ACE Conference 2026

Book Review – The First Billion is the Hardest

Joanna Schroeder

tboonepickensWith the economy in the toilet, I thought I’d get a little inspiration from T. Boone Pickens’ book, “The First Billion is the Hardest.” I don’t know about you, but for me the first million is still eluding me…. Pickens was originally known as an oil guy, but today is best known for his role in promoting wind energy and natural gas in the automotive sector. He is also the single largest owner of water rights in Texas (a commodity he is hoping to make millions on).  One other thing he is known for is his lack of support for biofuels such as ethanol—although he cedes he rather support biofuels than pay trillions of dollars for oil from the Middle East.

The majority of his book travails his business life and it is heartening to learn that he both succeeded and failed in his ventures. Ironically, he was out of oil and in his late 70s when he actually made his first billion. But at the end of the book, he briefly lays out his energy plan.

However, before he does that, he has a message for those of you who think we can domestically drill our way out of our oil problem. Consider Pickens’ three rules of energy:

1)    The cost of finding oil and gas is always higher than you originally think.
2)    Oil and gas always take longer than expected to get on production.
3)    Discoveries are never as large as producers originally think.Read More

book reviews

Live Chat From NEC

Chuck Zimmerman

We’ll be posting comments here from the opening general session at the NEC. You can also watch the opening speech in the post below.

Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

National Ethanol Conference Open Live

Chuck Zimmerman

Tune in live a few minutes after 8am Central time for Bob Dinneen’s opening speech streamed live here from the National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio. We’ll post the speech afterward for you as well. When our broadcast is live just click on the player below to view it.

Post Update: Here’s the recorded video from our live stream this morning of RFA’s opening general session speech by President, Bob Dinneen:

Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

State of Ethanol Industry Live

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2009 State of the Ethanol Industry report will be webcast live on the Renewable Fuels Association Ethanol Report blog – http://www.ethanolrfa.org/ethanolreport/ – and on Domestic Fuel beginning at 8:15 am central time. The address will be made by RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen from the National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio, TX.

Ethanol, RFA

Texas Company About to Offer Rooftop Wind Turbines

John Davis

buildturbinesAn Austin, Texas company says it is about ready to offer wind turbines that can be installed on top of buildings… not just open fields.

This story from KVUE-TV in Austin says Building Turbines hopes to cash in on the need for alternative energy, while making use of urban areas and high-rise buildings:

“The blades are UV-protected, sail-type material that you would walk on like a catamaran,” said John Graham, company owner. “We can actually engineer it to tear in high winds. So if there is a hurricane or tornado you could engineer it to tear at 59 miles per hour if you want.”

Graham has been working with his two sons to perfect the turbine. They can monitor the energy the wind turbine produces from their offices below.

The final prototype was finished in early 2009, and it costs around $23,000. Graham says it should pay for itself in about five years.

The turbines are also built low to the roof surface. “They have yet to kill a bird, and it’s quiet. Our offices are right below it and it doesn’t bother anybody,” he said.

This isn’t the first rooftop wind turbine to hit the market. As you might remember from my post back on August 13, 2008, JCPenney installed BroadStar’s unique wind turbines at its massive 1.6 million-square-foot distribution center in Reno, Nevada. But in my opinion, the more in the wind energy business, the merrier.

You can see a short clip of how Building Turbines wind turbines work here:

Wind

Obama Nominates EPA Deputy

Cindy Zimmerman

cannonPresident Barack Obama on Monday announced his intention to nominate Jon Cannon for Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, a position that will play an important role in implementing the Renewable Fuels Standard.

Cannon is currently a professor of environmental law as well as the director of the Environmental and Land Use Law Program at the University of Virginia. He also served at the Environmental Protection Agency during three previous administrations – Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton – eventually rising to general counsel.

Cannon must still be confirmed by the Senate.

Government

Texas Plant Ramps Up Waterless Biodiesel Process

John Davis

gafgreenline1El Paso, Texas-based biodiesel producer Global Alternative Fuels, LLC will triple its output using a production method provided by Greenline Industries, the world’s largest producer of small-to-medium scale biodiesel production equipment.

This Greenline press release says its waterless method is a natural for the dry conditions of West Texas:

“El Paso is in a desert area, so we chose Greenline’s waterless biodiesel platform for our initial 5 million gallon plant,” said Carlos Guzman, Co-founder, President & COO of Global Alternative Fuels, LLC. “Once we discovered that 5 million gallons would not be enough to meet demand in our area, we asked Greenline to add another 10 million gallons of capacity. Our experience with Greenline has been excellent with top-notch customer support, so expanding with Greenline makes sense.”

Global Alternative Fuels was founded by Guzman and Larry Walter. Both veterans of foreign wars, Guzman and Walter were philosophical about what they wanted to do next to contribute to America’s strength and security. Energy and environmental concerns motivated them to produce American grown, sustainable biodiesel, doing their part towards energy security while creating a profitable business.

Global Alternative Fuels started producing biodiesel on January 3rd of this year and already has a need to increase capacity. “We have a buyer for every drop of fuel we make,” said Guzman. So, Greenline has begun work on increasing plant capacity to 15 million gallons and adding a feedstock blending unit. “The Greenline feedstock blending unit allows us to utilize multiple sustainable feedstocks including locally sourced animal tallow and Iowa soybean oil,” said Guzman.

Global Alternative Fuels officials believe they could expand again in the near future.

Biodiesel

Governors Urge Immediate Biofuels Action

Cindy Zimmerman

The Governors’ Biofuels Coalition is calling on President Obama to tap the job growth potential of the biofuels industry.

Governors Biofuels CoalitionAccording to the 35 member coalition, the nation’s biofuels industry is poised to provide immediate job growth, generate economic activity and prepare the nation for the next increase in world oil prices and they are urging the president to capitalize on the opportunity.

Coalition chairman Governor John Hoeven of North Dakota says biofuels are helping to transform communities, broaden the tax base and provide solid job growth. “Help from the federal government in terms of fiscal support and policy leadership could revitalize this critical industry, create jobs, spur investment and strengthen the ability of biofuels to address the economic, energy and environmental challenges that face our nation,” said Governor Hoeven.

During a Washington press conference today, the coalition urged President Obama to take specific actions to advance the contribution of the biofuels industry to the nation’s workforce, economy and energy security including the establishment an interagency task force on lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and transportation fuels, involving the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are also requesting an immediate ruling from EPA approving 13 percent ethanol blendss, which are already within EPA’s allowable variance.

In addition, the coalition called for a grassroots effort to strengthen and broaden public awareness and support for biofuels development and market availability, acknowledging support and cooperation from a number of organizations including the American Coalition for Ethanol, Growth Energy, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Renewable Fuels Association, National Biodiesel Board,
Clean Fuels Development Coalition, Environmental and Energy Study Institute, National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition and 25x’25.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News, RFA

Willie to Play at Carl’s Corner Biodiesel Truck Stop

John Davis

willienelsonThe Red Headed Stranger is at it again, as country music legend and biodiesel advocate Willie Nelson performs at the Willie’s Place at Carl’s Corner Truck Stop tomorrow and Wednesday (Feb. 24 & 25) for the opening of the Texas biodiesel facility.

earthbiofuelsThis press release posted on MarketWatch.com has details:
The truck stop, which is 50% owned by Earth Biofuels, Inc., launched a “soft opening” last December and has increased sales of blended biodiesel fuel since that time. The state-of-the-art truck stop features 12 diesel/biodiesel fueling lanes for tractor-trailers plus a wide load island. There is a separate fueling island for cars and trucks.

williesplaceIn addition to the truck stop fueling facilities, “Willie’s Place at Carl’s Corner” features two restaurants, a convenience store, a saloon, a gift shop featuring official Willie Nelson merchandise and memorabilia, and the 500 seat “Night Life” theater that will feature regular live music performances. Additionally, this destination for travelers features wireless internet access, clean restrooms, hot showers, laundry facilities, and plenty of parking.

Asleep at the Wheel will join Willie for the show, and if you weren’t one of the lucky ones who snapped up tickets to these sold-out performances or aren’t going to be in the Carl’s Corner, Texas area, you can still get updates on the concert on the satellite radio show, “Willie’s Place,” XM channel 13 and SIRIUS channel 64. The broadcasts originate from the SIRIUS XM studios at the truck stop.

Biodiesel

TDOT to Give Money for E85 and B20 Infrastructure

tdotIn 2006, Tennesse Governor Phil Bredesen allocated $1.5 million to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to develop a Biofuel Green Island Corridor network along Tennessee’s interstate system and major highways. TDOT has recently opened a solicitation for grant funding to assist in converting or installing fuel storage tanks and equipment to dispense B20 and E85 to the public.

The goal of the Green Island program is to help establish readily available “green island” refueling stations for B20 biodiesel and E85 ethanol no more than 100 miles apart along these corridors. This competitive grant program seeks to identify partner retail stations in areas where reasonably accessible and convenient retail biofuel stations are not in place. A minimum of 20 percent in nonfederal matching funds is required.

A statewide network of biofuel stations will encourage and expand the use of biofuels in Tennessee, which in turn will stimulate rural economic development, increase farm income, reduce vehicle emissions, help protect public health, and reduce dependence on petroleum.

Potential E85 and B20 retailers can view the solicitation by clicking here. Sumission is due by April 17, 2009.

Biodiesel, E85, Facilities, Government, News