Administration Proposes Cellulosic Research Funding

Cindy Zimmerman

The Bush administration wasted no time this week in translating the president’s State of the Union energy words into actions. “We will be proposing $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy, with a focus on cellulosic energy research and production as part of the administration’s 2007 Farm Bill proposals,” Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced Tuesday. “We’ve had great …

Cellulosic, Ethanol, Government, News

Ethanol Production Effects on Poultry

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the first people I ran into here at the International Poultry Expo was Dr. Paul Aho who is a poultry economist. His company is called Poultry Perspective. Dr. Aho is being interviewed here by farm podcaster, Ned Arthur, PoultryCast. Dr. Aho says that the increase in the cost of corn has had a significant impact on the meat …

Audio, Ethanol

European Ethanol, Biodiesel Stocks Get Boost from Bush

John Davis

It’s not just American alternative fuels seeing a boost from President Bush’s State of the Union speech last night when he pledged to reduce U.S. gasoline consumption by 20 percent in the next 10 years. Check out this story from Dow Jones posted on CattleNetwork.com: Michael McNamara, London-based senior equities analyst for Jefferies International, said European stocks are indirectly benefiting …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, International, News

More Industry Reaction

Cindy Zimmerman

The ethanol industry could hardly be more pleased with the president’s call for increased use of the fuel in his State of the Union address. In a news release, the American Coalition for Ethanol praised the president “for setting visionary goals for ethanol in his State of the Union address and the bipartisan leaders in Congress who are working to …

Ethanol, News

Indy Sets Pace For Domestic Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

With its switch to 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol for the 2007 season, the Indy Car Series is already leading in the country’s race to reducing dependence on foreign oil, as called for by President Bush in his State of the Union address. “The IndyCar Series shares the President’s commitment to energy security,” said Brian Barnhart, president and chief operating officer …

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

Domestic Fuel Industry Reaction

Cindy Zimmerman

Some biofuel organizations were reacting to the president’s State of the Union address even before it was given. A statement from Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen was emailed to the media over two hours before the speech. “Recognizing the potential of our nation’s ethanol industry, President Bush used the unique forum of the State of the Union Address to …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News

President Calls For Increasing Alternative Fuel Supply

Cindy Zimmerman

As anticipated, President George W. Bush devoted a significant portion of his 2007 State of the Union address Tuesday evening to energy. “For too long our nation has been dependent on foreign oil,” said President Bush. “It’s in our vital interest to diversify America’s energy supply. The way forward is through technology.” The audience applauded seven times during the four …

Audio, Biodiesel, Energy, Ethanol, Government, News

Corn Growers, Farm Aid Team Up for Renewable Energy Workshops

John Davis

The American Corn Growers Association has received some grants from Farm Aid to put on a series of workshops across the country on producing and using ethanol, biodiesel, and wind energy. The Farm Aid money has been given to the Corn Growers to put on the workshops in more than half a dozen states on a variety of subjects: * …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News, Wind

Analyst Says Grain and Livestock Markets Affected by Biofuels Boom

John Davis

Bill Holbrook, owner of Holbrook Consulting, says grain markets are responding to the rapid growth in the ethanol and biodiesel markets. But what will it mean to longer-term grain and livestock prices? In my interview with him, Holbrook says right now, livestock producers are expecting tighter margins, but long-term feed prices are more likely to be affected by weather and …

Biodiesel, Ethanol

High Crude Oil Prices Boost Alternative Fuels’ Price Competitiveness

John Davis

The Energy Management Institute has released a report that shows alternative fuels are much more cost effective… by nearly 30 percent… than they were just three years ago. The New York-based institute touts itself as higher learning for energy professionals such as oil companies, utilities, and transportation fleets. It found that biodiesel was 29.2% more cost effective than a few …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News, Propane