Georgia’s first ethanol plant broke ground this week in Mitchell County. First United Ethanol, LLC – or FUEL, as it is better known – has been in the works for almost two years, according to chairman Murray Campbell, who says they will import corn from the midwest to produce ethanol initially. “Even though our facility in the corn belt, we …
Ethanol Growth Forecast Disputed
Lester Brown, founder of the Earth Policy Institute, held a press conference with reporters Thursday to warn that the government is underestimating the amount of corn that will be needed for fuel by next year. According to the Associated Press, Brown says nearly twice as much corn as the government has estimated will be needed from the 2008 harvest to …
Biofuels Legislation Introduced
First day of the new Congress and already biofuels legislation has been introduced. According to the American Coalition for Ethanol, U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) have introduced the Biofuels Security Act of 2007. Including many of the legislative priorities called for by the American Coalition for Ethanol, the bill places homegrown biofuels at the center of …
Ethanol Creates Business Buzz in 2006
Farm Futures reports that venture capital firms more than doubled their investments in biofuels and other energy ventures in 2006, and even more is expected in 2007. According to DowJones Venture One, firms put $224 million towards energy ventures in 2005 – and $536 million in 2006’s first three quarters alone. Another estimate, by venture-capital firm Nth Power, puts the …
Biofuels Info From John Deere
John Deere is now featuring biofuels information for agricultural producers on its web site. The information includes a detailed biofuels reference report and 6.5-minute video that overviews John Deere’s position on the use of biodiesel. “John Deere has been an early advocate for biodiesel and continues to actively support its use,” says Don Borgman, director of agricultural industry relations for …
October Ethanol Production Ties Record
Total U.S. ethanol production for 2006 is expected to be almost 5 billion gallons, but it will be a while yet before the official numbers are calculated. The latest figures from the Energy Information Administration are for October at 333,000 barrels per day (b/d), which is equal to September’s record production. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, the U.S. ethanol …
Discover Wisconsin on Ethanol
The first Choice Destination for 2007 on “Discover Wisconsin” isn’t so much a destination as a way of getting there. The latest episode of the state’s tourism television show focuses on Wisconsin’s role in the domestic fuels industry, specifically E85. According to the show’s website: With car manufacturers like GM offering a variety of E85-friendly vehicles, the new fuel is …
Michigan Marching Orders
As part of a series on “Making it in Michgan” the Associated Press did a report on the state’s campaign to become the nation’s leader in alternative fuels. LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Gov. Jennifer Granholm laid it on the line for the members of the Michigan Renewable Fuels Commission. “We want to be the state that shows the nation how …
Ethanol Factor in Planting Decisions
High corn prices driven by increased demand for ethanol are causing farmers of various commodities to seriously consider switching crops for 2007. Farm Futures reports that Nebraska farmers are considering planting corn in place of wheat they’ve already sowed. With wheat futures high, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension cropping systems specialist Bob Klein says Nebraska producers planted probably 15% more wheat …
The Good, the Bad, and the Indy
Politicians, celebrities, race car drivers and investors all helped to make 2006 a year to remember for biofuels. Here’s just a few of the top stories on DomesticFuel this year.