A University of Florida microbiology professor was among a small group of alternative energy experts who met with President Bush Friday at the White House. Dr. Lonnie Ingram, director of the Florida Center for Renewable Chemicals and Fuels, has been studying ethanol for more than 20 years and has developed a biotechnology “bug” that converts biomass and other farm wastes …
USDA Helping With Rural Development
USDA’s Rural Development department has been involved in assisting rural communities in a number of project areas over the years. One of them is the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency. At the recent Cattle Industry Convention, I met with and interviewed Allan Johnson, USDA Rural Development, Senior Advisor. The conversation turned to renewable energy right away since ethanol …
Great Smoky Mountains Going Green
National Park Service diesel vehicles on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be filling up with 50% biodiesel. This story in the Haywood County (NC) News says the biodiesel will go into about two dozen vehicles that burn 12,000 gallons a year: “This biodiesel refueling project will help us achieve our long-term goal of …
Ethanol Drives Ten Year Ag Forecast
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest projections, ethanol will dominate the farm economy for the next decade. USDA’s Interagency Agricultural Projections Committee, headed by the World Agricultural Outlook Board, this week released “USDA Agricultural Projections to 2016.” According to the report, “strong expansion of corn-based ethanol production in the projections affects virtually every aspect of the field crops …
More E85 Pumps for Colorado
Colorado motorists will soon have 40 more pumps to fill up with 85 percent ethanol. According to a press release from Colorado Governor Bill Ritter’s office, 40 new E85 fuel pumps will open at 22 gas stations around this state this year, thanks to an effort by General Motors to expand the availability of the ethanol blend. In addition to …
Loan Guarentee Process Holds Up First Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
Back in June, Canadian biotechnology company Iogen was waiting on loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy to build a $500 million cellulosic ethanol plant in Idaho. The company is still waiting, according to a report from McLatchey Newspapers. According to the article, the loan guarentee is being held up because the U.S. Department of Energy office in charge …
Vilsack Gives Energy Speech
Democratic presidential candidate Tom Vilsack, former governor of Iowa, unveiled his plan for energy security during a speech in San Francisco Tuesday. According to an Associated Press report, Vilsack set out a seven-part plan for achieving his goal to “dramatically reduce energy imports and dramatically reduce carbon emissions.” That plan would include a reduction in greenhouse gases produced by the …
President’s Radio Address Focuses on Energy
In his weekly radio address to the nation Saturday, President Bush expressed optimism that energy policy is one area where both Republicans and Democrats can work together and make some progress. “Republicans and Democrats both recognize these problems. We agree on the solution: We need to diversify our energy supply and make America less dependent on foreign oil,” said the …
Soybean Growers Call for Higher Subsidies to Help Biodiesel
The American Soybean Association is asking Congress to raise soybean subsidies and provide an incentive payment to encourage development of biodiesel. From the ASA web site: Marketing loan rates should be set at a minimum of 95 percent, and target prices at a minimum of 130 percent, of this price average. For soybeans, these percentages would establish a $5.01/bushel loan …
Arkansas Legislature Moves Forward on $20 Mil Alt Fuels Bill
The Arkansas State Legislature’s House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development has unanimously approved a bill that would provide $20 million in tax dollars for the development of alternative fuels. The bill is sponsored by House Speaker Benny Petrus (D-Stuttgart). This from the Associated Press story in the Houston (TX) Chronicle: “This is the only platform I’ve had as …