News and Notes - August 19, 2008

Feature Article

Japan's Suzuki Motor to launch 100 pct ethanol cars in U.S., Brazil
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1830474/

This article looks at a variety of vehicles that Suzuki is developing to run on alternative fuels, including E25, E100, and low emissions biodiesel vehicles. The company has a development partnership with General Motors to develop engines, cars, etc. These newly developed vehicles could make it to the US in 2010 and you have to wonder if this is a test market for a larger program from GM.

US News

Decaturville, TN Biodiesel Plant Explodes, Neighborhoods Evacuated
http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=8847225

As Oil Giants Lose Influence, Supply Drops
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/business/19oil.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

American Oil Imports in June Far Outpace Investment in U.S. Ethanol Production in all of 2007
http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/news/01291_lugaroil_170540.php

MSU’s discovery of plant protein holds promise for biofuel production
http://news.msu.edu/story/5625/

Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels releases proposed standards for review
http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=1914

Nexterra says testing shows biomass gasification ready to displace fossil fuels
http://finance.sympatico.msn.ca/investing/news/businessnews/article.aspx?cp-documentid=9495646

US senators optimistic about ethanol, ag futures
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/8017cd780cf812d3a275299047eda7fc.htm

First Georgia corn ethanol plant near opening
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/08/18/daily9.html

T. Boone Pickens Statement on Meeting With U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) in Reno, Nevada
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/email/headlines/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&div=-606932798&newsId=20080817005029

Ethanol industry counters critics on rising food prices
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/energy/5947212.html

Report Claims Every New Car Will Be a Hybrid By 2020
http://gas2.org/2008/08/18/report-claims-every-new-car-will-be-a-hybrid-by-2020/

Biodiesel firms get boost from Pa. lawmakers
http://www.pottstownmercury.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20021233&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=18041&rfi=6

From algae to palm oil, airlines quietly seeking alternative fuels
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/aug/16/alternatives-fuel-debate/

Incentive aims to add more ethanol fuel options (Kansas program)
http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2008/08/18/daily9.html

Special Biofuels Digest Report on camelina, an advanced biodiesel “wonder crop”
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/08/18/special-biofuels-digest-report-on-camelina-an-advanced-biodiesel-wonder-crop/

POET Considering Fourth Ethanol Plant For Indiana
http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/news/01308_poet_083522.php

Suit alleges gas stations sold E85 as unleaded (Iowa)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-e85lawsuit1stld-w,0,7993230.story

UNL plans to build (federal) research facility on state fair land
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10409557

International News

Ontario to use forestry waste as biofuel but some critics unimpressed
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwe34MKWc1f9mmgCQYmbC__OeW2g

India will farm wasteland for biodiesel
http://www.plentymag.com/blogs/edge/2008/08/india_will_farm_wasteland_for.php

Qld re-affirms compulsory 5pc ethanol in fuel by 2010 (AU)
http://sl.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/general/qld-reaffirms-compulsory-5pc-ethanol-in-fuel-by-2010/1247357.aspx

Compost bug offers hope for biofuel industry
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/15/biofuels.renewableenergy

(Phillipines) Oil companies to import ethanol in ’09 to comply with law
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business5_aug14_2008