Among the challenges outlined by President Barack Obama in his inaugural address today was a nod to the need for alternative energy sources in our nation. “We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories,” the new president said as part of his paragraph on “work that needs to be …
Ethanol Plants to be Auctioned
Less than one year after the merger of VeraSun Energy and US BioEnergy, seven of the ethanol plants acquired in the merger are scheduled to be sold at auction. The auction will take place between March 16 and March 31. The merger of the two companies was final on April 1, 2008. Plants to be auctioned include two in Nebraska, …
Boulder Goes For 90% Ethanol, Biodiesel Vehicles
The vast majority of city government vehicles in Boulder, Colorado will run on biodiesel or ethanol within the next few years, if city planners have their way. This story from the Boulder Daily Camera says that the city hopes to raise last year’s goal of 60 percent of new vehicles purchased running on alternatives to 90 percent this year: Given …
Ethanol Plant Offers Barley Bonuses
A Virginia-based ethanol plant is offering incentives for regional farmers to produce barley for biofuel. Osage Bio Energy will award $1,000 to the farmers in each of seven states with the highest barley yield per acre. The top producer of the Barley Bin Builder Yield Contest will receive the grand prize of a GM FlexFuel pickup truck. “Osage Bio Energy’s …
USDA Provides Loan for Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
In one of his last official acts as Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Schafer announced today that USDA Rural Development has approved the first ever loan guarantee to a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant. Under the Biorefinery Assistance Program authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, USDA will provide an $80 million loan to Range Fuels of Soperton, Georgia. When fully operational in …
Florida Funds Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
Florida’s Farm to Fuel initiative is helping to fund the first commercial scale cellulosic ethanol facility in the state. Verenium Corporation has been awarded a $7 million grant as part of the initiative and will work with Florida agribusiness company Lykes Brothers to build the plant in Highlands county. Lykes will provide the necessary feedstock from approximately 20,000 acres adjacent …
Ag Secretary Hearing Touches on Ethanol
President-elect Obama’s choice for Secretary of Agriculture sailed through his Senate confirmation hearings this week and may be confirmed in time to take office on Inauguration Day. As expected, former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack faced no opposition in the Senate and no controversial questioning. With regard to biofuels in general and ethanol in particular, Vilsack stressed the importance of moving …
Virginia Gov Proposes Incentives for Renewable Energy
Virginia’s governor is proposing a series of grants and tax credits to help renewable energy sources, such as biodiesel, ethanol, solar and wind energy, grow in his state… and grow the green jobs that come with those sources. This story from Virginia Business says Gov. Timothy M. Kaine sees the green jobs and renewable energy as a way out of …