Mark your calendar for Nov. 10th, as the Farm Foundation sponsors the latest in its free forums that discuss the food, agricultural and rural policy issues facing this country. This upcoming discussion, held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington D.C., focuses on energy issues, in particular biofuels: Burton English of …
Biofuels on the Lesson Plan for Some Students
Students across the country recently had a chance to have a blast with biofuels. The 4-H National Youth Science Day taught kids some of the basics of the green fuels. This story from KSFX-TV in Springfield, Missouri says a University of Missouri chemistry lab played host to one such group of students looking to the future of renewable energy: With …
Loan Program Needs Changes to Advance Cellulosic Ethanol
An ethanol industry group says the loan guarantee program at the U.S. Department of Energy needs to function more efficiently and effectively to make capitol available to advance next generation biofuels like cellulosic ethanol. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is asking US Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu to make needed changes in the loan guarantee program for biorefineries. …
FDC Enterprises Awarded DOE Feedstock Delivery Grant
FDC Enterprises, based on Columbus, Ohio, announced today that it has won a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant to develop supply systems to handle and deliver feedstocks for cellulosic biofuels production. The $21 million grant is being shared by five winners. The government is attempting to help speed up cellulosic biofuels production, or the production of fuel that uses …
Buick City Could Become Biodiesel City
What has been a symbol of failure for some of the American automobile industry could become a shining example of green jobs in the U.S. biodiesel industry. This story from the Flint (MI) Journal says that idled for 10 years, “Buick City,” the former Flint, Michigan General Motors plant that once cranked out cars, could soon become a hub for …
Wind, Solar Advocate Picks Up Heinz Award
A man called “one of the most effective renewable energy advocates in Texas” is being honored with an award that has a focus this year on the environment. Thomas “Smitty” Smith… known for his work in putting together the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that is now being adopted all across the country and has made Texas a leader in …
USDA Hands Out $4.2 Mil for Woody Biomass Projects
Federal officials have handed out $4.2 million in grants for projects that will reduce the fuel for forest fires, while creating a green fuel source. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the grants to 17 small businesses and community groups will encourage development of woody biomass into fuel: “By harnessing the full potential of woody biomass, America’s forests can produce renewable …
Algae Biodiesel Plant to be Built in Massachusetts
A one-million-gallon-a-year algae-biodiesel plant could soon become a reality for Massachusetts with some help from the state and federal governments. Biomass Magazine reports that Plankton Power, the maker of algae-based biodiesel, and the Regional Technology Development Corp. of Cape Cod, Mass. are working together to build a pilot-scale algae-based biodiesel production facility in Bourne, Mass. Together with the Massachusetts National …