News and Notes - July 16, 2008

Upcoming Event

Senator Lamar Alexander is hosting a renewable energy discussion at the University of Tennessee’s West Tennessee Research and Education Center on Friday, July 18 at 10:00 am (CDT). The Center is located in Jackson, TN. The event will be held in Meeting Room B.

Feature Article

T-Bone for Him, Slim Pickin’s for Us (A financial review of the T. Boone Pickens plan)
http://www.star-telegram.com/104/story/761664.html

This article takes a harder look at the plan put forth by T. Boone Pickens. It looks at the cost of infrastructure associated with natural gas refueling stations and also looks at the comparison between gasoline powered cars and natural gas powered cars. The cost of a natural gas car makes it difficult to pay off in the short term, even though natural gas is cheaper than gasoline. The article goes on to point out other weaknesses in the plan.

US News

EPA to delay Renewable Fuel Standard implementation to June 2009
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/07/16/epa-to-delay-renewable-fuel-standard-implementation-to-june-2009/

High Corn Prices Cast Shadow Over Ethanol Plants
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92559699

We need to play the energy game with a full deck
http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1444831.html

Shell, Iogen accelerate biofuel project
http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/07/15/afx5215799.html

Price Of Oil: Hidden Oil Subsidies
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/03/price-of-oil-hidden-oil-s_n_110606.html

From Biofuels to BioFailure
http://blog.heritage.org/2008/07/15/from-biofuels-to-biofailure/

Tyson and Syntroleum Approve Dynamic Fuels (Biodiesel) Plant Construction
http://www.tyson.com/Corporate/PressRoom/ViewArticle.aspx?id=2995

Clean Air Taskforce and Other Environmental Groups Send Letter to Senate Environment and Public Work Committee Urging Biofuels Mandate Suspension
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Clean_Air_Taskforce_and_Other_Environmental_Groups_Send_Letter_to_Senate_Environment_and_Public_Work_Committee_Urging_Biofuels_Mandate_Suspension-60454.html

Ethanol Industry Leaders Letter to President Bush: Don't Repeal Secondary Tariff
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Ethanol_Industry_Leaders_Letter_to_President_Bush__Don_t_Repeal_Secondary_Tariff-60437.html

Turn region's wood waste into ethanol (AL)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2008/07/14/daily16.html

Federal grant approved for Park Falls (WI) biodiesel plant
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/14/daily12.html

Department of Energy to Give $850,000 in Support National Governors Association Energy Initiatives
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Department_of_Energy_to_Give__850_00_in_Support_National_Governors_Association_Energy_Initiatives-60447.html

Minn. firm plans Omaha ethanol plant (using food wastes)
http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=8675519&nav=menu605_2

OECD says first-gen biofuels cost $1700 in public funds per tonne of CO2 reduced; calls for focus on advanced biofuels and conservation as alternative
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/07/16/oecd-says-first-gen-biofuels-cost-1700-in-public-funds-per-tonne-of-co2-reduced-calls-for-focus-on-advanced-biofuels-and-conservation-as-alternative/

CleanTech Partners Looks at Creating Woody Biomass Commodity Exchange
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/CleanTech_Partners_Looks_at_Creating_Woody_Biomass_Commodity_Exchange_-60453.html

Suboctane gas mixed with ethanol would save money for motorists
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/25485484.html

International News

Verenium, Marubeni commence production at cellulosic ethanol plant in Thailand
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS216039+15-Jul-2008+PRN20080715

Airbus plans second-generation biofuel tests
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/07/15/225579/farnborough-2008-airbus-plans-second-generation-biofuel.html