Surprise, surprise… petroleum giant Texas has cut some of the state’s incentives to biofuels makers. The Dallas Morning News reports that lawmakers in the state legislature removed funding for biodiesel and ethanol because some complained that they were competing with the state’s petroleum industry. But some lawmakers see the move as short sighted: Rep. David Swinford, a Republican lawmaker from …
Ethanol Promotion Events
Kansas flex-fuel motorists can take advantage of bargain prices while pumping up the local economy at an E85 grand opening in Manhattan, Kansas on Friday. E85 will be available for $1.85 a gallon at the Farmers Cooperative Association in Manhattan. The first 50 cars to fill up with E85 will receive an IndyCar® Series #17 Team Ethanol diecast car. Free …
“e” Marks the Spot in Illinois
Representatives from the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) were on hand last week to introduce the “e” brand to Illinois at an Illinois Corn Marketing Board event in the Village of Northbrook. EPIC’s Director of Operations, Robert White, says significant developments such as the Renewable Fuels Standard in the Energy Bill, higher gasoline prices and positive media coverage of …
Report Highlights Future of Ethanol
A National Research Council report released today examines policy options and identifies opportunities for new agricultural techniques and technologies to help minimize effects of biofuel production on water resources. While many media reports have focused on the potential effects increased corn ethanol production could have on water supplies and quality, the report was focused on identified options for addressing those …
Iowa Lawmaker Proposes 20% Renewable Standard
As Iowa Governor Chet Culver wants to make the Hawkeye State the renewable energy capitol of the world, one legislator says he will propose legislation to achieve that goal. This story on WHO-TV (Des Moines) says Senator Jack Hatch says he will propose a 20 percent renewable energy standard for the state when legislature comes back together during the next …
Biofuel Capital of Missouri
While I was on my way to do some field work this weekend I passed this sign driving into Audrain County, MO. Since all you’re going to see is fields of corn and soybeans (mostly now harvested) it’s easy to see why they can make this claim. The county is also the home to a multiple biofuels production facilities.
Blender Pumps for Minnesota
Border States Cooperative has opened Minnesota’s first ethanol “blender pumps” in Ortonville, near the South Dakota border. The blender pumps allow motorists to choose several different blends of ethanol from the legally mandated 10 percent up to 85 percent. Border States Cooperative officials say they put the blender pumps in last year for E85 but were unable to use them …
Latest Ethanol Figures
Ethanol production continued to grow in July, averaging 421,000 barrels per day, according to the Energy Information Administration. Ethanol demand, as calculated by the Renewable Fuels Association, also increased to 446,000 barrels per day. RFA reports that, so far this year, the U.S. is averaging 399,000 b/d with average demand exceeding production at nearly 425,000 b/d. Currently, 130 ethanol biorefineries …
Greening Mayfield’s Brownfield
A proposed ethanol plant in Mayfield, Pennsylvania is planning to be a green new breed. Northeast Ethanol would not only be the first ethanol plant in Pennsylvania, it plans to have “the world’s smallest environmental footprint. No odor. No noise. No wastewater from the process.” According to the company’s website, the design of the plant calls for the world’s latest …
Announcing WIREC 2008
The United States will host the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference March 4-6, 2008. The conference, which has been held previously in Bonn and Beijing, is an opportunity for government, private sector, and non-governmental leaders to jointly address the goal of advancing renewable energy. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky hosted stakeholders in the renewable …