Cellulosic Ethanol Company Raises Capital

Cindy Zimmerman

A company claiming to have the capability to produce “third generation” ethanol has raised $34 million to prove it. Colorado-based ZeaChem is developing a cellulose-based green fuels and chemicals biorefinery platform that converts renewable non-food biomass into market-competitive products such as ethanol. The new funds will be used to build ZeaChem’s first cellulosic biorefinery set to begin construction this year. …

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Biodiesel, Ethanol Part of Northeast Low Carbon Fuel Standard

John Davis

Eleven states in the Northeastern United States have agreed to a Low Carbon Fuel Standard, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and other energy uses. Biofuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol, are part of that plan. This press release from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection says the key is all the states working together: In June, Governor …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Solar Leads Record Year of Green Investment

John Davis

While it might have been a tough year for most investments on Wall Street, venture capital funding into alternative energies really took off in 2008, setting records. This story posted on CNET News quotes a Cleantech Group report that says those investments jumped to $8.4 billion, a 38 percent increase from the previous year: Solar investments helped drive the growth, …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News, Solar

Biodiesel Board CEO Fights Kraft’s Fear-Mongering

John Davis

The National Biodiesel Board is refusing to let food companies spread fear and misinformation in the continuing food-versus-fuel debate. NBB CEO Joe Jobe, responding to Kraft Foods’ CEO Irene Rosenfeld’s blame of biofuels for the rise in food prices, has submitted his own opinion piece to USA Today asking how Kraft can continue to make soaring profits at the cost …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, food and fuel, News

Colorado Hands Out $620K in Ethanol, Biodiesel, Wind & Biomass Grants

John Davis

The State of Colorado has handed out $620,000 in grants for research and development into a variety of renewable energy sources, including ethanol, biodiesel, biomass and wind energy. This press release from the state Department of Agriculture says the 14 grants have been hand out through the “Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy” (ACRE) program: “ACRE is a statewide effort to promote …

Biodiesel, biomass, Ethanol, Government, News, Wind

North Dakota Group Wants Biodiesel, Ethanol & Wind Mandate

John Davis

A group advocating for the development and use of renewable energy, including biomass, biodiesel, ethanol, carbon and wind, wants a renewable fuels standard in North Dakota. This story from Biodiesel Magazine says the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy (NDARE) has issued a proposal for how the state can be more renewable energy friendly: Regarding biofuels, NDARE recommended that the …

Biodiesel, biomass, Ethanol, News, Wind