Ethanol refiners are looking at ways of getting more products out of the raw ingredients they are using, and one of those new products could be biodiesel. Normally, corn is used to make ethanol and soybeans are used in biodiesel. But this article on the Truth About Trade & Technology web site says many ethanol plants are looking at changing …
Ethanol Making OPEC Re-think Business
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries… better known as OPEC… is starting to feel the heat of the increased use of biofuels. And the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition is asking you help keep them on the ropes. In a release sent to Domestic Fuel, the NEVC outlined what OPEC is saying and how the NEVC wants you to get …
RFA Praises Proposed Energy Bill
As I reported earlier, there’s a lot of contention over the current energy bill being debated in the U.S. Senate as different factions try to get federal dollars, incentives, and requirements that will help their renewable (and, of course, non-renewable) energy industries. But one group that is pleased is the Renewable Fuels Association. In a statement e-mailed to energy.agwired.com, the …
E is Indy
The slogan for the Indy Racing League is “I am Indy,” and that’s especially true for ethanol producers who are proud to be a part of this great sport. This month’s “Fill up, Feel Good” features comments from Tom Branhan of Glacial Lakes Energy, Don Endres of VeraSun Energy, Todd Lucey of Endress+Hauser, Team Ethanol car driver Jeff Simmons, and …
Blame Energy Prices for Higher Food Costs
According to a new analysis of food, energy and corn prices conducted by John Urbanchuk of LECG, LLC, “rising energy prices had a more significant impact on food prices than did corn.” In fact, rising energy prices have twice the impact on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food than does the price of corn, according to the report. “Energy …
Contentious Energy Bill Stalls in U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate has hit an impasse over a proposed energy bill that makes larger allowances for alternative energy, in particular, wind power, than previous energy bills. This AP story from Forbes.com says Democrats had hopes for an early vote on the measure, but Republicans were against many of the measures in the omnibus bill: The impasse over renewable fuels …
Experts Warn of Ethanol Glut
Some experts are warning that the rapid growth in ethanol production could outpace this country’s ability to use it, possibly causing a glut of the alternative fuel. This story in the Los Angeles Times says possible distribution issues won’t help the matter: “It’s going to be a little bit of a bumpy ride, I think, but in the long run …
SunOpta Gains Major Cellulosic Ethanol Investor
Cellulosic ethanol maker SunOpta has received a $30 million investment from international financing firm BlackRock. More details of the plan issuing non-dividend bearing, convertible preferred shares was announced in a company press release: Murray Burke, President of SunOpta BioProcess Inc. commented, “This financing represents a strong endorsement of our technology and leadership position in cellulosic ethanol. Proceeds will be used …
First Ethanol Co-product Report Due Soon
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has set June 29th as the date for its first-ever report on how livestock producers are using ethanol co-products for cattle and hog feeds. This from the USDA’s web site: The report, entitled Ethanol Co-Products Used for Livestock Feed, will highlight results of a survey conducted by NASS with the support of the Nebraska Corn …
US BioEnergy Celebrates Ethanol Plant Ground Breaking
This Friday, officials with US BioEnergy including CEO Gordon Ommen, along with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Fagen, Inc. CEO Ron Fagen, Minnesota Corn Growers Association Vice President Roger Moore, and local officials will celebrate the groundbreaking of a 100-million-gallon-a-year ethanol plant at Janesville, Minnesota. The ceremony starts at 11:00 a.m. In a release, US BioEnergy explains the importance of this …