Farm state lawmakers led by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) have reached a compromise with Democratic leadership in the House on the so-called climate change bill that makes it more palatable to agriculture and biofuels interests. Part of the agreement includes allowing USDA to have oversight for agricultural carbon offset programs instead of EPA. “The climate change bill will include a …
Ethanol Report on Safety
Recent accidents involving transportation fuel, including ethanol, have highlighted the importance of safety when it comes to moving flammable and hazardous materials. It turns out that the tanker truck explosion in California on June 13 was actually carrying petroleum, not ethanol as the media reported, but the Canadian National Railway train that derailed in Illinois over the weekend was carrying …
Ethanol Industry Official Recieves ASTM Award
The Director of Technical Services for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has been recognized by ASTM International for her work on behalf of America’s ethanol producers to make sure fuel ethanol meets standards and has access to petroleum markets across the country. Kristy Moore received the Award of Appreciation from ASTM International’s Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants, which …
Energy Secretary on Ethanol in Iowa
During a visit to Des Moines Monday, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu gave some hope to ethanol supporters hoping that the federal government will approve a waiver that would allow up to 15 percent ethanol blends for standard vehicles. “I don’t want to prejudge what they’re going to find, but if the existing automobile fleet can handle 15 percent, I …
NREL & Google Launch Alternative Fuel Map
Don’t know where to buy your biodiesel? Un-enlightened about ethanol’s whereabouts? Perplexed about propane? Well, a new tool from the National Renewable Energy Labs and Google could help you be a more active alternative fuel buyer. Ecogeek.org reports that the two have launched TransAtlas, an interactive map that shows all existing and planned alternative fuel stations across the country: The …
E85 Comes to Sacramento
The clean burning alternative is selling for $.66 less per gallon than regular unleaded at the Valero. Sasha Faught of Natomas, who owns a flex-fuel Chevy Tahoe, has been using E85. “I want to be green,” she said. “Let’s face it, we’re using up our resources. It’s smart to get on with it.” The new E85 dispensers were funded mainly …
Sudanese Government Opens First Ethanol Plant
The Sudanese government celebrated a milestone today with the opening of its first ethanol plant. The facility will produce 65 million litres and will expand to 200 mlpy within two years. The government is an investor in the plant which is using products from the local sugar mill as its feedstock. In addition to the launch of the ethanol refinery, …
Corn Ethanol Land Use Conference Planned
The National Corn Growers Association is planning a conference in August to focus on land use and climate impacts of corn-based ethanol. The conference will feature sessions on topics such as land use change, nitrous oxide, new technologies and their effect on greenhouse gas emissions, domestic and international yields, satellite data and land conversion greenhouse gas emission factors, defining renewable …