News and Notes - Nov. 4, 2008

Feature Article

Sen. Grassley asks the Grocery Manufacturers Association to lower foods costs since corn prices have declined
http://grassley.senate.gov/private/upload/10312008.pdf

Finally! Someone seeks accountability from those who have accused ethanol of being the source of many problems! I am glad to see Sen. Grassley using the GMA’s own figures and quotes to beat them at their own game. I have a slide from a powerpoint presentation hanging in my office. In a typical 18-ounce box of Corn Flakes, there is approximately 12.9 ounces (1.44% of a bushel) of corn. At $3 a bushel, that corn cost 4.3 cents. At $6 a bushel, it costs 8.6 cents. Tell me, how does a box of corn flakes increase 21 cents (Fall 2007) and that entire increase be blamed on ethanol? Hmmm.....does it take oil to produce, harvest, ship, and process the corn?

US News

Presidential Candidate Energy Information – A Comprehensive Look
http://www.garbrook.com/welcome/presidentupdate08/index.html

From a strange brew, cheaper fuel (Mascoma)
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2008/11/03/from_a_strange_brew_cheaper_fuel/

The Death of Ethanol: One Thing Wall Street Saw Coming
http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2008/11/03/the-death-of-ethanol-one-thing-wall-street-saw-coming/

Don’t Put on the Black Dress The Patient Isn’t Dead
http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/comments/00142_death_of_ethanol_192221.php

Self-Digesting Plants? - Potential Key to Biofuel Production from Plant Biomass
http://howplantswork.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/self-digesting-plants-potential-key-to-biofuel-production-from-plant-biomass/

VeraSun files for Chapter 11 protection
http://www.biofuelreview.com/content/view/1765/1/

Judge approves VeraSun's rare bankruptcy financing
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0342766020081104

VeraSun Energy Corp. Receives Commitments For Up to $215 Million in Debtor-In-Possession Financing
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/VeraSun_Energy_Corp__Receives_Commitments_For_Up_to__215_Million_in_Debtor_In_Possession_Financing-65669.html

VeraSun Indefinitely Delays Startup of 110-MMGY Ethanol Plant in Janesville, MN
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/VeraSun_Indefinitely_Delays_Startup_of_110_MMGY_Ethanol_Plant_in_Janesville__MN_-65708.html

Avery Needs to Connect the Dots on Biotech’s Connection to Ethanol
http://www.ncga.com/news/OurView/2008/103108.asp

Money, research spur race for algae as fuel source
http://www.katu.com/news/tech/33729044.html

Florida’s My Dream Fuels aims to plant 900,000 jatropha trees
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/11/04/floridas-my-dream-fuels-aims-to-plant-900000-jatropha-trees/

RFA Comments on August Ethanol Production and Demand
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/RFA_Comments_on_August_Ethanol_Production_and_Demand-65684.html

Energy independence an old vow
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/11/02/20081102promises1102.html

Schwartznegger cancelled plans to call for Renewable Fuel Standard waiver at 11th hour
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/11/04/schwartznegger-cancelled-plans-to-call-for-renewable-fuel-standard-waiver-at-11th-hour/

Ethanol sourced carbon dioxide and the energy sector: a Biofuels Digest special report
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/11/03/ethanol-sourced-carbon-dioxide-and-the-energy-sector-a-biofuels-digest-special-report/

Fuel study also considers pheasants
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20081102/NEWS/811020338/1001

Cardinal Ethanol starts up (Indiana)
http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20081102/NEWS01/811020359

International News

Monsanto to buy Aly Participacoes for $290 million (Brazilian Ethanol Producer)
http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/11/03/daily6.html

ADM Forms Joint Venture With Grupo Cabrera to Construct Two Sugarcane Ethanol Processing Complexes
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/ADM_Forms_Joint_Venture_With_Grupo_Cabrera_to_Construct_Two_Sugarcane_Ethanol_Processing_Complexes-65704.html

Brazil Ethanol Mills Cancel 22% Of Equipment Orders
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=265593

Japanese shipping industry set up to handle biofuels sector
http://www.biofuelreview.com/content/view/1767/1/

Ethanol producers' unworthy heyday finally over
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081103.IBREGULY03/TPStory/Business

 Oil Creation Theory Challenged by Fuel-Making Fungus
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081104/sc_livescience/oilcreationtheorychallengedbyfuelmakingfungus

Scientists discover Patagonian diesel that grows on trees
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/nov/04/biofuel-plants-biochemistry-science

Mission NewEnergy Announces Bio-ethanol Breakthrough
http://www.missionbiofuels.com/uploads/Announcement-Ligno-cellulosic%20Ethanol-31108(final).pdf

PM refers bio-fuel policy to Pawar panel for a relook (India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/PM_refers_bio-fuel_policy_to_Pawar_panel_for_a_relook/articleshow/3666580.cms