New KS Ethanol Company Hires CEO From USDA

Cindy Zimmerman September 12, 2006

Everton Energy, a new biofuel company headquartered in Kansas, has announced the appointment of Bert Farrish as the company’s first Chief Executive Officer.

According to a news release, Farrish joins Everton from the United States Department of Agriculture, where he served as Deputy Administrator for Commodity Operations for the Farm Service Agency. In this role, Farrish was directly responsible for the administration of the United States bio-diesel and ethanol bio-energy program.

“Our vision is to build a fully integrated energy production and marketing company, using the latest technological developments in bio-energy,” said Farrish. “We are in a unique position to take a leadership stake in the rapidly growing biofuel industry, and we expect to be producing ethanol within just three years. By 2010, Everton will be one of the leading producers and suppliers in the United States.”

Everton is partnering with Kansas-based ICM to design and construct a 100 million gallon ethanol production facility in Concordia, Kansas starting in early 2007. Everton also plans to announce details regarding the location and development of a second facility in the near future.

Ethanol

200 Million for Cilion

Cindy Zimmerman September 12, 2006

Officials with California-based Cilion announced this week they have raised over $200 million in capital financing to build multiple ethanol plants.

Cilion was formed in June (see previous post) with a partnership between Western Milling and venture capital firm Khosla Ventures

According to a press release, Cilion will operate modular, standardized 55 million gallons per year ethanol plants using India-based Praj technology. Using a variety of innovations, these plants will be greener and less expensive than standard corn-to-ethanol plants, therefore substantially reducing the consumption of traditional energy sources in ethanol production.

Ethanol

Agressive Expansion

Cindy Zimmerman September 12, 2006

According to this AP report out of Rio de Janeiro, “Brazil is aggressively expanding its sugarcane plantations and expects to more than double its annual exports of alcohol fuel, or ethanol, by 2010.” That’s according to Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy speaking at the Rio Oil and Gas Expo and Conference on Monday.

Brazil is the world’s second-biggest producer of ethanol after the United States and is the biggest exporter. Brazil also has the world’s largest fleet of ethanol-powered cars _ seven out of every 10 new cars sold in Brazil are “flex fuel” vehicles that can run on gasoline, ethanol or any combination of the two.

Brazil’s state-run oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras, said it expected to sign a long-term contract to export ethanol to Venezuela.

Ethanol, International

Breaking More Ground

Cindy Zimmerman September 12, 2006

Thursday is the big day for a new ethanol plant in Michigan.

US BioEnergy will celebrate the opening of Michigan’s third ethanol plant in Woodbury Thursday, Sept. 14. Mitch Irwin, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, will serve as master of ceremonies. Bob Dineen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association will speak along with company officials. US Bio Woodbury will use more than 16 million bushels of corn to produce 50 million gallons of ethanol annually

According to the US Bio Woodbury page on the US Bioenergy website, they have a live web cam to “check out plant construction progress live.” I tried it, but it didn’t work – even after downloading the recommended software from the site, which took about 25 minutes! So, I assume it will be there sometime – maybe after the groundbreaking. I mean, how much could there be to look at now?

Ethanol

Paseo Biofuels Meetings

Cindy Zimmerman September 12, 2006

More Paseo Biofuels investment meetings are scheduled for this week in Missouri.

Tuesday 9/12 at 9:00 a.m. – City Auditorium in Union
Wednesday 9/13 at 9:00 a.m. – Red Rooster Restaurant in Laplata
Wednesday 9/13 at 1:00 p.m. – Lions Club Hall in Mendon
Thursday 9/14 at 9:00 a.m. – Hampton Inn in Clinton
Thursday 9/14 at 12:00 p.m. – Flaming Lantern in Butler
Friday 9/15 at 9:00 a.m. – Holy Rosery in Monroe City

For more information about Paseo Biofuels they suggest you call 573-635-3819.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel in the Parks

Cindy Zimmerman September 12, 2006

In 1995, the soybean checkoff funded key research on soy biodiesel quality. The same year, Yellowstone National Park began serving as the soy biodiesel testing ground for the National Park Service. A decade later, the market for soy biodiesel is flourishing, and its use has spread to more than 20 other national parks and among thousands of other diesel users such as farmers and truckers.

United Soybean Board director Chuck Myers of Nebraska and Jim Evanoff, Environmental Manager for Yellowstone National Park held a press conference Tuesday from Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park to talk about the use of biodiesel in our national parks.

“We’re here to recognize ten-plus years of successful use of biodiesel in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park,” said Myers. “It confirms that biodiesel can be used successfully in one of the harshest all weather climates in the United States.”

“Yellowstone, being the world’s first national park, we feel an obligation to be first at doing the right thing environmentally,” Evanoff said. “The most successful has been the introduction and advancement of biodegradable fuels in Yellowstone Park.”

You can listen to the opening statements of Myers and Evanoff here: Biodiesel Parks (6 min MP3)

According to the state of Montana, the use of biodiesel by Yellowstone has reduced the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by 500 tons per year.

The use of biodiesel in the National Park Service now includes 23 parks nationwide with over 1,000 different diesel applications including conventional diesel vehicles, boats, heavy equipment, and stationery applications such as boilers and stand-by generators. Blends range from 2 percent to 100 percent biodiesel.

Biodiesel, Government

Paul Dana Awards

Cindy Zimmerman September 12, 2006

Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman honored the first three recipients of the Paul Dana Leadership in Biofuels Awards on Aug. 28 in a ceremony at the Indiana State House.

The recipients of the 2006 Paul Dana Leadership in Biofuels Award are Kellie Walsh, executive director of the Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance; Dr. Mike Ladisch, a professor at Purdue University who directs the school’s laboratory of renewable resources engineering; and Jon Lantz, vice president of supply and marketing for Countrymark Coop. Pictured with the winners are Skillman and Indiana Agriculture Director Andy Miller (on either side of Kellie Walsh).

The award, announced during 90th Indianapolis 500 activities in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, was named in memory of Indy Racing League IndyCar Series driver and biofuels advocate Paul Dana. Notice that the awards are replicas of Dana’s helmet in the photo.

“Paul Dana was a man who understood the incredible upside to the development and use of biofuels,” said Skillman. “He could see the many benefits biofuels offer to our nation, to our environment and to our farmers. He used his position and energy to make great strides in this area. The three individuals we honor today are examples of the dedication and vision that marked Paul Dana’s life and legacy.”

Full Flex Fuel Facts

Cindy Zimmerman September 11, 2006

Got a call today from FullFlex USA, a company in Idaho that sells a conversion system to make most any car a flex-fuel vehicle. Seems they saw the post on Flex Tek we did a while back (see previous post) and thought I might be interested in doing an interview about their system – and I was.

According to their website, “FULLFLEX GOLD Bi-Fuel Manager works with microprocessors that automatically adapt to your fuel system requirements. There is no polarity concern with Fullflex. The computer system calculates a ultra fine adjustment which may increase fuel economy and better performance for your vehicle.”

President and CFO Alex Conger owns this bright yellow Hummer, named “Ethyl,” that runs on 98 percent ethanol using the FullFlex system and he says he actually gets better fuel mileage with ethanol using the system than with regular gasoline!

You can listen to my interview with Alex here: Full Flex Interview (9 min MP3)

You can also see a video of Alex and Ethyl on their website, or from this YouTube link.

Alex doesn’t quote a price for the Full Flex system in the interview, saying that he would rather people would call so that he can find out exactly what vehicle they have and what their needs are. The toll free number is 866-568-3617 and the website is FullFlexInt.com. There is an on-line store with various models which range from about $420 to $700, depending on the vehicle type – monopoint, multipoint, throttle body injector, five cylinder, etc.

Audio, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

Promoting Renewable Energy Conference

Cindy Zimmerman September 11, 2006

The US Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy last week were out promoting the upcoming Renewable Energy Conference in St. Louis.

USDA Radio News reporter Rod Bain did several stories with Secretaries Mike Johanns and Sam Bodman you can listen to here:

Energy Conference Story 1 (1 min MP3)
Energy Conference Story 2 (1 min MP3)
Energy Conference Story 3 (1 min MP3)
Energy Conference Story 4 (1 min MP3)

Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance will be held October 10-12 at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Besides the two secretaries, featured speakers at the event will include:

Red Cavaney-President and Chief Executive Officer, American Petroleum Institute
Keith Collins-Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Thomas Dorr-Under Secretary for Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Charles Holliday-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dupont
Alexander Karsner-Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
Vinod Khosla-Founder of Khosla Ventures, Co-Founder of Sun Microsystems, and Former Partner of Kleimer, Perkins, Kaufield & Byers, a venture capital firm
Robert W. Lane-Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Deere and Company
Raymond L. Orbach-Under Secretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy
Patricia A Woertz-President, Chief Executive Officer, Archer Daniels Midland Company

Goals for the conference are to identify major impediments, review challenges and make recommendations to help accelerate renewable energy technology development, examine key incentives that would help promote certainty and reduce risk for investors and developers in the marketplace, review challenges of developing new distribution systems, raise public awareness and team to ensure Advancement in Renewable Energy.

Government registration fee is $495 per person, if registering online before October 1, 2006. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for renewable energy industry partners. See the website for more info.

Audio, Government

Biodiesel For Healthier Lungs

Cindy Zimmerman September 11, 2006

Biodiesel’s role in improving air quality was the focus of a lung association forum last week, according to a release from the National Biodiesel Board.

Leaders of health and environmental organizations met with government officials and industry representatives at the first Air Quality and Alternative Transportation Fuel Forum, where they learned about the important role biodiesel can play in reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality and human health. Hosted by American Lung Association of the District of Columbia, American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest and American Lung Association of the Southwest, the Forum was held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

At the forum, Dr. Robert McCormick, U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory Principal Engineer, presented the latest biodiesel emissions data, reporting that a blend of 20 percent biodiesel (B20) can reduce particulate matter emissions by more than 20% based on heavy duty vehicle testing, that biodiesel blends significantly reduce toxic compound emissions and that use of B20 can reduce life-cycle carbon dioxide emissions by 19%.

Biodiesel

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