Ethanol has been blamed for both higher egg prices and higher milk prices recently due to higher costs for livestock feed. Overall, the American Farm Bureau Federation reports that for the first quarter of this year, food prices are about four percent higher than the previous quarter. Farm Bureau’s regular market basket survey shows 12 of 16 basic grocery items …
Thune Hosts Ethanol Hearing
Senator John Thune this week hosted a hearing in his state on the growing need for ethanol research and availability. The Senate Agriculture Committee’s energy subcommittee field hearing on “The Next Frontier of Biofuels Production: Cellulosic Ethanol and the 2007 Farm Bill” included testimony from representatives of VeraSun Energy, Poet (the company formally known as Broin), South Dakota Corn Growers, …
E85 Viper Tries for Speed Record
A Dodge Viper fueled with 85 percent ethanol will attempt to break a world speed record this week. According to a media advisory, car enthusiast and entrepreneur Karl Jacob will attempt to break the world speed record for the standing mile in his street-legal, biofuel powered 1100hp E85 Dodge Viper. The attempt will be made on April 11 at the …
Ethanol on the Campaign Trail
At least three GOP presidential candidates were talking about biofuels on Wednesday. In his campaign kickoff address, Republican Tommy Thompson, former Governor of Wisconsin, noted that his state “saw the promise of ethanol and renewable energy far before it was fashionable.” On the environment and energy, America must become independent in its energy needs and break reliance on foreign oil. …
Florida E10 Hold Up
Despite the support of Florida’s commissioner of agriculture for biofuels production, despite two recent ethanol history-making races held in the Sunshine State, and despite a new campaign that “Florida Needs Ethanol” – a bureaucratic snag is keeping Marathon Oil from blending and distributing 10 percent ethanol-enhanced fuel in Florida. According to an article in the St. Petersburg Times, Marathon and …
Fueling North Carolina’s Future
The North Carolina General Assembly is considering a sweeping statewide strategic plan to strengthen North Carolina’s future in biofuels development and use. According to a release from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center: The 16-page document, “Fueling North Carolina’s Future: North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership,” is the culmination of a seven-month process involving more than 70 leaders from across …
Biofuels and Animal Agriculture
Biofuels and their impact on animal agriculture was the main topic at opening general session of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture annual meeting this week in Sacramento, California. The keynote speaker was Bill Jones, chairman of Pacific Ethanol, whose topic was “Corn, Cattle and Carbon Credits – a California Perspective.” “I appreciate the opportunity to speak at this conference …
Ethanol Continues Record Pace
The Renewable Fuels Association reports that that U.S. ethanol production and demand continue to set records as more Americans are looking to renewable fuels like ethanol to start America down the road of energy sustainability. According to information from the Energy Information Administration and the RFA, production of ethanol in January 2007 averaged 375,000 barrels per day while demand averaged …
AFVI Kicks Off in Anaheim
The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute 13th Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo is underway in Anaheim, California. More than 1250 fleet and industry professionals are there for four days of information and product previews. Fleets were in the spotlight Sunday with workshops on how alternative fuels are being used in private fleets, airport shuttles, school buses, mass transit, …
Happy April Fools’ Day!
Couple of ethanol-related April Fool stories on-line: Rutabagas for biofuels Research by the biofuels industry has turned up a feedstock that does not compete with the food supply: rutabagas. “Nobody likes rutabagas,” says Toby Marston, CEO of biofuels startup Rutaba-Gas LLC. “American farmers grow tons of rutabagas, but nobody really eats them. They’re perfect for making fuel.” Marston says people …