The oil loving Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an article today about the “peak of gasoline”. Many analysts are predicting that with the rise in biofuels production, fuel economy and gasoline prices (although they are holding steady around $2.00 per gallon on average) and the current depressed state of the economy, we’ve seen “peak” gasoline use, at least in the …
Verenium Introduces Veretase
Verenium Corporation today announced a new enzyme for the food and beverage industry called Veretase. This enzyme was developed for the liquefaction of starch-based mashes and slurries specifically for use in food and beverage applications. The enzyme improves saccharification and fermentation efficiency and consistency. “Verenium is pleased to introduce this unique enzyme specifically designed to improve the economics and efficiency …
Valero Invests in Biofuels Company Terrabon
BP has been marketing itself as “Beyond Petroleum” for several years now but it appears that Valero is vying for the top spot in “green energy”. Valero has now invested in Terrabon, a company that is developing technology to produce “green” gasoline through the conversion of trash from landfills to energy. Terrabon’s main technology for biofuels is MixAlco, an advanced …
Missouri Ethanol Group Reaches Out to Consumers
Missouri’s ethanol producers are reaching out to consumers with a new website and print ad campaign. The Missouri Renewable Fuels Association (MoRFA) website contains research and information about ethanol, links to other renewable fuel articles and an overview of the state’s farmer-owned biorefineries. Also featured on the new site are three print ads currently running in many Missouri newspapers that …
Drive Clean and Green in NC
A caravan of more than than 24 alternative fuel vehicles will leave from Raleigh, NC on April 15 at 3:30 p.m. and travel across the state. The Clean Fuel Advanced Technology program at the NC Solar Center is leading a clean transportation technology drive across North Carolina. The tour will continue with stops in Greensboro and Charlotte on April 16.
Aventine Claims “Extra RINS” Cause for Bankruptcy
While most ethanol companies blame financial troubles on high commodity and energy prices, Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. has thrown a new reason into the ring — blaming its bankruptcy on the availability of excessive Renewable Identification Number credits or RIN. RINS are used by the EPA to track how much ethanol is being blended into the the fuel supply. …
USDA Sees No Change in Corn Use for Ethanol
The April World Supply and Demand report out today from USDA lowers ending stocks for corn, but keeps corn use for ethanol the same. Corn ending stocks were cut by 40 million bushels “as higher expected feed and residual use more than offsets a reduction in food, seed and industrial use.” Food, seed, and industrial use was lowered 10 million …
CBO Report Not All Bad for Ethanol
A new Congressional Budget Office report shows other factors actually had a bigger impact on food prices last year than ethanol did and that ethanol is reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Most media reports have focused on the findings in the report, “The Impact of Ethanol Use on Food Prices and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions,” that from April 2007 to April 2008, the …