Nebraska Officials Answer Ethanol Questions

John Davis

Some folks in Nebraska are getting a little nervous over the rapid rise of the ethanol industry in the state. That’s why state officials and industry experts set up shop in Norfolk, NE on Thursday (Sep. 13th) to answer some of those concerns.

Nebraska’s 17 ethanol plants (and another nine on the way) makes the state third in the nation for ethanol production. This story on the KTIV-TV (Sioux City, IA) web site says the officials wanted to focus on training and education, compliance and environmental quality issues:

Nebraska Ethanol BoardOfficials say with the rapid rate of ethanol production there are a number of emerging issues that will continue to be important. There’s water and air quality, OSHA regulations, spill response and more. Members of the Nebraska Ethanol board say their biggest obstacle is training and recruitment. They say since 1985, around 1-thousand people have found employment at plants in the state and within the next 18 months that number will need to be duplicated.

Todd SnellerTodd Sneller, Adm. Nebraska Ethanol Board “So it’s a significant opportunity in terms of quality jobs spread across the State in some of our smallest communities. But, it’s a significant challenge trying to find people who want to enjoy life in a small community and bring the skills necessary to run the plants located in a small community.”

State officials also want to make sure everyone’s singing from the same sheet of music to keep the ethanol industry going for Nebraska.

Ethanol, News

Biofuels Council offers Biofuel Bio

John Davis

The biofuels industry is rapidly picking up steam and the fast track growth is spurring a demand for professionals who are educated in biodiesel, ethanol and other alternative fuels. The American Biofuels Council wants to meet that demand wtih a new biofuels educator program.

The American Biofuels Council (ABC), a national grassroots communications network for the advancement of biofuels adoption, has announced that it has launched the Certified Biofuels Educator (CBE) program to train and certify government, corporate, and school staff as well as community volunteers in providing accurate and comprehensive biofuels information.

Sean O’Hanlon, Founder and Executive Director of the ABC, said, “There is enormous demand for this type of program. Government departments, corporations, schools and community groups want to talk to someone who combines local community knowledge with up-to-the-minute awareness of biofuels. Too many people who talk to them have little knowledge, or an axe to grind. This program will solve that problem.”

The CBE course consists of a home-study reading program followed by a weekend of live instruction covering eight modules. CBE candidates will receive training on each type of biofuel including advantages and disadvantages of each, regional considerations, availability of fuels, transition plan development, and community group communications skills. They will also receive comprehensive training on biofuel feedstocks. The course is capped by a proctored examination, and successful candidates will receive the CBE designation. CBE holders will be required to take continuing education courses to retain their Certificate.
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Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol, Government, News, Production

IRL, EPIC Reflect on Ethanol Performance in IndyCar Series

John Davis

It was a breakthrough year for ethanol, with the fuel fully powering the IndyCar Series for the first time. The Indy Racing League and the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council agree that the switch to 100% ethanol was a success.

The 2007 season of the IndyCar(R) Series featured a dazzling display of intense and unpredictable competition, with a margin of victory of less than a second in seven races.

EPICWhile the Series attracted unprecedented media attention with its switch to 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol, the renewable fuel performed flawlessly with little fanfare in one of the most demanding environments in racing. The IndyCar Series became the first in motorsports to embrace a renewable and environmentally responsible fuel source, setting the standard for the “Greening of Racing”.

“Our partnership with ethanol industry has been a tremendous success both on and off the track,” said Terry Angstadt, President, IRL Commercial Division, Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series. “We have been proud to share the track with a home-grown renewable fuel source that has such broad implications beyond racing. We will continue to be relevant and we will embrace the opportunity to lead the industry in our approach to balancing business with social responsibility.”

The reliability of ethanol in the IndyCar Series has been without question, and the League is now investigating alternative fuel options for the Indy Pro Series. The fuel efficiency has been impressive; the IndyCar Series has consumed more than 20,000 gallons (or 30% less) less fuel than last season.

“This is far from marketing hype. This is true performance at the highest levels of competition,” said Tom Slunecka, the executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). “This has been a critical testing ground for a renewable fuel source, and ethanol has passed the test with flying colors.”

EPIC has been the driving force behind the switch to a cleaner, greener renewable fuel in the IndyCar Series. The partnership has paid tremendous dividends in consumer awareness of ethanol.

“The message to consumers is a powerful one. Performance and environment can co-exist”, adds Slunecka.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Promotion, Racing

Off-shore Power in Texas Takes a Different Twist

John Davis

Texas is used to having companies bidding for off-shore energy rights in the Gulf of Mexico, but this time it’s the wind, not oil, fueling the process.

This story in the Dallas Morning News says its a new process for almost everyone involved:

This is the first time in the U.S. that leases for offshore wind production are being put in a competitive bid process – the process that doles out virtually all of the oil and natural gas tracts. The bids must be received no later than Oct. 2.

Producing wind energy offshore is largely untested right now. There is one company that holds a wind energy lease in Texas waters – off the coast of Galveston – but it hasn’t started generating power.

The company, Louisiana-based Wind Energy Systems Technologies LLC, is conducting meteorological tests and plans to start putting power into the grid in 2009.

Jim Suydam, press secretary of the General Land Office, said that the office doesn’t have specific revenue goals for offshore wind energy because it is a new process.

“We’re kind of waiting to see what we can get,” he said. “It’s history to even offer it up for competitive lease.”

Companies such as Wind Energy Systems Technologies and a company based in the United Kingdom have already expressed an interest.

Miscellaneous, Wind

Fighting Fire with… Biodiesel

John Davis

Charlottesville FDFirefighters in Charlottesville, Virginia will be rushing off to fires, running their fire engines on biodiesel.

This story from WCAV-TV quotes Charlottesville Fire Chief, Charles Werner as pointing out the benefits of the green fuel:

[T]he fire department is changing [its] larger vehicles to run on biodiesel 20. Which means that 20% of the diesel is now an alternative fuel. “The unique thing about that is it reduces the amount of overall diesel fuel we’re using and it makes a cleaner burning type fuel as well.” The fire department hopes to have all of there larger vehicles burning the biodiesel fuel within 6 months. Fire chief werner also plans to add additional hybrid vehicles the fleet, in applicable positions like fire inspector.

“I think its been an interesting challenge but it’s well worth the effort”

The department has also added a Ford Escape Hybrid to its fleet to make the department that much greener.

Biodiesel

Canada Pledges Half-Billion Dollars to Renewables

John Davis

CanadaIn a move that can only be seen as a bold one to boost renewable fuels north of the border, the Canadian government has pledged to put $500 million into development of fuels from renewable sources.

This story from The Canadian Press says the money is going to be put in a development fund managed by Sustainable Development Technology Canada:

The fund will support up to 40 per cent of eligible costs for the establishment of new, large demonstration facilities for production of the fuels.

Contributions will be repayable, based on free cash flow over a 10-year period after completion of the project.

Canadian Renewable Fuels AssociationThe news is being welcomed by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, which says it will build on the environmental and economic benefits of fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Maryland to Buy More Green Vehicles

John Davis

MarylandOfficials in the state of Maryland have pledged to buy more vehicles that run on ethanol and biodiesel and triple the number of hybrids in the state’s fleet by 2011.

This story in the Baltimore (MD) Sun says the Board of Public Works, which approved the policy, is welcoming the news as a way to make Maryland more eco-friendly:

“Even though it is a small step, it is something that is concrete and solid, and we can focus on it,” said Comptroller Peter Franchot. “We’re leading by example.”

The cornerstone of the plan is for 40 percent of the state’s vehicle purchases over the next three years to operate on biofuels, principally ethanol and biodiesel.

There are a couple of major ethanol and biodiesel plants in the works for the Chesapeake Bay area… the biggest ones in the country, IF they can clear some of the opposition’s hurdles put before them.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

POET Prepares For Indiana Grand Opening

John Davis

POETEthanol producer POET is getting ready to open yet another ethanol plant… this time, a 65-million-gallon-a-year facility near Portland, Indiana.

When at peak capacity, the plant will use 22 million bushels of corn a year and join POET’s network of 20 plants (plus seven more in progress) in five states, making POET the the largest dry mill ethanol producer in the United States.

Here are some details for Friday’s grand opening ceremony:

WHO: POET Biorefining – Portland

WHAT: Grand opening ceremony for a $105 million ethanol production facility near Portland, Ind. that will produce 65 million gallons of ethanol per year from 22 million bushels of corn. The opening of this facility will make POET the largest producer of ethanol in the world.

WHEN: Friday, September 14, 2007

Public Tours – 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Vanguard Squadron Flyover – 10:45 a.m.Vanguard planes

Program – 11:00 a.m. – Noon

Lunch – Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Public Tours – 12:30 – 3:15 p.m.

WHERE: The ceremony will take place at the POET Biorefining – Portland facility (1542 S. 200 West). It is located approximately 2 miles Southwest of Portland, Indiana at 1542 S. 200 West. From Portland, go west on Hwy 67 approximately one and quarter miles to 125 South, turn left. Turn right on 200 West, the facility is on the right hand side.

Ethanol, News

Oklahoma… Where the Wind Powers Tulsa Town

John Davis

OK, I’m not quite ready to pen lyrics for a wind energy version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Oklahoma, but I think it’s pretty cool that the state’s plentiful wind could become as common of a fuel source as the finite amount of petroleum that comes from the ground.

TulsaThis story in the Tulsa (OK) World says that city is looking at getting windmills as common as oil rigs:

The city is pursuing a study through the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to determine whether it should use wind to help power its municipal buildings.

Federal officials are expected to be in Tulsa as early as next week to discuss the issue.

“We have to do whatever we can to reduce costs and save money,” said Council Chairman Roscoe Turner, a proponent of the idea.

Tulsa officials hope the new wind energy will lower the city’s energy costs as well as reduce pollutants in the air.

Wind

Canadian Corn Farmers Get New Ethanol Market

John Davis

Greenfield/MonsantoMonsanto’s Gro-Ethanol Program, in conjunction with GreenField Ethanol, is giving corn farmers in Ontario a new market.

This story posted on Marketwire.com says the program will encourage the corn to go to, of course, ethanol:

The Gro-ethanol program, unveiled today at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, invites Ontario’s farmers to grow corn seed containing Monsanto traits, specifically for the ethanol market. The corn hybrids eligible for the program include Monsanto traits that produce higher yielding corn – perfect to meet the demand for corn in ethanol production.

“GreenField Ethanol is committed to remaining a world-class company and continually improving our processes and products,” said GreenField President and CEO Robert Gallant. “We are pleased to work hand-in-hand with Ontario farmers to produce ethanol even more efficiently using these higher-yielding varieties of corn offered through the Gro-ethanol program.”

Monsanto will offer seeds best for ethanol production for sale to producers participating in the program.

Canada has a new, 5 percent ethanol average for all fuel sold that kicks in in 2010.

Ethanol, News