California Dreaming

Cindy Zimmerman

Xethanol Corporation is setting its sites westward. According to a company release, they have hired a west coast venture capitalist to explore strategic growth opportunities for Xethanol in the large and expanding California ethanol market. Christopher d’Arnaud-Taylor, Xethanol’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, says they are currently focused on the company’s east coast regional roll out (see previous post), but …

Cellulosic, Ethanol

Nebraska News

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol plants are popping up like prarie dogs in Nebraska. Coming up April 24th, Mid America Agri Products/Horizon will host a ground breaking ceremony for a plant in Cambridge. According to this Grainnet report, the first phase of the two-phase project will cost $70 million and produce 44 million gallons a year. It’s the second Nebraska project for Mid America …

Ethanol, Facilities

International Media Get “Earful” From IL Corn Growers

Cindy Zimmerman

Illinois farmer, banker, ethanol plant CEO and RFA board member Ray Defenbaugh was one of several people who spoke to a group of visiting agricultural journalists during a media reception sponsored by the US Grains Council and Illinois Corn Growers at the BIO 2006 conference in Chicago that concludes Thursday. Chuck interviewed Ray after his presentation and you can hear …

BIO, Ethanol

Ethanol’s Role in Gas Prices

Cindy Zimmerman

The media has been sounding the alarm about higher gas prices today, following the release of the Energy Information Administration’s latest forecast. What’s interesting is that the report shifts the blame for the rising prices from ethanol to the oil industry, which the Renewable Fuels Association was quick to point out in a press release. EIA Administrator Guy Caruso said …

Ethanol

New Fill Up, Feel Good Podcast

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest “Fill Up, Feel Good” podcast from the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is about Jeff Simmons, new driver for the #17 Team Ethanol Honda/Panoz/Firestone Indy Car (see previous post). The podcast features comments from both Jeff and EPIC executive director Tom Slunecka discussing the future for Team Ethanol and how Paul Dana’s legacy will live on in the …

EPIC, Ethanol, Fill Up Feel Good, Indy Racing

IL Gov Blagojevich Mentions Renewable Fuels

Chuck Zimmerman

IL Gov Rod BlagojevichIt wasn’t real easy but I was able to ask llinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, a quick question after he cut the ribbon prior to the trade show here at BIO 2006. I asked him about agriculture since I only had one question and in his answer he mentions renewable energy and corn and soybeans.

Audio, BIO, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government

Finding E85 With OnStar

Cindy Zimmerman

Auto news site InsideLine posted an exclusive story last weekend that OnStar will soon be able to help drivers find E85 stations. OnStar President Chet Huber said his company will unveil a new service in June to let customers know if their vehicle is E85 compatible and help them find ethanol filling stations. Customers will receive an e-mail telling them …

Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

Ethanol Imports

Cindy Zimmerman

Analysts are saying that the US will be importing more ethanol this summer to keep up with demand caused by the phase-out of MTBE. According to a Dow Jones story, U.S. cane-based ethanol imports are expected to more than double in 2006 from 511 million liters in 2005. “Moving U.S. ethanol, produced in the heartlands, to population centers on the …

Ethanol

Plant Plans

Cindy Zimmerman

Indiana – The Andersons Inc. is considering a third ethanol plant in Dunkirk, Ind. (Toldedo Blade) (see previous post) Florida – United States EviroFuels LLC received a state permit to construct an ethanol production plant at Port Sutton. (Tampa Bay Business Journal) (see previous post) Michigan – A company formed by former state Rep. Rick Johnson wants to build a …

Ethanol