A pioneer in the development of next-generation cellulosic ethanol and high-performance specialty enzymes is reporting record growth and advancement towards the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. Massachusetts-based Verenium Corporation reports that total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 were $15.2 million compared to $11.3 million for first quarter of 2007. Verenium CEO Carlos Riva says he is encouraged by …
Opposition to Ethanol Waiver Demand
Two dozen Republican Senators, including presidential candidate John McCain, are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard they just passed as part of the energy bill in December in an effort to cut food prices. Other senators disagree. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin of Iowa says the request would cut short the promise of biofuels …
Florida Requires Ethanol Use
Despite all the outcry about ethanol in the media, Florida is bucking the trend and establishing a renewable fuel standard, requiring ethanol to make up 10 percent of Florida’s total fuel supply by 2010. Florida’s comprehensive “Green Energy” bill passed by the 2008 Florida Legislature last week includes a variety of other initiatives, prompted by Governor Charlie Crist, who praised …
Iowa State Study Finds Ethanol Lowers Fuel Prices
Claims that ethanol production drives up gas prices don’t hold up after a study from Iowa State University. ISU’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development has taken a look at the impact of ethanol production on U.S. and regional gas prices and found that ethanol production actually lowers prices at the pump. Using pooled regional time-series data and panel data …
POET Cancels Construction of Ethanol Plant
A long delay in permitting has led POET, the world’s largest producer of ethanol, to cancel plans for construction of a new facility in Glenville, MN. Larry Ward, Vice President of Project Development for POET, says permitting has delayed the project for over a year. “When we selected Glenville for a second ethanol production facility, we believed that we would …
EPIC Speaks Out Against Ethanol Scapegoating
The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council has gathered data from multiple sources that debunk claims that America’s renewable fuels are a large player in soaring food prices. Toni Nuernberg, the Executive Director of EPIC wants to spread the word that changing the nation’s renewable fuels standard is not the answer to driving down global food costs. Recent calls to reduce …
Former Ag Secretary Defends Ethanol
Former Secretary of Agriculture John Block can look at the food versus fuel issue from a number of angles. He ran the U.S. Department of Agriculture under President Reagen from 1981-1986. He was executive vice president of the Food Marketing Institute, which represents food retailers and wholesalers. He serves on the board of Friends of the World Food Program, a …
Ethanol Closer to Little Bo Peep
Is ethanol Little Bo Peep or the Ax Murderer? That’s the question National Corn Growers CEO Rick Tolman presented to the media during a press conference in Washington DC on Wednesday, pointing to the front page article on ethanol and corn prices in the Washington Post as being the latest example of making ethanol out to be the ax murderer. …
Renewable Energy Bill Passes Florida Legislature
A comprehensive energy bill has passed the Florida legislature, and now goes to the governor for an expected signature. This story from the Orlando (FL) Sun-Sentinel says the measure has provisions specifically addressing renewable energy in the state: The bill, which addresses Gov. Charlie Crist’s call for policies that combat global warming, is made up of 112 sections that could …
GM Announces Second Cellulosic Ethanol Partnership
General Motors and Mascoma Corporation of Massachusetts today announced a strategic relationship to develop cellulosic ethanol. The development is focused on Mascoma’s single-step biochemical conversion of non-grain biomass into low-carbon alternative fuels to help address increasing energy demand. It ties in with another partnership announced earlier this year with Coskata that uses a thermo-chemical process to make ethanol from non-grain …