All Minnesota Biodiesel is Accredited

Cindy Zimmerman November 10, 2006

According to the National Biodiesel Board, all of the major biodiesel producers in Minnesota are now accredited under BQ-9000, the voluntary biodiesel industry fuel quality control program.

Last week, FUMPA Biofuels of Redwood Falls, Minn., and Minnesota Soybean Processors of Brewster, Minn. became the latest accredited biodiesel producers. Metro Fuel Corp. of Brooklyn, New York also became certified as a biodiesel marketer.

There are currently three BQ-9000 certified biodiesel marketers and 14 accredited biodiesel producers. They account for more than 40 percent of the biodiesel production capacity in the U.S.

Renova to Supply Ethanol for IRL

Cindy Zimmerman November 9, 2006

Ethanol for the 2007 IndyCar Series will be supplied by Renova Energy of Wyoming.

Ethanol Promotion and Information Council executive director Tom Slunecka made that announcement during a press conference Thursday announcing the new team for Rahal-Letterman Racing.

“Of course all of our member plants are producing the same high quality product,” said Slunecka. “But Renova Energy will actually be fueling the Indy Car Series with product coming out of their plant in Torrington, Wyoming.”

Slunecka says Renova has proven to be able to be a “strong technical partner in making sure that this fuel supply is safe and fast.”

The IndyCar Series needs to have a single consistent fuel supplier to guarantee that all cars in the league are using the same quality and grade of fuel.

Rahal Letterman Powered by Alcohol

Cindy Zimmerman November 9, 2006

Alcohol will be powering the 2007 Rahal-Letterman Racing team in more ways than one.

The number 17 Team Ethanol car will be driven once again by Jeff Simmons and sponsored, of course, by the ethanol industry. The second car in the RLR stable will be Number 8, piloted by veteran IndyCar Series driver Scott Sharp and sponsored by Patrón Spirits Company premium brand tequila.

During a press conference Thursday, Rahal-Letterman co-owner Bobby Rahal praised Jeff Simmons’ efforts this year, coming on board after the tragic death of driver Paul Dana before the first race of the season. “It was some difficult shoes to fill and he came in and with each race gained more and more confidence,” Rahal said. “And with Jeff we are fortunate to have the relationship with the ethanol industry.”

The IndyCar Series is making the switch to 100 percent ethanol in 2007 and Rahal said they have been very pleased with the results of the fuel. “Any myths that were associated with lack of performance (regarding ethanol) have been shattered.”

Driver Jeff Simmons is looking forward to his first full year with the IndyCar Series and Rahal-Letterman and said his goals for 2007 are simple, “To win races and be a good spokesman for ethanol.”

Tom Slunecka, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council, said the ethanol industry’s partnership with Rahal-Letterman and the Indy Racing League has taken ethanol to new heights. “The ‘e’ on the side of that car is starting to represent more than just a brand for a commodity product. It really is a movement that has been strengthening, letting consumers know the performance in that Indy Car can be purchased locally at their gas station.”

Ethanol Business Stoked Up With Democrat Win

Cindy Zimmerman November 8, 2006

Shares of Archer Daniels Midland Co. and VeraSun Energy Corp., the two biggest U.S. ethanol producers, soared on speculation that Democratic control of the U.S. House of Representatives will boost demand.

“A Democrat-led House is likely to amount to a political net plus for the ethanol industry,” Stanford Group Co. analyst Mark McMinimy wrote today in a report to clients. “The political climate for ethanol in the Congress will shift from an environment that was already favorable to one that is promising for ethanol-friendly legislation over the coming two years.”

ADM Expects Growth in Low Percentage Ethanol Blends

Cindy Zimmerman November 8, 2006

The Chicago Tribune reports on comments from Archer Daniels Midland executives that they foresee “rapid growth in the market for gasoline blended with 10, 15 or even 20 percent concentrations of ethanol, but slower acceptance of so-called “E-85.” Read full story.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

ADM Plans Global Lead in Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman November 8, 2006

Archer Daniels Midland Company made presentations to financial analysts in Chicago Wednesday outlining plans to be the global leader in ethanol and biodiesel production, while expanding its top position in the agricultural processing value chain.

“ADM is uniquely positioned at the intersection of the world’s increasing demands for both food and fuel,” said Patricia Woertz, ADM CEO and President. “As one of the largest agricultural processors in the world and the largest biofuels producer in the world, ADM is in a category of one to capitalize on the exceptional opportunity ahead.”

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

ISU Researching Potential Cellulose Breakdown Compound

Cindy Zimmerman November 8, 2006

A 40-year-old discovery is showing promise as a chemical pre-treatment that breaks down plant fiber. That could release the simple sugars in corn stalks or switchgrass so they can be fermented into ethanol. And that could add value to Iowa’s crops or the fibrous co-products of ethanol production. John Verkade, left, a University Professor of chemistry at Iowa State, and Reed Oshel, a graduate student in biorenewable resources and technology, are studying the compound which they are not identifying as they explore patent options.

UL Reports Progress on E85 Pumps

Cindy Zimmerman November 7, 2006

Underwriters Laboratories reports progress toward developing safety requirements for E85 ethanol dispensers after a two-day forum at headquarters in Chicago last week. Concern over the safety of pumps for 85 percent ethanol was brought into question after a notice Oct. 23 that UL had suspended authorization of E85 dispenser components and that it would be updating its requirements.

The technical forum, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, featured 32 national experts discussing E85 fuel-dispensing system materials and the development of safety standards for E85 dispensers. Participants included automobile and petroleum company representatives, ethanol producers, dispenser and component manufacturers, industry associations, government agencies and researchers.

UL, North America’s leading safety testing and certification organization, said additional technical data is necessary from forum participants to assist in the standards development process. Forum participants agreed to provide UL with requested technical data no later than Nov. 15.

Ford Goes Back to Ethanol Roots

Cindy Zimmerman November 7, 2006

AgriNews of Minnesota reports that Ford is “returning to its origins with its interest in ethanol.”

In 1907, ethanol was the primary fuel for Ford vehicles because it was the most widely available fuel, said Ron Westby, director of public policy for Ford Motor Company, speaking at last week’s Agri-Growth Council annual meeting.

Ford switched to gasoline after the Volstad Act outlawed alcohol in 1918, Westby said, because then gasoline was more readily available.

Read the story here.

Car Makers, Ethanol, News

Ethanol Fever Fires Up Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman November 7, 2006

Scripps News has a feature on ethanol fever in the Heartland, focusing on Heron Lake, Minn.

Ethanol mania is sweeping through Heron Lake and many towns like it across the Corn Belt. Investors are spending billions in rural communities, sparking a wild rush to secure land, an industry movement to alter environmental standards and a rash of fierce bidding by communities desperate for their own plant.

Two decades after farmers began mashing their corn into ethanol, the clear, odorless liquid is seen by many as the best chance for America to lessen its dependence on foreign oil.

Read the story here.

Ethanol, News

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