The news sites are all abuzz today about a pending deal that could turn the United States and Brazil into what the AP calls the “OPEC of ethanol.”
President Bush is traveling to Brazil late this week and is expected to ink the deal with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva:
The deal is still being negotiated, but the two leaders are expected to sign an accord on Friday to develop standards to help turn ethanol into an internationally traded commodity, and to promote sugar cane-based ethanol production in Central America and the Caribbean to meet rising international demand.
Across Latin America’s largest country, Brazilian media were billing the Bush-Silva meeting as a bid to create a new two-state”OPEC of ethanol,” despite efforts by Brazilian and US officials to downplay the label amid concerns that whatever emerges would be viewed as a price-fixing cartel.
One point of contention expected to be addressed at the meeting is a 14-cent-a-liter U.S. tariff on Brazilian ethanol imports. This story on Bloomberg.com shows just how much the Brazilians, of course, don’t want the tax:
“If we’re going to have free commerce, then let’s have free commerce, so that people have the opportunity to buy and sell. The high tariffs the U.S. imposes on Brazilian ethanol don’t make any sense,” Lula said on his weekly radio address to the nation today.
Ethanol is certainly king in Brazil as eight out of 10 cars runs on the alternative fuel.
The New Mexico House has passed a measure that would require all diesel vehicles to use at least 5% biodiesel. Under Rep. John Heaton’s bill, all state agencies and public schools would be required to buy the 5% blend starting after in about three years. All diesel vehicles, public and private, would have the requirement after July 1st, 2012.
One of the highlights of the 
Biofuels will play a major role in the soybean industry for the next 10 to 15 years under the 
The ethanol industry is making progress towards the goal of helping consumers readily identify ethanol-enhanced fuel at the pump no matter where they are in the country. 
Arlan Suderman is a market analyst for 
The 2007 Commodity Classic is underway in Tampa, Florida and biofuels are most definitely in the spotlight. From the policy making meetings for corn, soybean and wheat growers, to the informational sessions, to the trade show the influence of the energy business in agriculture dominates.
State Sen. Cap Dierks’s bill (
Houston-based energy company Kinder Morgan says it will spend $100 million to expand its biodiesel terminals in Houston, New Orleans, and New York City. According to a