Exxon to Invest Millions in Biofuels

Despite the widely publicized “moonshine” remark a few years ago by Exxon’s chairman and chief executive, Rex W. Tillerson, the company has spent several years exploring various fuel alternatives, according to one of its top research officials. “We literally looked at every option we could think of, with several key parameters in mind,” said Emil Jacobs, vice president for research …

biofuels, Ethanol News

High School Biodiesel Team Gets Funds for Research

John Davis

While we here about millions of dollars going to big renewable energy programs, it’s nice to hear about a few bucks going to some small, grassroots efforts. A high school biodiesel program from New Hampshire known for beating some colleges in energy competitions has received $5,000 from an anonymous donor. This story from the Nashua (NH) Telegraph says the Merrimack …

Biodiesel, Energy

World Bank Issued an “F”

Joanna Schroeder

The World Bank received a failing grade this week for its lack of support to developing countries trying to implement biofuels project. The “F” comes from the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) representing over 65 percent of the world’s biofuels production from 44 countries. In a letter to Robert Zoellick, President of World Bank, from Bliss Baker, President of the …

biofuels, International

LSU Fans Choose Ethanol at College World Series

Joanna Schroeder

Ethanol is everywhere – even the College World Series. Each June, Omaha hosts the teams and fans who hope to go all the way. This year, fans were able to cheer in style with their “Choose Ethanol” koozies. The Renewable Fuels Association recently launched the “Flex-Fuel Challenge” Summer Photo Contest. All you have to do is take a picture of …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Clinton at Ethanol Summit 2009: Save the Trees

Joanna Schroeder

The Ethanol Summit 2009 is in full swing in Sao Paulo, Brazil with President Bill Clinton kicking off the festivities yesterday. His main message was that while biofuels are an important element in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, it cannot happen at the continued destruction of rainforests. In an article published by Reuters yesterday, Clinton was quoted as saying, …

biofuels, conferences, Environment, Ethanol, Indirect Land Use, Miscellaneous

The Great Gatsby Goes Green

Joanna Schroeder

Hollywood had a green makeover last week when the first all-solar community, The Gatsby Hollywood, was unveiled. This community of 34 brownstones is the largest all green, all -solar, smart home community in the country and not only features renewable energy but was built using renewable materials. According to Dan Thompson, the CEO of MasterCraft Homes Group, who designed and …

Environment, Solar

PetroAlgae Opens DC Office

John Davis

President 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 …

algae, Biodiesel

Vancouver to Host Hydrogen/Fuel Cell Event

John Davis

Some believe the future of renewable energy is with hydrogen. If that’s true, the future… and the world… will be coming to Vancouver next week for Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009… billed as Canada’s premier international hydrogen and fuel cell event. Organizers say the event, which runs from May 31 – June 3, will “showcase Canada’s leadership in commercialization of …

Hydrogen, International

Ethanol Lobbyists Top on the Hill

Cindy Zimmerman

There are literally thousands of registered lobbyists who regularly walk the halls of the nation’s capitol buttonholing lawmakers to talk up the benefits or detriments of some piece of legislation to their particular organization members. Political insider publication “The Hill” made a list the week of who they consider to be the nation’s most influential association lobbyists – and two …

Ethanol, Government