News and Notes - July 8, 2008

Feature Article

Who Ate My Tortillas? -- The Truth About Food vs. Fuel
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-tickell/who-ate-my-tortillas----t_b_110827.html

This article presents a fairly balanced view of what is driving the price of food up, using the tortilla as an example. It drives home the point that corn and oil are dramatically linked in today’s society, thus affecting prices of a broad base of products. It also notes the impact corporations and speculators have on prices way before the product reaches the consumer. The article is drawn from a new documentary called “Fields of Fuel” to be released this fall.

US News

American Energy Policy, Asleep at the Spigot
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/business/06oil.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=business&adxnnlx=1215421579-JGS57z3GzLhVSc4ZRBZabw&oref=slogin

First Corn Based Ethanol Plant in Southeast Set To Open Soon (Georgia)
http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/24042874.html

Exxon and Chevron study new biofuels and shun food-based fuels
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/03/business/03bio.php

GIS tool available for potential Illinois plants
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2504

SequesCO combines CO2 sequestration with biofuel production
http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/07/07/sequesco-combines-co2-sequestration-biofuel-production

Corn prices reach into most supermarket aisles
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/55E080198236ED0486257464001109E3?OpenDocument

Legendary oilman Pickens promotes revamping U.S. power policy
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/070808dnbusPickens.3fb918a.html

Ethanol business' effect on food prices is overblown
http://www.ktka.com/news/2008/jul/07/kstate_ag_today_ethanol_business_effect_food_price/

Biodiesel producers receive $16M subsidy, mandates
http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/article.asp?aID=67088

Hulshof defends ethanol mandate; contends Steelman is aligned with Chavez (MO Governor’s race)
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2008/07/hulsho-defends-ethanol-mandate-contends-steelman-is-aligned-with-chavez/

Abandoned Farmlands Are Key to Sustainable Bioenergy
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52960

As soybean prices skyrocket, company finds new fuel sources (jatropha in Missouri)
http://www.farmandranchguide.com/articles/2008/07/03/ag_news/production_news/prods15.txt

Republican Buoyed By Calls For Energy Exploration
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-usa-energy-mcconnell.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=energy&st=nyt&oref=slogin

International News

$400 million UK wheat ethanol project on track despite British wobble on biofuels (BP and Dupont are involved)
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/07/08/400-million-uk-wheat-ethanol-project-on-track-despite-british-wobble-on-biofuels/

The Gallagher Review of the indirect effects of biofuels production now available (UK)
http://www.dft.gov.uk/rfa/_db/_documents/Report_of_the_Gallagher_review.pdf

Europeans Reconsider Biofuel Goal
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/08/business/worldbusiness/08fuel.html?_r=2&ref=business&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Oil @200 is hot topic at G8 summit
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Oil_200_is_hot_topic_at_G-8_Summit/rssarticleshow/3208459.cms

Ethanol industry strikes back at C.D. Howe (Canada)
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpposted/archive/2008/07/07/ethanol-industry-strikes-back-at-c-d-howe.aspx

Malaysia urges developing world to plant crops for food, not fuel
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/malaysia-urges-developing-world-to-plant/n20080708011109990005

News and Notes - July 7, 2008

Feature Article (Two today!)

In a comment that seems to deny all logic, the OPEC president blames ethanol for 40% of the crude-price rise. Khelil balmed the weak valuation of the dollar as the primary factor in prices (60%). A 1% decline in the value of the dollar adds $4 to the price of a barrel of crude. The low value of the dollar is widely accepted as one of the reasons the price of crude has skyrockted. However, is this same article, Khelil states that “bioenethanol alone” is responsible for the remainder of the price increase. No explanation for his theory was given. He also states that supply is sufficient and should not be changed “because the current rise in oil prices is in no one’s interest.” Seems like some of his statements defy logical thought processes everywhere.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/opec-president-blames-oil-prices/story.aspx?guid=%7BE003D4C9-0739-4868-8F69-D9C51BB53CB5%7D&dist=msr_1

In another article, an unpublished World Bank report blames biofuels for a 75% increase in the price of food worldwide. The report lists 3 ways that biofuels have affected the price of food. They are: “First, it has diverted grain away from food for fuel, with over a third of US corn now used to produce ethanol and about half of vegetable oils in the EU going towards the production of biodiesel. Second, farmers have been encouraged to set land aside for biofuel production. Third, it has sparked financial speculation in grains, driving prices up higher.” Speculation has also been pointed to as a reason for the increase in oil prices. Whether or not you agree with these impacts, some critics have pointed to flaws in the study. It fails to note environmental impacts, the price of petroleum in transporting good, and other items. Perhaps the World Bank will publish the report to allow for a full review.

Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis (World Bank Report blames biofuels for a 75% food price increase worldwide)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/03/biofuels.renewableenergy


UTBI-related News

Plant plans fuel anxiety
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/jul/06/plant-plans-fuel-anxiety/

US News

Nation needs relief from ethanol fiasco
http://www.al.com/opinion/press-register/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1215422165161530.xml&coll=3#continue

Brazilian sugar growers launch US print, radio, TV campaign for repeal of ethanol tariff
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/07/04/brazilian-sugar-growers-launch-us-print-radio-tv-campaign-for-repeal-of-ethanol-tariff/

Trade Coalition Urges Prez to Suspend Imported Ethanol Tariff
http://www.progressivegrocer.com/progressivegrocer/content_display/supermarket-industry-news/e3i62631bcd5430ac2bc5c924845823003e

Novozymes To Build US Ethanol Enzyme Facility
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52978

Ethanol Blends May Increase Auto Emissions; Other Industries May Pay a Price for De Facto Federal Fuel Mandate
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1458872/ethanol_blends_may_increase_auto_emissions_other_industries_may_pay/

Corn board: Nebraska’s corn acreage to meet ethanol demand
http://www.theindependent.com/news/x1470898866/Corn-board-Nebraska-s-corn-acreage-to-meet-ethanol-demand

U.S. and Europe Face Pressure on Biofuels
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/us-and-europe-face-pressure-on-biofuels/?hp

Pro Eco Energy halts its ethanol plan, closes doors (South Dakota)
http://www.bhpioneer.com/articles/2008/07/03/news/northern_hills/doc486d56808700d736097689.txt

S. Idaho ethanol plant faces possible fines (for odors)
http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=8617076

The power of corncobs
http://www.startribune.com/business/22942999.html?location_refer=Homepage:highlightModules:6

Governor Crist announces E85 Ethanol now on sale to the public along Florida Turnpike
http://www.flgov.com/release/10089

Kansas University team to test biodiesel
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jul/06/ku_team_test_biodiesel/

International News

Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis (World Bank Report blames biofuels for a 75% food price increase worldwide)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/03/biofuels.renewableenergy

OPEC president blames ethanol for crude-price rise
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/opec-president-blames-oil-prices/story.aspx?guid=%7BE003D4C9-0739-4868-8F69-D9C51BB53CB5%7D&dist=msr_1

Special report on India: Lalu backs jatropha
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/07/04/biofuels-digest-special-report-on-india-lalu-backs-jatropha/

Ethanol from food? Forget it. From wood waste, maybe
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/columnists/story.html?id=b0859493-28c0-4b54-8b43-c83097333799

2nd generation biofuels ranked eighth out of 18 climate change strategies by 1350 experts; 1st generation biofuels ranks last
http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/climate_panel2/detail.html

Petrobras, Conoco in ethanol cooperation deal
http://uk.reuters.com/article/rbssEnergyNews/idUKN0339213220080703

Brazil Petrobras, Mitsui To Invest In Ethanol Project
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=233959

New website highlights Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation biofuels activities
http://www.biofuels.apec.org/

News and Notes - July 3, 2008

*BioNews will not be published, Friday, July 4, 2008 in recognition of Independence Day*

Feature Article

Each day, I plan to feature an article that is interesting, pertinent, or otherwise important. I’ll give the title and link as well as a brief synopsis of the article. Since today is the last working day before the holiday, I thought I would feature a more humorous article.

Prince of Wales converts to waste oil biodiesel, wine ethanol
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Earth/Charles_runs_car_on_wine/articleshow/3187679.cms

What would James Bond think? Fueling an Aston Martin on wine? I believe he would have some concern about the wine being improperly used! Seriously, Prince Charles is taking the green movement to heart and is using both ethanol and biodiesel in his personal vehicles.

US News

ConocoPhillips Signs Research Agreement With Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels
http://www.conocophillips.com/newsroom/news_releases/2008news/07-01-2008.htm

Stop requiring ethanol production
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-ethanol3-2008jul03,0,537121.story

Ill-conceived rush to ethanol
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/451291

Poverty: 260m driven into hunger by push for biofuel – ActionAid
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/03/biofuels.food

EPA considers requests on easing ethanol rules
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/5868938.html

Perry-led group got $100,000 before waiver request (Donation related to Texas RFS Waiver request?)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5868748.html

Brazil launches campaign to remove ethanol tariff
http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=4389

U.S. urged to import, not make, ethanol
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080703/BUSINESS01/807030365/1030/BUSINESS01

UDSA Report: Corn Acreage Down 7%, Soybean Acreage up 17%
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/UDSA_Report__Corn_Acreage_Down_7___Soybean_Acreage_up_17_-59880.html

Emerging Cellulosic Ethanol Industry Could Prove to Be Boon for Forestry
http://www.palletenterprise.com/articledatabase/view.asp?articleID=2644

Biofuel Backtalk
http://www.agweb.com/get_article.aspx?pageid=144013

Energy policy is key issue in Minn. Senate race
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/22814554.html?location_refer=TV/DVD/Gaming

From Wood Waste to Renewable Energy: Western Report Shows Success and Obstacles
http://www.wflccenter.org/pressrelease_files/51_pdf_file.pdf

Power Plays: The latest on alternative-energy deals from Dow Jones Clean Technology Investor
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121432273275100205.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Pricey Chemicals Gleaned From Biodiesel Waste (Rice University research)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080630165704.htm

Valcent says lab results show up to 33,000 gallons per acre in algae production; harvesting, extraction, algae strain optimization research still ahead
http://www.valcent.net/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=290918&_Type=News-Releases&_Title=Valcents-Releases-Profitable-Initial-Production-Estimates-For-its-Vertical-...

Demonstration of Mechanized Harvesting & Bundling of Invasive Juniper
http://timberbuysell.com/Community/DisplayNews.asp?id=2830

Gas Stations Reject Ethanol Blends
http://www.koco.com/news/16774386/detail.html?rss=okl&psp=news

Promoting Ethanol Fuel Misguided; Environmental Benefits Uncertain and Costs High: C.D. Howe Institute
http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/080703/ethanol_fuel_costs.html?.v=1

Volney (NY) plant says it's close to making ethanol
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1215075570167270.xml&coll=1

Legislation to implement biodiesel standard dies in Missouri
http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2008/Jul08/063008/070208-07.htm

International News

Hydrated ethanol gasoline makes debut in southwestern Kunming City
http://www.interfax.cn/news/3578/

Latin American leaders agree to analyze biofuels issues
http://www.energycurrent.com/index.php?id=3&storyid=11591

Brazil's Dedini sells four ethanol plants to PDVSA (Venezuela)
http://www.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN0241104820080702

EU biofuel change could cut investment-French firm
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSL0268072820080702?sp=true

News and Notes - July 2, 2008

Special Note: News and Notes will be sent from a new email account beginning Monday, July 7, 2008. The new “sender” address will be bionews@utk.edu. Please add this address to your address book or approved sender list so that your spam filter does not block it. Thank you!

US News

USDA revises forecast for corn (and futures prices fall 10%)
http://www.nptelegraph.com/articles/2008/07/02/news/50000282.txt

Who can afford corn? Almost no one, Purdue economist says
http://www.county29.net/cms2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15714&Itemid=99999999

U.S. ethanol shares face uncertain future
http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN0129604920080701

The Ethanol Backlash
http://www.newsweek.com/id/32930

Crop's high price kills profit for ethanol plants
http://www.daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=423244

Nova Biosource Fuels advances Seneca biodiesel facility
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2506

Survey: 3 out of 4 Americans expect $5 per gallon gas by Labor Day, support sweeping energy/climate action
http://www.CleanEnergyAction.net/062608release.cfm

Ethanol producer VeraSun Energy gets new chairman
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/01/ap5171527.html

Range Fuels Appoints John Winter as Vice President of Process Engineering
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Range_Fuels_Appoints_John_Winter_as_Vice_President_of_Process_Engineering-59742.html

Steelman  (MO Gov. Candidate) calls for end to ethanol mandate
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/NEWS01/807020506

Rendell's Energy Plan Cut By $200 Million (PA)
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1457548/rendells_energy_plan_cut_by_200_million/

Flooded Rail Lines Drown Ethanol Routes  
http://cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=233555

How Ethanol Fuels the Food Crisis
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20080528faupdate87376/c-ford-runge-benjamin-senauer/how-ethanol-fuels-the-food-crisis.html

New Fuel Plan for Little Rock's City Vehicles
http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/news/?cid=79341

UMass studies alternative ethanol sources
http://www.masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-15/1214900207174281.xml&coll=1

International News

G-8 to seek widespread use of new biofuels from nonfood materials
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D91L3NI01&show_article=1

Global Ethanol & Biodiesel Outlook: 2008-2015 available (sign-up required)
http://www.globalbiofuelscenter.com/Spotlight.aspx?Id=32

UN reports big jump in `green energy' investment
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/01/ap5174239.html

Abengoa's misuse of our name is reprehensible
http://www.transportenvironment.org/News/2008/6/Abengoas-misuse-of-our-name-is-reprehensible/

Brazil fines 24 local ethanol producers for environmental crimes
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/01/business/LA-Brazil-Ethanol-Fines.php

Bio-fuel board to promote, monitor industry on cards (India)
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Policy/Bio-fuel_board_to_promote_monitor_industry_on_cards/articleshow/3182367.cms

News and Notes - July 1, 2008

US News

Promise of Biofuel Clouded by Weather Risks
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/business/01weather.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=business&adxnnlx=1214920420-QRVAgLPG30JcHRCK7PjfeA

GOP lawmakers want ethanol requirements reduced
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iybC7Vg-hYUTo1JObqHB1KvS0ZpwD91KJ3KO0

Syntec Hits a High of 110 GPT of Fuel Alcohols
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0411909.htm

Metro (Atlanta) ethanol sales accelerate slowly in test
http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/06/30/story13.html?jst=pn_pn_lk

West Biofuels, U.C. partner to make ethanol (CA Pilot Plant)
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080630/BUSINESSJOURNAL/437743617/1206/BUSINESS0110&title=West_Biofuels__U_C__partner_to_make_ethanol

World’s largest biodiesel fueling station and concept park, Willie’s Place, to open this week in Texas; Willie Nelson concerts, events planned
http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=213036

Scum Power (inlcudes interesting video on algae biofuels)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121432266999600187.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Renewable Energy Group®’s acquisition of U.S. Biodiesel Group complete
http://www.renewable-energy-group.com/pdfs/REG%20finalizes%20Houston,%20California%20acquisition.pdf

Research yields pricey chemicals from biodiesel waste
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/ru-ryp063008.php

Pioneering a new agricultural revolution
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/01/2290426.htm

Ethanol interest lags as corn prices rise
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/NEWS/80630022

Abandoned Farmlands Are Key to Sustainable Bioenergy
http://www.ciw.edu/news/abandoned_farmlands_are_key_sustainable_bioenergy

Restore wetlands, shift to prairie for energy crops
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080629/OPINION01/806290311/-1/NEWS04

Biofuels & Greenhouse Gas Emissions (New report available for purchase)
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/da2d0c/biofuels_greenho

International News

Shell Considers Investing In Brazilian Ethanol
http://cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=233252

Brazilians to buy Jamaica's sugar company, invest in ethanol
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/28/business/CB-FIN-Jamaica-Brazil-Ethanol.php

Brazil's Ethanol Consumption Grows In New States
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=233370

Gushan Environmental Energy Limited Opens Shanghai Biodiesel Plant
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/gushan-environmental-energy-limited-opens-shanghai-biodiesel-plant,452105.shtml

Bio-fuel board to promote, monitor industry on cards (India)
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Policy/Bio-fuel_board_to_promote_monitor_industry_on_cards/articleshow/3182367.cms

Prince Charles' car runs on wine
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/07/01/royal.wine/index.html