Corn’s role in cellulosic ethanol appears solid. According to a story in Illinois Farm Bureau’s FarmWeek, the push to promote “cellulosic” biomass ethanol development generated some early sparring between corn growers and proponents of new “energy crops.” But experts at a recent Cellulosic Ethanol Summit in Washington, D.C., cited public-private efforts to generate cellulosic fuel from existing corn residues, potentially …
Senator Says Ethanol Use Needs to Grow
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) told a recent ethanol summit in his state that with new ethanol plants coming on line at a rapid pace, the use of ethanol needs to grow or we could soon end up producing a surplus of ethanol. According to a story in the Farm & Ranch Guide by reporter Dale Hildebrant, Dorgan said, “Our future …
Science Foundation Advocates Grass for Gas
Diverse mixtures of native prairie plant species have emerged as a leader in the quest to identify the best source of biomass for producing sustainable, bio-based fuel to replace petroleum. A new study led by David Tilman, an ecologist at the University of Minnesota, shows that mixtures of native perennial grasses and other flowering plants provide more usable energy per …
New Iowa Ag Secretary Says Beef Industry Will Benefit From Ethanol
Iowa’s newly-elected Secretary of Agriculture says the ethanol industry can help the state regain its dominance in beef production. According to a story from the Brownfield Network, Bill Northey told members of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association meeting Thursday that widespread availability of ethanol co-products like dry distillers’ grains could make Iowa the number one beef producing state again like it …
Research Could Lead to Cheaper Ethanol Production
Research being done at Washington University in St. Louis could result in more efficient ethanol production. The research by adjunct professor of biology in Arts & Sciences Erik E. Nielsen, Ph.D. was published in a recent edition of The Journal of Cell Biology, according to a news release. Nielsen’s research is the first to identity some of the membrane trafficking …
More Domestic Fuel Use Forecast
In the latest Long Term Energy Outlook report issued by the Energy Information Administration, higher fossil fuel prices and public policy will generate a further shift toward alternative energy in the coming years. According to an AP story, U.S. ethanol use is expected to grow to 11.2 billion gallons in 2012 from 4 billion gallons in 2005. By 2030, ethanol …
Analyst Thinks Ethanol Forecasts Are Low
An energy industry analyst believes the government is underestimating the ethanol demand outlook. The Energy Information Administration’s annual energy outlook, issued Tuesday, projected that ethanol demand will more than double from today’s level to 11.2 billion gallons in 2012. According to an Associated Press report, Chris Shaw of the global financial firm UBS says that may be too low because, …
Ethanol Plant Breaks Ground in Washington State
Washington state is on track for it’s first ethanol plant. US Ethanol of Vancouver has announced that subsidiary Northwest Renewable broke ground Wednesday on a 55 million gallon per year ethanol production facility in Longview, Wash. When completed, the plant will be the first large-scale facility in the state of Washington to produce ethanol, an alternative fuel typically made from …
Surveys and Studies on Value of Ethanol
Several recent surveys and studies relating to ethanol provide some insight into what consumers think about ethanol, how biotechnology can help fill the demand for both food and fuel, and how domestic sources of energy like ethanol can help revitalize the rural economy. This “Fill Up Feel Good” podcast discusses the results of these studies. The “Fill up, Feel Good” …