No matter which coast you call home, BBI has a Biofuels Workshop for you this fall. The Western Region workshop will be held October 9-11 in Portland, Oregon. The conference includes an opening keynote address from Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and a conclusion on “Policies and Technologies for a Sustainable Biofuels Industry” by Alex Farrell, Assistant Professor, Energy and Resources …

Sleeping Biofuels Giant
The National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance recently conducted its first Renewable Fuels Summit, “Bioenergy Systems: Alfalfa the Sleeping Giant,” in Washington D.C. The August 8 event, which had more than 80 registered attendees, included presentations on cellulosic ethanol, alfalfa as a green biomass alternative, the role of corn-alfalfa rotation in bioenergy systems, and more. Speakers also focused on United States …
Ethanol Demand Hits Record in June
According to the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol demand moved higher in June, to a new all-time record of 443,000 barrels per day (b/d). For the first six months of the year, ethanol demand is averaging 420,000 b/d. Ethanol production also edged higher in June, though continuing to trail the ethanol demand. U.S. ethanol producers added 418,000 b/d of ethanol supply …
Senator Tours POET Plant
The Associated Press has a feature on South Dakota ethanol producer POET this week, focusing on the company’s ethanol research that “should allow it to squeeze 27 percent more fuel from each acre of the crop.” Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who toured the company’s headquarters and research lab last week, said there is only so much ethanol that can be …
Biofuels Forum in Vegas
The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute’s “Biofuels Drive Economic Solutions Forum” in Las Vegas this month will feature an automotive journalist and an energy expert as keynote speakers. According to an AFVi news release, Michael Caudill, automotive journalist for KTLA in Los Angeles, and expert on the vehicle marketplace kicks off the morning with his insightful automotive forecast. Nationally recognized energy …
Virginia Ethanol Plant Fights Opposition
The developers of a proposed 216 million-gallon-per-year ethanol plant in Chesapeake have mounted a major campaign to educate the community about ethanol. The Virginian-Pilot reports that developer International Bio Energy Virginia LLC has hired a public relations professional and is taking out full-page ads in local newspapers to try and address community concerns about the plant. “I understand it’s an …
Ethanol with SC Accent
SC Now has an article on ethanol research being done at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. Dr. Gregory Pryor, assistant professor of biology at Francis Marion University, and one of his students, Kirsten “Kitty” Hiortdhal, have begun researching new ways to create ethanol with crops grown locally in the Pee Dee. According to Wikipedia, the Pee Dee region of …
Ethanol “God Father”
The exective director of the International Institute for Ecological Agriculture has proclaimed himself the “God-Father” of ethanol as a biofuels expert. According to a news release, “David Blume has been asked to appear on radio, TV and as a lead speaker for a number of renewable energy symposiums in the coming two months. Blume is globally acknowledged as the “god-father” …
2008 FFVs Announced
The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) reports that 31 new models of motor vehicles will be offered with an E85 capable engine in 2008. Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and Mercedes Benz will all offer flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) in the coming year. NEVC Executive Director Phil Lampert says these include some of the most popular vehicle models. “From a …
Race Drivers Run Ethanol Marathon
Detroit motorists had the opportunity this week to get bargain-priced 10 percent ethanol fuel pumped by some top racers at a Marathon Station in Taylor, Mich. The pump promotion, sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council, was in honor of the American Le Mans Series Detroit Sports Car Challenge on September 1 and the IndyCar Series Detroit Belle Isle …