An American-based company that has land in the Philippines for jatropha plantations has announced it will try to acquire more land after the European Union has upped its targets for biodiesel sales. Corpus Christi, Texas’ GreenGold Ray Energies has announced it will try to add another another 200,000 acres for jatropha cultivation by 2012 because current biodiesel production is not …
Global Oil Subsides Reach $312 Billion
Today, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its 2010 Edition of the World Energy Outlook in which it reported that global fossil-fuel subsidies have amounted to more than US $312 billion in 2009. The number includes subsidies to fossil fuels used in final consumption and to fossil fuel inputs to power generation. However, the report did not include direct producer …
New Controversial Biofuels Report Released
According to a new study released this week, the European Union (EU) plans to increase its use of biofuels over the next 10 years and it will require 69,000 square kilometers of new land causing climate change to become worse. “Driving to Destruction” was commissioned by a coalition of environmental and development NGOs and the study reports that by 2020, …
Petrobras Signs $1.23 Billon Ethanol Supply Deal
Brazil’s largest state-owned energy company made another play today to become a world leader in biofuels. Petrobras announced a $1.23 billion deal with Tereos International’s Brazilian Branch, Acucar Guarani, to supply up to 2.2 billion litres of sugarcane ethanol to Petrobras’ fuel distribution subsidiary, BR, over the next four years. Petrobras said in a statement today, “The contract ensures commitment …
Bioethanol Pilot Plant Opens in Norway
Norwegian biofuels company Weyland has opened a pilot plant for second generation bioethanol in Bergen, Norway. According to a company release, the plant was formally opened today by State Secretary Per Rune Henriksen of the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy during an opening ceremony. The pilot plant has the capacity to produce 200,000 litres (about 53,000 gallons) of bioethanol …
US Investigates Chinese Wind, Solar Support
American officials say they are looking into allegations that China is providing unfair support to the country’s wind and solar products makers, as well as the advanced batttery and energy-efficient vehicle industries. This Wall Street Journal article says U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk promises a vigorous pursuit of these allegations through the World Trade Organization: The United Steelworkers union on …
Cattle and Ethanol Producer Hosts International Farmers
A group of farmers from around the world gathered in Des Moines this week for the fifth annual Global Farmer-to-Farmer Roundtable organized by Truth About Trade and Technology (TATT) and held in conjunction with the World Food Prize. As part of the event, the 16 farmers had the opportunity to visit Couser Cattle Company, owned by Bill Couser, who is …
Wind Power Will Play Key Role by 2030
The wind industry received a boost this week with the release of the “Global Wind Energy Outlook 2010,” in Beijing ahead of the China Wind Power 2010 conference slated to begin today. China is now the world’s largest wind power market and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) anticipates the country’s wind power will increase 10 fold by 2020. The …
RFA President: DDGS and Ethanol Markets Inextricably Linked
The President/CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association addressed the Export Exchange 2010 today and highlighted the importance of U.S. ethanol policy and expansion into foreign markets which is critical for the DDGS industry. You can read his full remarks here as well as listen to them below. In his remarks, Dinneen said, “As a nation, failure to continue the growth …
Challenges and Opportunities For DDGS Trade Growth
Our keynote speaker at the Export Exchange 2010 is Dr. Robert L. Thompson, Professor Emeritus from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he held the Gardner Endowed Chair in Agricultural Policy. He is a Senior Fellow of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and serves on the USDA-USTR Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade and the International Food and …