An all-day conference on biofuels was held Thursday by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The conference featured six panels and 33 witnesses from industry, agriculture, infrastructure, research and development. Much of the testimony focused on the need for increased funding to develop cellulosic technology. National Commission on Energy Policy Counsel David Conover told the committee they …
Tennessee Wants to Become Biofuels Leader
It seems like just about every state lately is getting into the biofuels race wanting to become a leader. The latest is Tennessee, where Governor Phil Bredensen announced that his “proposed 2007-2008 budget will include $61 million for a comprehensive alternative fuels strategy to position Tennessee to be a national leader in the production of biomass ethanol and related research.” …
Ethanol Continues to Fuel ADM Profits
Shares for Archer Daniels Midland Co. took their biggest leap in over eight years as the world’s biggest corn and oilseed processor announced a second-quarter profit increase of 20 percent. ADM’s net income rose to $441.3 million, or 67 cents a share, in the last three months of 2006, compared to $367.7 million, or 56 cents, a year earlier. Sales …
Farm Bill Proposals Stress Cellulosic Ethanol
A word that few people even knew just five years ago when the last farm bill was written is all over the Bush administration’s 2007 farm bill proposals released Wednesday. That word is “cellulosic.” As announced last week, the proposals include $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy research, development and production, targeted for cellulosic ethanol, which will support …
Ethanol Representatives Witness First Indy Open Test
The IndyCar® Series held its first Open Test of the season Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway where for the first time all IndyCar Series cars ran on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol. Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Executive Director Tom Slunecka said the IndyCar® drivers he talked to in Daytona are proud to be a part of the change to a …
“BioFuels or Bust” Seminar at Wash. U. in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is playing host to a seminar on the role biofuels will play in a sustainable economics world. Jim McLaren, President and founder of StrathKirn, Inc, a science and biotech business consulting firm in nearby Chesterfield, MO, will conduct the seminar on the “state of biofuels development in the Midwest,” at Simon Hall on the Wash …
House Subcommittee Examines Alternative Fuels
The House Committee on Science and Technology Energy and Environment Subcommittee this week looked into the country’s readiness to meet the demands of alternative fuels. The subcommittee heard testimony relating to H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), pictured here on the floor of the House. According …
Seed Companies Promote Ethanol Varieties
As farmers start to make planting decisions for the coming year, many with an eye towards increased corn acreage to meet the demand for ethanol, seed companies are promoting varieties that have traits best suited for ethanol production. Garst Seed Company has announced that 18 of their corn hybrids fall under the company’s ExtraEdgeTM designation, meaning they “exhibit grain characteristics …
All Boys Love Big Toys
Ethanol power was on display at the recent Big Boy Toy Show in Sioux Fall, SD. From planes to big trucks to race cars, it was all there for both big and little boys (and girls!) to enjoy. A special attraction for all was Team Ethanol IndyCar® Series driver Jeff Simmons and the show car simulator. Kids of all shapes …
Global Warming Expedition Kickoff
Legendary explorer Will Steger kicked off his Global Warming 101 Expedition this past weekend at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Team Ethanol IndyCar® Series driver Jeff Simmons was among those on hand to see the expedition off, since the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is a major Global Warming 101 sponsor. He got a chance to make friends with one …