While we’ve been listening to people talking about when someone will build a commercially viable cellulosic ethanol production plant one company has actually gone ahead and done it. That’s what KL Process Design Group claims. I met with their leadership team at the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit. Pictured are (L-R) Dave Litzen, Tom Slunecka, Randy Kramer and Steve Healey. I sat …
EPIC Executive Director Going Cellulosic
One of the sponsors for the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit and Domestic Fuel coverage of it is the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. EPIC Executive Director, Tom Slunecka was on hand and we sat down for a chat. I’ve been waiting to do this since he announced that he’s heading on to a new opportunity with KL Process Design Group (more …
Bob Dinneen Chairing Cellulosic Ethanol Summit
The Chairman of this year’s Cellulosic Ethanol Summit is the “Reverend of Renewable Fuels” and RFA’s own Bob Dinneen. Bob got us started and has been sort of emceeing the activities here. I sat down with him for a chat to get his perspective on cellulosic production and energy legislation. Bob says that RFA is sponsoring this event because the …
The Birth of Buckeye Renewable Fuels Association
There will soon be a number of ethanol plants in operation in Ohio. To help them and the biodiesel industry as well, a new group has been formed called Buckeye Renewable Fuels Association. BRFA is headed up by long time corn grower leader Mike Wagner. In fact, he says the Ohio Corn Growers are playing a key role in the …
A Sorghum Producer Perspective
One of the people I met with here at the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit is Tim Lust, CEO of the National Sorghum Producers. Tim provided me with a historical perspective on how sorghum has been involved in ethanol production. For example, he says that the first ethanol plant to use sorghum in the production of ethanol was in New Mexico 20 …
Cellulosic Ethanol Summit Day Two
The Cellulosic Ethanol Summit is wrapping up this morning in Washington, DC. I haven’t been able to post much from it due to a complete lack of internet access in the venue (Almas Temple Club). So I’m playing a little catch up. The program has been pretty much back to back panels and speakers on a variety of topics related …
MYCOGEN Ramps Up Ethanol Production
Dow AgroSciences is promoting a product that it says will drive higher production of ethanol. The seed company says it’s MYCOGEN® brand corn hybrids will help corn growers meet the increasing demand for ethanol. The Mycogen Seeds ethanol product lineup features superior yield protection technologies such as HERCULEX® XTRA Insect Protection and the latest in weed control options. “As industry …
Americans Buying Record Numbers of Alternative Fuel Autos
Americans bought nearly half a million alternative fuel automobiles (AFAs) during the second quarter of 2007… a record and good news for the alternative fuel industry and the environment. The Missouri Soybean Association lists the story in its “Bean Briefs” and says the numbers from R.L. Polk & Company are a 27 percent increase from a year ago: Sales of …
Advanced Bioenergy Finances SD Operations
Advanced BioEnergy, LLC has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Heartland Grain Fuels, L.P., has closed on a $118 million financing package for its South Dakota ethanol production facilities. According to the company, the financing will be used to refinance Heartland Grain Fuels’ existing debt, complete construction of a 40 million gallons nameplate per year expansion facility at Heartland’s existing Aberdeen …
UL Announces E85 Pump Certification
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has announced the establishment of safety requirements for E85 fuel dispensing equipment and is now ready to start certification investigations, according to a UL news release. The establishment of safety requirements follows the completion of UL’s comprehensive research program to investigate potential safety concerns associated with dispensing highly concentrated ethanol-blended fuels. The research included extensive gathering of …