The issue of food versus fuel was a topic of discussion among international agricultural journalists visiting Austria this past week. The group of 250 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists members representing nearly 20 countries was led by former commissioner of agriculture for the European Union Franz Fischler, a native Austrian. Fischler called the food versus fuel controversy “unfair.” “They don’t …
Obama Tells Farmers He Supports Ethanol
Ethanol was a major topic of discussion for members of the National Farmers Union meeting this week in Washington DC. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke to the NFU members by phone and pledged his support for new investments in renewable fuels and other policies that would benefit rural America. Obama also reiterated his support of the Renewable Fuels Standard. …
Ethanol to be Featured at RNC AgNite
The Minnesota Agri-Growth Council is hosting a celebration of America’s food, agriculture and energy industries during the second night of the Republican National Convention in the Twin Cities. AgNite is a non-partisan event independent from the RNC being coordinated by the council with the help of numerous sponsors, including the ethanol industry under the auspices of the Renewable Fuels Association. …
75 Percent of US Biodiesel Meeting BQ-9000 Quality Standard
A full three-quarters of all the biodiesel produced in the U.S. now meets the important BQ-9000 certification… a standard that couples the foundations of universally accepted quality management systems with the product specification ASTM D 6751, and has become the premier quality designation in the industry. This press release from the National Biodiesel Board says six companies picked up the …
Biodiesel Proves Its Worth in Buses
A year-long test of biodiesel in city buses in St. Louis, MO has shown that the green fuel is comparable in fuel economy to the cleanest version its petroleum counterpart, while being much more reliable with fewer maintenance issues. This story posted on CanadianDriver.com says the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study showed B20 biodiesel was within two percent of …
Ethanol Industry Pleased with EPA Decision
Reaction from the ethanol industry started coming out just minutes after the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would deny a request to cut the Renewable Fuels Standard. Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen calls the decision “an important victory for all Americans.” “Today’s EPA decision recognizes the importance of biofuels to the American economy,” Dinneen said in a statement. “The …
Georgia Researchers Increasing Ethanol Yields
A group of researchers from the University of Georgia are working on technology to get more ethanol from non-food sources, such as biomass. This story from ChemicalOnline.com says they’re finding a way to make ethanol out of bermuda grass, switch grass, napier grass and even lawn clippings cleaner than previous biomass ethanol efforts: “Producing ethanol from renewable biomass sources such …
Ag Secretary Addresses Florida Farm to Fuel Summit
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer traveled to Florida to address the third annual Florida Farm to Fuel Summit in Orlando. “This is the theme park capitol of the world, it is a city of dreams and the power of imagination,” Schafer told the group. “As we sit here in the land of imagination and dreams, it’s up to all …
Florida Governor Promotes Alternative Fuels
Florida Governor Charlie Crist spoke to a group of over 450 gathered for the third annual Florida Farm to Fuel summit in Orlando Thursday, following an address by US Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer. “You know that Florida is a top agricultural state already,” Crist told the group. “The development of ethanol and other biofuels is incredibly important to Florida’s …