This commentary from the Detroit News suggests that a 15 percent ethanol blend may be the best use of the fuel for the industry at this time. Sam R. Simon, a member of the National Petroleum Council and chairman of Atlas Oil Co., argues that, as opposed to E85, E15 is the best option because that 15-percent ethanol blend can …
A Case for Ethanol Free Trade Market
An Iowa State University economic study says the trade barriers are boosting the price of domestic ethanol and that removing them would “decrease the price for U.S. ethanol, while the world price would increase, as U.S. demand — and ethanol imports — would increase.” According to a press release from ISU’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, the study looks …
Keeping up with The Andersons
The Andersons, Inc. of Ohio has begun preliminary site work for an ethanol plant located in Greenville, Ohio. According to a press release, The Andersons closed the purchase of property located in an industrial park in this Southwestern Ohio community. Additionally, the company has received a draft air permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The 110 million gallon per …
A Grand Event
Well over 600 people were on hand for the grand opening of Missouri Ethanol on Monday in the small town of Laddonia, Missouri – which only has a population of 600! Flying over head to kick-off the event was the 100 percent ethanol-powered Vanguard Squadron, and at the podium to praise the farmer owners of the plant for their dedication …
Plant Manager Interview
The General Manager of Missouri Ethanol is Robin Venn. He’s currently in the process of getting his house sold in Kansas City so he can move to the Laddonia area. I interviewed Robin after the grand opening festivities were winding down. He says that all the employees of the ethanol plant are from Missouri which he thinks is unusual but …
Missouri Ethanol Ribbon Cutting
The grand opening event for Missouri Ethanol is just finishing up with public tours. I don’t think they could have asked for better weather. I heard the attendence pegged at 585 but I think it was more than that. It was a big crowd on hand. The stage was filled with dignitaries who all got up together for the ribbon …
Racing to the Hill
The National Corn Growers Association, the Ohio Corn Growers Association and the Renewable Fuels Association are bringing an ethanol-powered, high-performance race car to Capitol Hill this week to promote ethanol. Mark Thomas, five-time International Hot Rod Association Funny Car champion, and his Ohio Corn Growers-sponsored race car will be on the corner of Delaware Avenue and C Street NE on …
Cautious Cargill
While ADM has jumped headfirst into the ethanol pool, major competitor Cargill is only testing the waters. Here’s an AP story from over the weekend about Cargill’s more cautious approach to the biofuels boom.
Biofinance Conference
Training on how to finance biofuels projects is the goal of Infocast’s Ethanol & Biodiesel Project Finance: The Tutorial, coming up November 1-3 in Chicago. Here’s the pitch from the organizers: Biofuels are red-hot, and getting hotter by the day! But developers and financiers must understand how to best take advantage of the national Renewable Fuels Standard and other incentives, …
Prices Coming Down
I was very pleasantly surprised to see the price of gas in Columbia, MO yesterday.