A new USDA report says that about half of the cattle and hog operations in a 12-state Midwest region either fed ethanol co-products or considered feeding them to their livestock last year. This story from Cattle Network.com says about 9,400 livestock operations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin were surveyed. …
Saab: Minnesota Tops in E85
Sweden and Minnesota have a lot in common: Both are full of Swedes (OK, one more than the other), and both use a high percntage of E-85 ethanol. This article from the Saab (another Swedish product) web site makes a comparison between the country and the state that saw massive Swedish immigration in the late 19th century: Where Sweden is …
NCERC Teams up with Siemens
The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville has teamed up with Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc., the Georgia-based electrical, engineering, and automation giant, to speed up the development of alternative fuel technology. This story from the Chemical Online web site says a 10-year agreement between the two will involve hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment, …
Women and Ethanol
Women are heavy purchasers of fuel and most say they are willing to buy alternative fuels, but a recent survey indicates they need more information to make that choice at the pump. The survey was conducted by sending 9,000 emails to women readers of magazines published by Meredith Corporation, which includes some of the oldest and most popular, such as …
Ethanol and Energy Security
Weather-related problems that have caused damage to refineries in the Midwest have highlighted the need to diversify our nation’s transportation fuel needs. This issue is not only important for consumers who are feeling the pinch at the gas pump, but also for our country’s overall energy security. This edition of “Fill up, Feel Good” discusses ethanol’s benefits in terms of …
Bioenergy Booming in Oregon
A new study from Oregon State University says Oregon’s biofuels future remains pretty bright. This story from the OSU web site says renewable energy, ethanol and biodiesel in particular, will become a $2.5 billion industry in the state over the next 20 years: “We knew there was a lot of interest in this area and opportunities for growth, but it …
E85 Viper Beats Record
220.7 MPH is the new world record for a street car in the standing mile, achieved by a modified Dodge Viper running on 85 percent ethanol fuel, proving power and performance do not have to be sacrificed for environmental responsibility. The 1200 horsepower E85 Viper rocketed from a standstill to 220.7 MPH in one mile, taking 27.43 seconds at the …
Midwest Facing Fuel Shortages
In an effort to address low gasoline and diesel supplies caused by recent refinery outages, Iowa Governor Chet Culver has signed a proclamation to temporarily lift regulatory provisions that limit the number of hours gasoline and diesel truck drivers can be on the road, according to the governor’s office. Ethanol and biodiesel are also eligible for hauling subject to the …
Third POET Plant for Indiana
POET officials broke ground Friday for their third ethanol production facility in Indiana, this one near North Manchester. According to POET, the 65 million gallon per year facility will be one of the most environmentally friendly ethanol production facilities in operation today. It will utilize proprietary technology from POET, like the patent-pending BPX process that eliminates cooking in ethanol production …
Florida Follows California Energy Lead
Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed three Executive Orders Friday initiating Florida’s energy policy. The signing ceremony concluded the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change held in Miami this week. According to the governor’s press office, the Executive Orders carry out Governor Crist’s commitment to reducing Florida’s greenhouse gases and increasing energy efficiency. As a result, Florida will …