energy.agwired.com

Despite increased demand for ethanol in the U.S., imports declined in both September and October of this year, according to preliminary data supplied by the federal Energy Information Administration.

October imports of the plant-derived gasoline additive stood at 1.505 million barrels, down from 2.194 million barrels in September, and down from the record-high 3.203 million barrels in August. The October level is also below June and July import levels.

Brazil provided 824,000 barrels, down from 1.318 million barrels in September. Most of the Brazilian barrels were bound for the East Coast of the remainder, 105,000 barrels went to Houston and 101,000 barrels went to the West Coast.

Other suppliers of ethanol for the U.S. include China, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Canada and Trinidad.

Read Dow Jones report.

The Chicago Board of Trade has successfully launched clearing services for two new over-the-counter Ethanol Calendar Swap contracts with the clearing of 60 contracts last week.

The new products, forward and previous month calendar swaps, are based on the price of CBOT Ethanol futures contracts and are the first exchange-cleared OTC products to be specifically tailored for use in the ethanol industry.

CBOT Senior Vice President of Business Development, Robert D. Ray said, “As the ethanol market continues to grow and mature, the CBOT, in close collaboration with our clients will continue to create new and innovative opportunities and services for the ethanol industry. The CBOT Ethanol Calendar Swap contracts are a perfect example of this collaborative process, providing a standard, transparent reference price to the OTC market, while reducing counterparty risk.”

Read more from the CBOT.

From the Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

One company foresees nearly limitless demand for alternative fuel as gas prices continue to rise.

Their outlooks on the industry differ, but Indiana Bio-Energy LLC and Broin Cos. each plan to invest more than $100 million to build ethanol plants in Wells County. Only three miles would separate the two plants southwest of downtown Bluffton. With the competition so close, each company recognizes it will need to be as efficient as possible to succeed in an industry projected to be increasingly cutthroat.

Read full story.

From the Daily Advertiser (Lafayette, Louisiana)

“Ethanol could be the salvation of Louisiana agriculture,” says Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Bob Odom. He and others are hoping the future begins here.

The $56 million mill, built with state taxpayer money, is now owned by a partnership of area farmers and Andino Sugar Development, LLC, a company with headquarters in Colombia. They say they plan to put a plant to make ethanol from sugar syrup produced on the site by 2008.

Read the whole story.

A Nebraska community college is getting nearly $2 million in federal funds to increase educational opportunities for the ethanol industry.

Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) has announced that Northeast Community College in Norfolk will receive the grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

“This is important news for Nebraska,” Hagel said. “The growing demand for alternative sources of energy requires educated professionals in Nebraska with a strong understanding of the technical, economic and agricultural needs of the rapidly expanding ethanol industry. This grant will put Northeast Community College at the forefront in training a well-educated work force for the ethanol industry.”