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 …
Pacific NW Ethanol Plant Opens
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski cut the ribbon on the Pacific Northwest’s first commercial ethanol plant Friday in Boardman. The plant, built by California-based Pacific Ethanol, will produce 40 million gallons of ethanol yearly to help meet the current City of Portland’s Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and will help supply fuel for the implementation of Oregon’s upcoming RFS slated to begin …
Cows Are Like Ethanol Plants
Here is a riddle for you – “How is a cow like an ethanol production plant?” That question was posed at a booth manned by Nick Baker of the U. S. Dairy Forage Research Center at last week’s World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. Baker explained to expo visitors that basically the cow’s rumen uses microbes to break down forage …
Illinois Pump Labeling
The “e” is coming to Illinois. The Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) this week introduced a voluntary statewide brand initiative for ethanol fuel including E10 (10% ethanol-enriched fuel) and E85 (85% ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline). According to ICMB, they are working with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC), the American Lung Association of Illinois and the Illinois Petroleum …