African Nations Join Global Renewable Fuels Group

Cindy Zimmerman

Fourteen southern African nations are now members of the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance. The Southern African Biofuels Alliance has joined forces alliance to help “promote biofuels friendly policies throughout the world.” Andrew Makenete, President of the Southern African Biofuels Association (SABA) called on other nations to speak out in favour of policies that would promote investment in biofuels particularly in …

biofuels, Ethanol, International, RFA

Renewable Energy in First 100 Days Progress Report

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack counted progress toward energy independence among the Obama administration’s first 100 days accomplishments. During a meeting in Washington DC with agricultural journalists this week, Vilsack said implementing the 2008 Farm Bill was his number one priority when he took the office of secretary. “The president gave me an instruction when he hired me to continue …

Energy, Ethanol, Government, USDA

Farm Bureau Supports Increasing Ethanol Blend Level

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Farm Bureau Federation believes the federal government should increase the ethanol blend level up to 15 percent to help protect the environment, create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign oil. In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Lisa Jackson, AFBF president Bob Stallman said increasing the ethanol blend level up to 15 percent from the current level of …

Ethanol, Farming, Government

Several POET Plants Earn Safety Award

Joanna Schroeder

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF)has recognized eight POET plants with the Annual Product Stewardship Award  for their records of safe transport. BNSF presents the award to shippers who transport a minimum of 500 loaded tank cars of hazardous materials during the previous year with zero non-accident incidents. Earlier this year, several plants received a safety award from Union …

Company Announcement, Ethanol, transportation

Ethanol Nameplate to Run at 67% Through 2010

Joanna Schroeder

The ethanol industry received some negative news today compliments of the newly released Soyatech Biofuels Monitor, a publication from HighQuest Partners. The study projects that for First Quarter 2009 the U.S. ethanol industry will operate at 67 percent of nameplate capacity through 2010. The study authors, in part, based their predications on data from the USDA Planting Intentions report that …

Company Announcement, Ethanol, Production, Research

Scientists to Talk Biofuels at Symposium

Cindy Zimmerman

The 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals is coming up May 3-6 in San Francisco, with more than 800 scientists expected to attend sessions on topics ranging from commercialization of biofuels and their long-term sustainability to emerging technologies and turning algae into fuel. Government and private sector support for research, development and deployment of renewable fuels and chemicals …

algae, Biodiesel, Biotech, conferences, Ethanol

Hereford Biofuels Sold As Part of Bankruptcy

Joanna Schroeder

One of the most notable ethanol plants in the country was sold today.  The Hereford ethanol plant, which is most noted for its plan to turn more than 1 billion pounds of manure into fuel for the boilers that supply steam for the plant, was sold to its creditors for $25 million in credit. Societe Generale, is the lender and …

Ethanol, News

KL Energy Corporation Expanding Into Brazil

Joanna Schroeder

KL Energy Corporation, based in Rapid City, South Dakota, has announced a partnership agreement with add blue Ltda, based in São Paulo, Brazil, to build a cellulosic ethanol plant in Brazil utilizing KL Energy’s cellulosic ethanol technology for the use of sugarcane bagasse and straw feedstock. The plant will use KL Energy’s enzymatic process which will be integrated into a …

Cellulosic, Company Announcement, Ethanol, International

Canadian’s Support of Biofuels Strong

Joanna Schroeder

Public support for biofuels continues to grow in Canada according to national poll results released today. The poll was conducted by Praxicus Public Strategies and funded by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. When respondents were asked if they support replacing some fossil fuels with renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, 69 percent said yes. This is an improvement from last …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, International

Ethanol Report on California ARB Decision

Cindy Zimmerman

California has adopted the first-ever fuel requirement that is carbon-based – and that’s a good thing. “What is frustrating to the ethanol industry is that the board still went ahead and approved a program that has some really ridiculous land use data,” says Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen. Despite the Board’s vote, Dinneen says RFA remains cautiously …

Audio, Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, News, RFA