle for more than a year due to VeraSun Energy’s bankruptcy. The halt in bringing the plant online caused the community to feel a significant economic loss. The plant was one of seven purchased by …
CleanTech Biofuels Partners with Fiberight
With the slurry of marriages and divorces in the biofuels and biomass industry, it is hard to keep up. In the municipal sold waste arena, CleanTech Biofuels has announced a joint research agreement with Fiberight to establish, “the anticipated yields and operating costs from using biomass produced by CleanTech Biofuels for the production of ethanol using Fiberight’s proprietary enzymatic processes.” …
BBI Releases New CHP Report
BBI International has released a technical report on combined heat and power (CHP) that addresses the impact on statewide renewable portfolio standards (RPS) when companies install biomass fired combined heat and power facilities (CHP) onto current ethanol production plants. This report focuses specifically on Illinois, which currently produces 976 MGY of ethanol, with an additional 188 MGY of capacity under …
Proposed Ethanol Pipeline to Extend into SD
f built, the route would begin in Davison County, S.D. — further west than O’Brien County, Iowa, as originally planned — and deliver the alternative fuel from plants in Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio to distribution terminals in the northeastern United States. Magellan has been working with the Association of Oil Pipe Lines for years on how …