Ethanol was a major topic of discussion for members of the National Farmers Union meeting this week in Washington DC. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke to the NFU members by phone and pledged his support for new investments in renewable fuels and other policies that would benefit rural America. Obama also reiterated his support of the Renewable Fuels Standard. …
Ag Secretary on Ethanol Incentives
Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer says that ethanol is an important part of the nation’s plan for energy security, but he expects that ethanol incentives such as the blenders tax credit will eventually be phased out. During an appearance this week in Kansas City, Schafer said ethanol producers need to prepare for an eventual end to these kinds of incentives. …
New Ethanol Plant Openings
The world’s largest ethanol producer is opening two new 65 million gallon per year ethanol production plants this month. POET will host a grand opening event for POET Biorefining – North Manchester, Indiana on Thursday, September 11. The $105 million ethanol production facility will be the 24th POET production facility. On September 30, POET will host a grand opening event …
Nebraska to Celebrate Ethanol
To celebrate ethanol and all renewable fuels, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman will declare September Renewable Fuels Month at Husker Harvest Days on Wednesday, September 10. Todd Sneller, administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, says the economic impact of ethanol on rural communities in Nebraska and many other areas of the nation has been significant. “Ethanol has brought thousands of jobs …
VeraSun Opens 14th Ethanol Plant
VeraSun Energy has announced the start up of its 110 million gallon per year ethanol biorefinery located near Dyersville, Iowa. The Dyersville production facility marks the 14th VeraSun biorefinery in operation and the fifth in Iowa, increasing the company’s annual production capacity to more than 1.4 billion gallons. “We are pleased to bring another large-scale, environmentally friendly ethanol production facility …
Ethanol Tailgate Party
Edgar the E-Man will be partying with Albert and Sebastian this weekend in Gainesville, Florida when the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council kicks off its sponsorship with the Fox Tailgate Tour at the Florida vs. Miami football game. Visitors at the tailgate tour will have the chance to compete in the Ultimate Ethanol Challenge, where competitors face off to test …
Process Could Improve Ethanol Efficiency
A process used in breweries and wastewater treatment facilities could make corn ethanol more energy efficient. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are exploring the use of oxygen-less vats of microorganisms that naturally feed on organic waste produced from the ethanol fermentation process. According to a university release, a WUSTL team has tested anaerobic digestion on waste from ethanol …
Twin Cities to Host Biodiesel, Ethanol Workshop & Trade Show
While the focus in Minneapolis-St. Paul this week has been the Republican National Convention, another important meeting is set for the Twin Cities later this month. Facing a Renewable Fuels Standard that will go from using 600 million gallons of renewable fuels next year, growing to 21 billion gallons by 2022, the Advanced Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show will work …