Obama Stresses Support for Corn Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

President Barack Obama sent a letter this week to the Governor’s Biofuels Coalition supporting corn-based ethanol as the foundation for the next generation of biofuels.

“My administration is committed to moving as quickly as possible to commercialize an array of emerging cellulosic technologies so that tomorrow’s biofuels will be produced from sustainable biomass feedstocks and waste materials rather than corn,” Obama said in the letter. “But this transition will be successful only if the first-generation biofuels industry remains viable in the near term.”

Obama was responding to a letter sent to him by the coalition in February asking him to take steps to support biofuels and reduce our dependency on foreign oil. Those steps include establishing a task force to address biofuels’ greenhouse gas emissions and increase the blend percentage of ethanol in gasoline to at least 13 percent. Obama noted in his response that the letter from the governors was “helpful” in the development of his Presidential Biofuels Directive issued earlier this month.

Meanwhile, during his visit to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada yesterday, Obama talked up the promise of clean energy for creating green jobs in America.

“We have to lay a new foundation for prosperity — a foundation constructed on the pillars that will grow our economy and help America compete in the 21st century,” said Obama. “And a renewable energy revolution is one of those pillars. We know the cost of our oil addiction all too well. It’s the cost measured by the billions of dollars we send to nations with unstable or unfriendly regimes. We help to fund both sides of the war on terror because of our addiction to oil. It’s the cost of our vulnerability to the volatility of the oil markets.”

Ethanol, Government

Obama Tours Nellis AFB Solar Array

John Davis

obamasolar2President Obama was talking about the power of the sun today at the nation’s largest solar array.

This story from Wired.com says the president visited Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada to highlight the base’s king-sized solar array as part of the military’s green efforts, which has included biodiesel generators in Baghdad, thousands of electric vehicles and wind farms at bases around the country:

The 140-acre array, made from more than 72,000 solar panels, went online in December, 2007. It’s designed to generate more than 30 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

“That’s the equivalent of powering about 13,200 homes during the day. It’s a project that took about half a year to complete, created 200 jobs, and will save the U.S. Air Force, which is the largest consumer of energy in the federal government, nearly $1 million a year,” Obama said. “It will also reduce harmful carbon pollution by 24,000 tons a year, which is the equivalent of removing 4,000 cars from our roads. Most importantly, this base serves as a shining example of what’s possible when we harness the power of clean, renewable energy to build a new, firmer foundation for economic growth.”

The article goes on to point out that the stimulus bill has given the military $300 million to fund more than 50 energy research projects. Another solar array, this time a 500-megawatt solar array at Ft. Irwin, California that would dwarf the Nellis project, is in the works.

Government, Solar

DOE Rep to Speak at Upcoming Algae Assoc. Workshop

John Davis

naalogo1Our friends at the National Algae Association’s Mid-South Chapter has snagged some impressive speakers for their upcoming workshop, “Algae: The Race for New Oil,” on June 12, in Orlando, Florida. Among those speaking will be Ronald Pate of Sandia National Laboratories, who will talk about the U.S. Department of Energy’s take on the OBP’s Recovery Act Funding Opportunities:

The recent news of $50 million in proposed funding for grants related to algal biofuels has spurred great interest in developing algae biofuels partnerships and initiating the data gathering process for grant applications. Pate will address these topics and offer valuable insight into algae research based on his past work at Sandia Labs.

Other speakers at the intense one-day workshop on algae commercialization on June 12, 2009 at the Doubletree Castle Hotel in Orlando, Florida include Bob Wheeler of Aquatic Eco-Systems, Fluid Imaging Technologies CEO Kent Peterson, Femtobeam CEO Robin Ore, Sustainable Life Center president Tom Butler, and Jim Mulry of Millipore Corp. among others.

Tamra Fakhoorian, president of the NAA Mid-South Chapter says, “We have seen amazing developments in algae commercialization during this past year. NAA conferences and workshops have played an important role in bringing together the history-makers who are turning ‘algae for biofuels’ into a household phrase.”

More information about this workshop is available at www.NationalAlgaeAssociation.com.

algae

Ethanol Wins Jackpot for Indiana Couple

Cindy Zimmerman

Filling up with 85 percent ethanol paid off in a big way for an Indiana couple who hit the Hoosier Lotto jackpot this month.

According to Hoosier Lottery officials, Pamela Smith of Summitville won a $2.5 million jackpot in the May 9 Hoosier Lotto drawing after stopping at a Muncie gas station specifically to buy E85.

“I was looking for Ethanol gas,” said Smith. “I actually went inside the gas station to thank the manager for carrying Ethanol because it’s so hard to find. It was an impulse buy for me to purchase one dollar of Lotto and one dollar of Powerball.”

She and her husband Jay opted for a lump sum payment of nearly $1 million dollars and the retailer received a $25,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

E85

Biodiesel Board Posts Fire Safety Tips

John Davis

nbbfirevideoA spectacular fire over the weekend at the Minnesota Soybean Processors (MnSP) biodiesel plant in Brewster, Minnesota (no, that’s not a picture of the fire on the left… that’s from a NBB training video) has prompted the National Biodiesel Board to offer those in the industry and local fire officials of some tips on how to handle the rare fires at biodiesel production facilities.

This NBB press release says the board and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) have cooperated for more than a year to prepare and distribute safety training materials:

“With a flash point of 200 degrees, biodiesel is the safest fuel to handle, store and use,” said NBB CEO Joe Jobe. “MnSP is certified as a BQ-9000 producer, the industry’s voluntary quality control program, so they were very well prepared to handle any safety issue.”

NBB has posted the new “Biodiesel: Response Considerations” safety resource on its web site and is mailing copies to NBB producer members to work with their local fire departments. The IAFC will distribute 2700 copies to fire departments and at events, like the International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference held this week near Baltimore.

“The Biodiesel Response Considerations training program provides the critical information First Responders and Haz Mat Response Teams need for a safe and competent response,” said Captain Steve Hergenreter of Fort Dodge, Iowa. “It includes information on the chemicals involved in production, along with information on the properties of biodiesel. Whether preplanning a facility or responding to one, understanding these chemical and physical properties ensures a response based on facts, science and circumstances.”

Along with training tools, such as a PowerPoint presentation, the NBB has a video available on its YouTube channel.

Just a point that needs to be made about the fire in Minnesota: while the nearby town of Brewster was evacuated, it was only a matter of precaution, and there were no serious injuries… thanks to good planning and training like this.

Biodiesel, NBB

Farm Foundation Seeks Solutions For Food, Fiber & Fuel

John Davis

30-yearchallengeOur friends at Farm Foundation are always looking for answers to the challenges facing farmers around the world. And part of that search includes bringing in diverse points of view to make sure that real solutions are found. That’s why the Foundation has issued its 30-Year Challenge Competition.

Farm Foundation officials are handing out $20,000 in cash prizes for the best ideas to address the challenges agriculture may face in providing food, feed, fiber and fuel over the next 30 years. But you need to get your ideas in by close of business Monday, June 1:

The competition is open to anyone with an interest in the public policy issues outlined in the Foundation’s report, The 30-Year Challenge: Agriculture’s Strategic Role in Feeding and Fueling a Growing World. That report discusses challenges in six areas: global financial markets and recession; global food security; global energy security; climate change; competition for natural resources; and global economic development.

“We encourage all segments of the food system–from producers to consumers–to contribute entries with their ideas and proposals,” says Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin. “Agriculture and the food system today face diverse and complex issues. Farm Foundation believes that without a civil and broad-reaching discussion respectful of all stakeholders opinions, we will be unable to develop the policies that agriculture and the food system need to deal with the challenges before us.”

Entries can be submitted that address issues in one of the six challenge areas, or multiple areas. For each of the six challenge areas, judging will be done by an independent three-member panel selected by Farm Foundation. Prize winners will be announced in September 2009.

More details about the 30-Year Challenge is available on the Farm Foundation Web site.

The 30-Year Challenge project is directed and led by Farm Foundation. Contributing financial assistance to the project are: the Alliance for Abundant Food and Energy, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Pork Producers Council, and the United Egg Producers.

Farm Foundation

Ethanol Teams with Veterans on Memorial Day

cfdc_memorialdayThe Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC), the Ethanol Across America education campaign, and the Flexible Fuel Vehicle Club teamed with Veterans of Underage Military Service (VUMS) with a procession of ethanol and hybrid vehicles in the national Memorial Day parade to highlight the role of energy and national security.

Capping a weekend of national remembrance for America’s fallen soldiers, the parade through the streets of the nation’s capitol featured hundreds of veterans with a crowd of more than 250,000 in attendance. The VUMS group represents the highest degree of dedication as it is comprised of veterans who enlisted despite being underage. Marine Lt. Col. (ret) William C. Holmberg, a VUM and a nationally recognized environmentalist and proponent of renewable energy like ethanol, conceived the idea several years ago to team the VUMS with groups promoting domestic alternatives to imported petroleum.

“Our slogan is There is no National Security without Energy Security,” said Holmberg. “Groups like CFDC, Ethanol Across America, and the Flexible Fuel Vehicle Club work every day to increase that awareness. Marching together in the shadow of the Washington Monument, the Capitol, and the memorials helps people get the connection that much the unrest around the globe has links to oil,” he said.

The procession included the CFDC/Ethanol Across America FlexFuel Chevy Avalanche, the Flexible Fuel Vehicle Club’s Chrysler Van, and several hybrid vehicles.

“Under any circumstances it would be an honor for us to be part of the salute to all those who have served. Our generation sees the loss of jobs, wealth, and military cost of importing more than 60% of our oil, and we have an opportunity to do something about it,” said Durante. “If reducing our dependence on oil keeps us out of one less conflict, and keeps young Americans from having to be memorialized, then we should all be working toward that goal.”

According to Flexible Fuel Club President Burl Haigwood, the parade provided an opportunity to increase public awareness that we can do something about it, right now. “With more than 7 million flex fuel vehicles on the road today, if we ran those vehicles on clean, domestic fuels like ethanol we could reduce our reliance on unstable regimes and reduce the military costs of protecting our oil interests,” said Haigwood.

Col. Holmberg’s concluded the days events stating, “Alternative fuel, high-mileage vehicles and ethanol are our front lines in securing a more secure energy future for America, and, by the way, major artillery in our climate change battles.”

Energy, Environment, Ethanol

EPA Opens Comment Period on RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

epaThe Environmental Protection Agency has officially opened a 60-day comment period for proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard. The comment period will be open until July 27.

In addition to seeking comments on the proposed rulemaking announced earlier this month, EPA is also conducting peer reviews of critical aspects of the lifecycle methodology used to determine the greenhouse gas emissions of various fuels.

EPA has also announced a public hearing to be held for the proposed rule which will be held in Washington, DC on June 9.

Environment, Ethanol, Government

Solazyme Testing BlueFire Ethanol Cellulosic Sugars

Joanna Schroeder

bluefirelogoSolazyme, Inc., a company that develops technologies for renewable oil production, is in the process of testing sugars that are produced through a patented process designed by BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc. The goal of the technology is to test the compatibility with Solazyme’s renewable oil process to produce the oil cost effectively and at commercial scale production. The sugars used in the process are produced through non-food cellulosic waste.

Arnold Klann, CEO of BlueFire Ethanol Fuels forecasts great results. “Our technologies are a great fit for each other,” he said. “Our patented acid hydrolysis process allows BlueFire Ethanol to utilize a variety of non-food feedstocks to produce sugars that can be used to make a variety of different types of fuels and chemicals. Supplying these low cost sugars to Solazyme’s technology provides them with the option of creating a variety of oils for the renewable energy industry and beyond.”

BlueFire Ethanol is currently focused on developing its first ethanol biorefinery in Lancaster, California. The Lancaster facility will use post-sorted cellulosic wastes diverted from landfills in Southern California to produce 3.9 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol per year. The company was also awarded $40 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for construction of a second plant in Southern California, and has received the first installment of funding from the DOE for the development of the BlueFire Mecca, LLC plant in Southern California.

In addition to the production of renewable oil, Solazyme is also a leading algal synthetic biology company.  The renewable oil produced from algae will not only be used as a replacement for fossil fuels, but also in cosmetics and cleaning supplies that have traditionaly used petroleum as an ingredient.

biofuels, biomass, Cellulosic, Company Announcement

PetroAlgae Opens DC Office

John Davis

petroalgae2President Obama has put the emphasis on renewable energy, and the buzz in the nation’s capitol… and the country… has been about turning algae into biodiesel.

To that end, PetroAlgae is opening a Washington, DC office and has sent three of its best folks there to work closer with the Obama Administration, Congress, non-profit groups, and the business community:

The three new appointments are Andrew Beck, who has joined the company as vice president of public affairs; Michael Gale and George Lyons, who have both joined the company as vice presidents of government relations.

“One of the most effective responses to the challenges of restoring our nation’s economy and responding to our climate and energy crisis is a green recovery,” said Dr. John Scott, Chairman of PetroAlgae. “These three talented individuals will lead PetroAlgae’s discussions with the Obama Administration, Members of Congress and others in the Washington to help educate the country on the ability of clean-energy to help create new jobs and contribute to the nation’s economic recovery.”

Beck, a veteran of the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA, will manage PetroAlgae’s strategic communications, public outreach and media relations operations. Gale was the president of Government Relations and International Trade Strategies and will now manage PetroAlgae’s interactions with government officials with a focus on energy, environmental, tax and international issues. Lyons, who will now manage PetroAlgae’s interactions with government officials with a focus on energy, tax, appropriations, and state issues, was a principal at the Gimga Group.

algae, Biodiesel