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

Million Mile Haul

Cindy Zimmerman November 7, 2006

Ten truckers will be driving a million miles over the next two years to study and promote the benefits of soy biodiesel.

The Iowa Soybean Association, Decker Trucking Lines, Inc., the National Biodiesel Board, Caterpillar Inc., Iowa Central Community College, Renewable Energy Group and the USDA have partnered to support this study.

The study will use a biodiesel mix of 20% soy biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. Trucks using both biodiesel and traditional diesel will run identical routes and carry the same weight, and researchers will measure fuel mileage, engine wear, and other data.

Biodiesel Report Available

Cindy Zimmerman November 7, 2006

SRI Consulting recently released its new Biodiesel Report that provides comprehensive and current information on the global biodiesel industry and trends.

According to an SRI news release:

Author and Vice President at SRIC Ralf Gubler said, “Over the last year, the biodiesel industry has changed dramatically. For example, the average biodiesel plant in Western Europe produced about 40 thousand metric tons last year. In 2006, the average capacity is expected to be 100 thousand metric tons. Also, other regions are planning to have the same capacity within two years.”

The report provides in depth coverage on supply and demand, feedstock issues, production technologies, and regulatory, environmental and agricultural issues for over 60 individual countries. In over 500 pages and 280 tables, the report details 15 years of historical and five years of projected supply/demand figures on a country-by-country level.

For additional information about the Biodiesel Report, see www.sriconsulting.com.

Biodiesel

Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit

Cindy Zimmerman November 7, 2006

The third annual Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit is coming up December 10 – 12 in Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada.

The summit is hosted by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and features a number of important speakers including:

The Hon. Lorne Calvert,
Premier of Saskatchewan

Lorne Hepworth, President,
CropLife Canada

Barb Isman, President,
Canola Council of Canada

Lionel LaBelle,
Saskatchewan Ethanol Development Council

Gord Surgeoner, President,
Ontario Agri Food Technologies

Dave Vander Griend, President and CEO,
ICM Inc.

Dave Paterson, V.P Corporate and Environmental Affairs,
General Motors Canada

Biodiesel, Ethanol

CBOT to Launch OTC Ethanol Contracts

Cindy Zimmerman November 7, 2006

The Chicago Board of Trade has announced plans for two new over-the-counter (OTC) Ethanol Calendar Swap contracts.

The new products, which will include contracts for both forward and previous month calendar swaps, will be based on the price of CBOT Ethanol futures contracts. Scheduled to be introduced on December 4, 2006, CBOT Ethanol Swap contracts are the first exchange-cleared OTC products to be specifically tailored for use in the ethanol industry.

“Buy the Bus” to Promote E85

Cindy Zimmerman November 6, 2006

Two Boulder, Colorado residents are on a mission to promote E-85 by bus.

Self-described dedicated environmentalists Jason and Tracey Keeley have “organized Buy the Bus to fund an eight-month tour of key locations in the United States, during which they will spread the word about E85.”

Tracey and Jason’s combined passion for the great outdoors has culminated in Buy the Bus, an advertising campaign designed to help spread the word about E85. Starting in April of 2007, Jason and Tracey will tour the United States for eight months, educating the American people about ethanol fuel. The Volkswagon Bus they will use will also be converted so that it can run on E85, which Jason and Tracey will use religiously.

Buy the Bus allows businesses to buy advertisement space on the Volkswagen Bus in which they will make the trip. The bus will see about 8,000 miles of highway, guaranteeing broad exposure for the advertisements it carries with it. Additionally, the ads will remain on the Buy the Bus website, as well as the real bus, for three years. Advertising space costs $1 per pixel, sold in blocks of 100, which translates to 3” by 3” blocks on the real bus.

GA Farm Bureau Supports Biofuels Tax Cut

Cindy Zimmerman November 6, 2006

A Georgia Farm Bureau committee adopted a proposal to cut the sales tax on the sale and production of ethanol and biodiesel (see previous post) to present to the membership in its December meeting.

Seventeen states have reduction or elimination of sales and use motor fuel taxes for ethanol and/or biodiesel, according to information from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center. Many states offer packages of tax credits, grants, loans, and rebates to producers and users.

See Georgia Ag Department press release for more.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News

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