American drivers across the country have more access to biofuels than ever before. This increased availability is changing the composition of the fuels offered to drivers. With this in mind, the Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF) has released its updated resource on gasoline quality for auto mechanics. “Changes in Gasoline Manual IV,” in its fourth update has become the most used resource on gasoline quality and its relationship to vehicle performance.
The leading author of the manual is Robert Reynolds who is the president of Downstream Alternatives. He noted, “With old requirements for oxygenates and other fuel additives gone and new mandates for renewable fuel use in place, it was clear the changing fuel landscape needed to be addressed. This manual addresses all the concerns from vapor pressures to octane ratings to drivability standards for all ethanol-blended fuels, including E85. It also focuses on the use of ethanol-blended fuels in non-automotive applications, a growing area of unnecessary concern for consumers. Simply put, ethanol fuels are safe and effective for use.”
The “Changes in Gasoline Manual” focuses on changes in gasoline composition resulting from the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. It also provides important updates in fuel quality ratings, octane ratings, ethanol fuel for non-automotive uses, and a new feature on E85 and flex-fuel vehicles designed to run on higher ethanol blends.
Click here to download your free copy.
This year, the state’s largest agriculture exposition takes place at 
This complete training package includes two videos, an instructor’s guide, interactive workshops and seven modules and PowerPoint presentations, each focusing on a specific and important aspect of ethanol response. Guidelines are also given for fire departments and first responders that have ethanol production facilities in their communities. 
A new report says Missouri could become a real center for wind power, biomass, biogas and other sources of renewable energy, while creating thousands of jobs and more tax revenues, especially in rural areas of the state.
“We’re going to talk about all forms of energy and we’re going to focus primarily on the business side of alternatives and renewables in the energy sector,” said O’Hanlon. “Most people focus on clean, green and sustainable but overlook the economic side of it – job creation, cost savings, cost competitiveness and the opportunity to invest in various technologies and companies in renewables.” The program will include all aspects of energy, from policy and petroleum concerns to wind, solar, hydro-electric, geothermal, and biofuels.
The new website features a section dedicated exclusively to E85, plus a news center and quick facts, as well as links to follow RFA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.
Lt. Governor John Bohlinger addressed the conference, and posed for pictures with three of the flexible fuel vehicles (shown left) that were on display. Pictured are from right, Shirley Ball, Bohlinger and Alex Conger, who drove the Hummer that has been converted to E85 fuel to the EPAC conference. 
“EPAC was formed to educate, and this was another great opportunity for learning and networking,” said Shirley Ball, President of EPAC. “I appreciated the audience remarks in the evaluations, as they scored the conference very high in regards to content and to how smooth the conference ran. I want to thank all the speakers and venders who helped make the EPAC conference a success.” 
There has been speculation as to when some of the funds dedicated to developing renewable energy will come to fruition. It looks like this is finally happening. Farmers, ranchers and rural business owners have until July 31, 2009 to apply for the 
A power company that serves portions of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming has inked a 20-year deal to sell power from a 51-megawatt wind energy farm that will be built in East Central Colorado.
The Kit Carson Windpower Project, named for the county in which it will be sited, will be comprised of 34 1.5-megawatt General Electric turbines to be erected on a 6,000-acre site northwest of Burlington, Colo. – within the service territory of Tri-State member co-op K.C. Electric Association. “We are glad that Tri-State has chosen this site for its new wind farm,” said John Huppert, general manager of K.C. Electric. “It calls attention to the fact that areas served by the region’s electric cooperatives are ideally suited for the development of renewable resource projects.”