Communicating Renewables a Timely Topic

Cindy Zimmerman

The Communicating Renewables Summit coming up in Minneapolis April 21-23 is a timely event for those involved in the alternative energy arena. The conference is designed specifically for the challenging task of getting the positive message about all renewables out to consumers, stakeholders, policy leaders and the media. Conference organizer Joanna Schroeder with 4RCommunications says she came up with the …

Biodiesel, communications, conferences, Ethanol, Solar, Wind

US and Canada Agree on Clean Energy

Cindy Zimmerman

President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that the United States and Canada will collaborate on developing clean energy technology to combat climate change. It was the only concrete agreement to come out of the first meeting between the two leaders this week. Prior to the meeting, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association President Gordon Quaiattini and U.S. …

Ethanol, Government, International, News, RFA

Greater Ohio Ethanol Plant Sold

Cindy Zimmerman

An ethanol plant in Lima, Ohio has been granted a new lease on life with the approved sale of the bankrupt facility to a new owner. According to a story from the Lima News, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio gave final approval this week for the sale of Greater Ohio (GO) Ethanol to Paladin Capital …

Ethanol, Facilities, News

Biofuels Council Founder Appointed to Advisory Board

Cindy Zimmerman

The Latin American biofuels development firm of Santiago & Sinclair has appointed Sean O’Hanlon, founder and executive director of the American Biofuels Council (ABC), to their advisory board. The firm is comprised of experts who assist organizations looking to enter the biofuels sector in Latin America. “As the founder of one of the most influential biofuels associations in America, Sean …

Biodiesel, Energy, Ethanol, International, News

More Sorghum Projected for Ethanol Use

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA’s World Agricultural Supply Demand report for February projects more sorghum to be used for ethanol. According to the report, sorghum food, seed, and industrial use is projected 40 million bushels higher based on indications of increased sorghum use by ethanol plants in the Southern and Central Plains. The report also noted that ethanol blender and producer margins have recently …

corn, Ethanol, News, sorghum

BP and Verenium Form Cellulosic Ethanol Venture

Cindy Zimmerman

BP and Verenium Corporation have taken another step in a partnership announced last year by forming a joint venture to develop and commercialize cellulosic ethanol from non-food feedstocks. Both companies have agreed to commit $45 million in funding and assets to the company. The collaboration will be focused on the development of a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facility in Highlands County, …

Cellulosic, Ethanol

Record Distillers Grains Exports

Cindy Zimmerman

Exports of the primary by-product of ethanol production are continuing to skyrocket. According to USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service, exports of distillers grains from the United States nearly doubled last year, up more than 90% from 2007 to total 4.51 million metric tons. Distillers grains are an ethanol co-product used as livestock feed. About one-third of every bushel of corn used …

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, RFA, USDA

Stimulus Includes Billions for Renewables

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable energy and biofuels are among the big winners in the $787 billion economic stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama today. “Because we know we can’t power America’s future on energy that’s controlled by foreign dictators, we are taking big steps down the road to energy independence, laying the groundwork for new green energy economies that can create countless …

Energy, Ethanol, Farming, Government, News