Factory Fresh with Biodiesel Blend

Cindy Zimmerman

Jeep Cherokee According to the National Biodiesel Board, Chrysler Group has announced that the first diesel-powered, full-size sport utility vehicle offered in the United States will be shipped from the factory with B5, a blend containing 5 percent biodiesel. The Jeep® Grand Cherokee CRD’s B5 factory fueling builds on a similar program implemented with the company’s Jeep Liberty CRD.

The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee features a 3.0 liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine built by Mercedes-Benz. Clean diesel technology improves fuel economy by an average of 30 percent and reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 20 percent. The Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit and will arrive at Jeep dealerships in the first quarter of 2007. Peter Cremer North America of Cincinnati, OH – certified through the industry’s BQ-9000 quality control program – will supply the biodiesel fuel.

Biodiesel, Car Makers

Premier Groundbreaking

Cindy Zimmerman

Broin Companies The Broin Companies is holding a ground breaking ceremony August 3 for Premier Ethanol, LLC, a 60 million gallon per year ethanol plant to be constructed near Portland, Indiana.

According to a company release, invited speakers for the program include Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, State Representative Bill Davis, Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier, Ron Lamberty from the American Coalition for Ethanol, and Matt Hartwig of the Renewable Fuels Association. Jeff Broin, CEO of the Broin Companies, will also address the audience. The public is invited.

Ethanol, Facilities

MN Gov Goes to Bat for E85 Conversion Kits

Cindy Zimmerman

MN Gov Gov. Tim Pawlenty is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the testing of E-85 conversion kits in Minnesota. According to an EarthToys press release, Pawlenty sent a letter this week to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson to approve the FlexTek conversion kit (see previous post) which is already being used in Brazil.

The EPA currently prohibits a company or individual from converting a gasoline vehicle to E-85 operation.

However, conversions could result in emissions benefits and help reduce the nation’s addiction to fossil fuels, said Pawlenty.

Pawlenty said his staff would contact EPA officials to further discuss testing the equipment in Minnesota.

Flex Fuel Vehicles, Government

Pretty New Pumps

Cindy Zimmerman

E85 I wish everyone would send me press releases with nice pictures attached like this one from Dresser Wayne, “an industry pioneer for the retail fueling industry” whose motto is “Fueling the Future.”

They sent me a release about these pretty new E85 pumps just installed at 18 Kroger fuel stations in Dallas and Houston. The Dresser Wayne Vista 387 E85 dispenser contains components specifically designed to be tolerant to alcohol, making the dispenser more durable and resistant to corrosion. To bring the first industry-approved E85 retail fuel dispenser to the market, Dresser Wayne is partnering with CleanFUEL USA, recognized as a leader in the alternative fuels industry.

We might be seeing more of those pumps around. The U.S. House this week voted 355 to nine in favor of legislation to expand the infrastructure required for increased availability of alternative fuels at U.S. gas stations. The measure – HR 5534 – establishes a program for independent gas stations to apply for assistance to install infrastructure like E-85 pumps.

Ethanol

Peachy Bioenergy Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

Georgia A three-day conference in Tifton, Georgia next week will cover everything anyone would ever want to know about bioenergy – from research and production to marketing and legislation. The Georgia Bioenergy Conference is “not just about grain and beans,” as it focuses heavily on the use of alternative feed-stocks such as wood byproducts, grasses, and byproducts from peanut, cotton, and municipal wastes to generate energy.

The dates are August 1-3. More info is available on the website.

Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Energy, Ethanol

Plans Delayed for One Florida Ethanol Plant

Cindy Zimmerman

US EnviroFuels One of two ethanol plants being built by U.S. EnviroFuels has run into a snag due to a land issue. The company is planning facilities at both Port Manatee and the Port of Tampa, but according to the Bradenton Herald, the Manatee county site is on hold “until they can work out an agreement with Port Manatee tenant TransMontaigne Inc. to lease 16.5 acres of land.”

Meanwhile, the Tampa plant continues to moving forward and is close to groundbreaking, according to company officials.

Ethanol

Kansas Ethanol Plant Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

ICM ICM Inc. of Colwich, Kan., will design an ethanol plant in Rice County, KS between Lyons and Sterling. The plant will be capable of producing 55 million gallons per year and is being funded by an investment group that includes former Kansas Senate President Dave Kerr.

According to an article in the Hutchinson (KS) News, construction of the plant should begin in December. “We’ve worked very closely with ICM, and we’re extremely pleased to have been given a favorable start date,” Kerr said.

Ethanol

Getting to Know 25x’25

Cindy Zimmerman

25x25 logo The alliance known as 25X’25 is gaining more visibility with its goal to have 25 percent of the nation’s energy supply come from renewable resources by the year 2025. Major organizations, congressional leaders and companies are backing the coalition and the momentum is growing.

At the Ag Media Summit in Portland this week, Chuck sat down with Mike Bowman, one of the 25x’25 Steering Committee members, and talked about their goals and how they hope to attain them.
Listen to Chuck’s interview here Listen to MP3 25×25 Interview (8 min MP3)

Audio, Energy

Ethanol Prices Stabilizing

Cindy Zimmerman

All the complaining about high ethanol prices may soon come to an end. Reports are that ethanol prices appear to be leveling out and should start falling. An article in the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier today quotes Tami Foster, an energy data analyst with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Foster said high ethanol demand on the east and west coasts has stabilized. At the same time more ethanol production capacity is coming on line in Iowa and elsewhere.

That means several months of rising ethanol prices may be at an end, Foster said. And she predicts in a week or so ethanol’s price at the pump will fall back below regular unleaded.

Miscellaneous

Team Ethanol at the Milwaukee Mile

Cindy Zimmerman

Indy Car Series Rahal Letterman Racing Team Ethanol car driver Jeff Simmons finished in the top ten again Sunday at the Milwaukee Mile, starting in his highest pole position at sixth and finishing ninth.

Simmons commented, “The Team Ethanol crew did a great job preparing the car this weekend. We had over best qualifying run of the year and we scored our third straight top ten despite the pit problem. I think we are working well together as a team and I feel will continue the improvement.”

Meanwhile, RLR team member Danica Patrick finished fourth in the race, amid rumors that she will bolt at the end of this season and join another team. Tony Kanaan won the race.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing