Amid concerns and criticisms of the near-term viability of cellulosic ethanol, VIASPACE Inc. has announced plans to expand production of its proprietary grass feedstock Giant King Grass. The Company’s goal is to supply nonfood feedstocks for the production of cellulosic ethanol, methanol and “green gasoline.”
The first major Giant King Grass crop was planted in October 2008 in Guangdong Province China and to date, is demonstrating survivability in all weather conditions. The perennial grass is propagated by seedling rather than seeds and each plant can generate between five to 10 new seedlings. Another advantage of this plant is that is can be harvested four times a year. VIASPACE is negotiating to lease more land and anticipates to have 300 acres growing by September.
Several petroleum companies have made recent plays in the biofuels market including BP’s recent announcement that it would build a cellulosic plant in Florida using grass as the primary feedstock. In addition, Shell has significant investments in cellulosic ethanol produced from switchgrass.
Despite uncertainty, fast-tracking cellulosic ethanol to market is gaining political support as research demonstrates its starring role in the recently proposed low-carbon fuel standard economy.
Carl Kukkonen, VIASPACE’s Chief Executive stated in a company release, “We see this renewable energy segment of our business as an opportunity to participate in the expected growth of cellulosic biofuels as an environmentally friendly, non-petroleum source of energy.”
In 2010, an E85 Bentley will begin production in North America. The Continental GT will be introduced at the Geneva motor show as a production model. Its 630-hp turbocharged W12 will make it the fastest and most-powerful Bentley ever. The vehicle will exceed 200 mph. 
EPA recently held a ceremony and awarded Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC) with an ENERGY STAR Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Award. This award was in recognition for their reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions at the POET Biorefining – Laddonia, Mo., ethanol plant. 
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“The first event in 1985 had four tabletop exhibits and 36 people,” according to Mike Bryan, CEO of 
“We must seize control of our energy future and take major steps towards the use of clean, renewable home-grown sources of energy,” said Harkin. “Promoting the planning and development of projects that transport renewable fuels efficiently and inexpensively helps enlarge the market for biofuels like ethanol, reduces our dependence on foreign fuels and will provide good construction jobs.”
“Pipelines are the safest, most reliable, and cost effective way to move biofuels from the areas they are produced to the markets where they are consumed,” said Thune. “These pipelines will reduce energy costs across the country as well as create an estimated 25 jobs for every $1 million of construction. Access to ethanol-dedicated pipelines will benefit both consumers and the ethanol industry for years to come.”
“Many experts believe that a pipeline network to transport biofuels is necessary to achieve the aggressive renewable fuel requirements. But limited transportation options of truck, rail and barge will only get us so far. Pipelines are necessary to get this fuel moving to where the people are. These loan guarantees will spur pipeline development and help create new jobs and lower our dependence on foreign sources of energy,” said Johnson.
A senior agency official with the U.S. EPA says they may need another year to determine how blending ethanol in gasoline over the current 10 percent limit would affect vehicles and nonroad equipment. 
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Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, along with his Cabinet and members of his staff will be visiting a biodiesel plant Thursday as part of the first “Cabinet Community Day” of 2009. The Governor holds four such events each year, visiting eight regions of the state twice over the course of the administration.
The governor will visit 
This summer, General Motors (GM) will begin testing prototypes of their electric flexible fuel Chevrolet Volt. The company is in discussions on its outreach efforts for the 2011 vehicle on how it will be attractive to buyers.