News and Notes - Oct. 29, 2008

Feature Article

Lignol signs DOE cooperative agreement
http://www.energycurrent.com/index.php?id=3&storyid=13978

Lignol has formalized its $30 million agreement with DOE for its Colorado cellulosic ethanol facility.

US News

Scientist: California indirect land use policy bad for biofuels (Bruce Dale)
http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=4956

Protecting soils and producing biofuel with corn stover
http://bioenergy.checkbiotech.org/news/2008-10-29/Protecting_soils_and_producing_biofuel_with_corn_stover/

Is the Ethanol Industy Failing or Flourishing?
http://gas2.org/2008/10/28/is-the-ethanol-industy-failing-or-flourishing/

UIUC gets $2M for biofuel infrastructure study
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-uofi-biofuelsrese,0,3940462.story

Is the Ethanol Boom Over?
http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/news/01663_Is_the_Ethanol_Boom_Over_170801.php

Ethanol's Short-Term Bottom
http://seekingalpha.com/article/102620-ethanol-s-short-term-bottom

Company wants to plant, harvest plants for electricity in Osceola County (sorghum)
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/green/orl-power2908oct29,0,7346070.story

Ethanol production restarts in Linden (Verasun starts back up after odd shutdown)
http://www.jconline.com/article/20081029/BUSINESS/810290341

Wood Heat Solutions: Community Guide to Biomass Thermal Projects
http://ri.uoregon.edu/programs/CCE/biomass.html

Wheat an Important Part of Food vs. Fuel Debate as Producers Plant More Corn and Soybean Acres
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Wheat_an_Important_Part_of_Food_vs__Fuel_Debate_as_Producers_Plant_More_Corn_and_Soybean_Acres-65413.html

SMUD Purchases Biomass Energy from Iberdrola (Sacramento purchases 55 MW from Washington biomass cogen plant)
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17023

U.S. Representative Jay Inslee Calls Clean Energy "Our Generation's Legacy" at 2008 Algal Biomass Summit
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/us-representative-jay-inslee-calls/story.aspx?guid={2F99E3CC-841C-4EF7-A247-B6CC512B23D6}&dist=hppr

Auction of F&S Oil's biodiesel plant attracts just one bid
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1976767/

Officials say 23 arrested at ethanol plant
http://www.in-forum.com/ap/index.cfm?page=view&id=D943QMH01

GreenHunter Energy Inc. Acquires L & L Holdings LLC, Including Strategic Facilities and Deepwater Terminals Along Gulf Coast
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/GreenHunter_Energy_Inc__Acquires_L___L_Holdings_LLC__Including_Strategic_Facilities_and_Deepwater_Terminals_Along_Gulf_Coast-65412.html

Tri-Rail to fuel locomotives with biodiesel (FL)
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=18439

International News

Petrobras signs memoranda of understanding with Portuguese companies
http://www.edubourse.com/finance/actualites.php?actu=47199

Jatropha’s potential as biofuel crop still being researched
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/10/29/southneast/2370643&sec=southneast

New bio-ethanol sports car
http://www.newcarnet.co.uk/Auto_news.html?id=8585

News and Notes - Oct. 28, 2008

Feature Article

Ethanol Economics from Ranch to Restaurant
http://www.e85fuel.com/news/2008/102408/cfdc_white_paper100908.pdf

An interesting look at ethanol production, including corn and food prices.

UTBI-related News

UT chief isn't fazed by big budget cuts
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081026/OPINION03/810260405/1008/OPINION01

Blue Signs Help Motorists Go Green in Tennessee
http://www.biofuelwar.com/2008/10/blue-signs-help-motorists-go-green-in-tennesee/

US News

Xethanol exits cellulosic, moves into methane
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2734540020081028

Ag secretary: US must keep pushing new energy
http://www.examiner.com/a-1653411~Ag_secretary__US_must_keep_pushing_new_energy.html

New Method Turns Wood into Sugar for Biofuels
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53944

Auburn University to use PureVision biomass fractionation
http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2158

Sorghum could be a practical ethanol source
http://bioenergy.checkbiotech.org/news/2008-10-28/Sorghum_could_be_a_practical_ethanol_source/

Will hay be good source for biofuel in the future? Researchers urge thinking through nation’s rush to alternative fuels
http://newsok.com/will-hay-be-good-source-for-biofuel-in-the-future/article/3314903

Scientists ask EPA to delay indirect land use proposal
http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=4953

NCGA: No Good Science Yet on Assessing Possible Land Use Impacts of Biofuels
http://www.ncga.com/news/notd/2008/October/102808.asp

Gulf Ethanol Begins Commercial Design Phase for Biomass Preprocessor System
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Gulf_Ethanol_Begins_Commercial_Design_Phase_for_Biomass_Preprocessor_System-65307.html

Study Discredits Food-Fuel Linkage
http://www.imperialvalleynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3117&Itemid=1

VeraSun's future cloudy
http://www.thepaper24-7.com/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=22&ArticleID=18078&TM=9077.606

New Analysis Shows Ethanol Co-Products Dramatically Extend Corn Supplies
http://www.iowarfa.org/nr101408.php

USDA to Meet Dairy and Meat Companies Over Aid to Ethanol, Rural Companies
http://www.flex-news-food.com/pages/20022/Biofuel/Dairy/USDA/usda-meet-dairy-meat-companies-aid-ethanol-rural-companies.html

CO2 emissions booming, shifting east, researchers report
http://www.ornl.gov/info/press_releases/get_press_release.cfm?ReleaseNumber=mr20080924-00

State switching to 10 percent ethanol
http://www.sunjournal.com/story/288909-3/RiverValley/State_switching_to_10_percent_ethanol/

New Illinois Corn Growers Assn. Reports Show Modern Ethanol Industry Has Environmental and Economic Impact Superior to Gasoline
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/New_Illinois_Corn_Growers_Assn__Reports_Show_Modern_Ethanol_Industry_Has_Environmental_and_Economic_Impact_Superior_to_Gasoline-65312.html

S.D. senators urge more research on ethanol blends
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20081028/UPDATES/81028009/-1/DATAB

Biofuel flying will take off in three years, says Boeing
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/oct/27/biofuel-boeing-carbon-offsetting

POET CEO Jeff Broin: Ethanol Does Not Deserve Blame for High Food Prices
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/POET_CEO_Jeff_Broin__Ethanol_Does_Not_Deserve_Blame_for_High_Food_Prices-65295.html

CBOT Corn Review: Climbs On End-Users, US Stocks Support
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=263735

McCain is in Iowa. No One Bring Up Ethanol
http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/10/mccain-is-in-iowa-no-one-bring.html

Palin 2012, One For All And All For Ethanol
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/10/palin_2012_one_1.html

International News

Brazil ethanol, sugar sector sees hard times ahead
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7942116

Brazil should give farmers loans for ethanol growth: consultant
http://www.petroleumworld.com/story08102809.htm

French ethanol makers welcome reduction of tax hike
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7919297

CJP plans for 5 trillion biodiesel tree plantation (jatropha in India)
http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=140073&Itemid=31

$174m bio-diesel project in pipeline  (Fiji)
http://www.fijilive.com/news_new/index.php/news/show_news/10010

News and Notes - Oct. 24, 2008

Feature Article

New ethanol plant at the ready line (Obion, TN corn plant coming online)
http://www.nwtntoday.com/news.php?viewStory=18319

Ethanol Grain Processors of Obion, TN is preparing to begin ethanol production at the $170 million plant. When operating at capacity, the plant will grind 100,000 bushels a day to produce 100,000,000 gallons of ethanol each year.

US News

Americans Increasingly Concerned about Food Prices, U.S. Ethanol Policy, According to The 2008 Hormel Hunger Survey
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Americans-Increasingly-Concerned-about-Food/story.aspx?guid=%7BA8B79175-29DA-4035-9894-5467D8593C86%7D

Ethanol no longer seen as big driver of food price
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7914436

Ethanol group's PBS protest may reveal industry panic
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/chi-fri-greising-ethanol-oct24,0,7054199.column

A New OPEC for (Natural) Gas?
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/energywire/2008/10/a_new_opec_for_gas.html

Leading Advanced Biofuel Companies, Researchers, Investors Call on Air Resources Board to Reconsider Draft Low Carbon Fuel Regulations (CA)
http://sev.prnewswire.com/oil-energy/20081023/LATH53623102008-1.html

POET Opens Marion, Ohio Biorefinery
http://www.poetenergy.com/news/showRelease.asp?id=139

Santee Cooper & Allied Waste Generating 3.2 MW of Bioenergy
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53906

Ethanol support irks cattle groups
http://www.kansas.com/business/agriculture/story/571449.html

Pennsylvania experiences delay with B2 mandate
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2893

Making The Switch
http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=4868&q=&page=1

Surprise: Government Mandates Behind Ethanol ‘Bubble’
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/nathan-burchfiel/2008/10/23/surprise-government-mandates-behind-ethanol-bubble

Camelina crush plant to go on line this month
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2895

Biofuel investors hot for pond scum
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/23/algae/

Make Your Own Ethanol for $1 Per Gallon with New Microfueler From E-Fuel Corp
http://www.naturalnews.com/024561.html

'Algae Can Be the Solution' States Vinod Khosla at 2008 Algae Biomass Summit
http://www.biobasednews.com/node/18769

International News

Lignol and Suncor Sign Cellulosic Ethanol Project Development Agreement
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/energy/lignol-suncor-sign-cellulosic-ethanol-project-development-agreement-1454515117/

French ethanol makers welcome reduction of tax hike
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7919297

Biofuels in the Americas: Driving Farmers off Their Lands
http://us.oneworld.net/article/358142-biofuels-driving-farmers-off-their-land

Biofuel additive makes pigs fly (Austrailia)
http://www.independentweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/biofuel-additive-makes-pigs-fly/1342898.aspx

DSM launches U.S. Department of Energy-funded research initiative for second generation biofuels (Netherlands)
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/dsm-launches-us-department-energy-funded/story.aspx?guid=%7B63044F6C-B83A-4F31-984A-F6EF5172E1B4%7D&dist=hppr

Algae Biofuels Challenge (UK)
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/technology/directedresearch/algae.htm

News and Notes - Oct. 23, 2008

Feature Article

Ethanol Subsidies: Are They A Plus Or A Minus?
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=261984

Study shows that ethanol subsidies actually save the US Government money, reducing the amount spent on farm program payments and the market disruption those payments may cause.


US News

Increase in percentage of ethanol promoted
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1208&u_sid=10466878

"Superenzymes" Could Streamline Biofuels Refining
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/081022.htm

Abengoa shuts down temporarily
http://bioenergy.checkbiotech.org/news/2008-10-23/Abengoa_shuts_down_temporarily/

Reaping new energy – Firm to sell biofuel seeds to farmers (Ceres)
http://pacbiztimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=382&Itemid=1

POET Employees Call on Presidential Candidates to Support American Ethanol
http://www.poet.com/news/showRelease.asp?id=138

Digesting The Termite Digestome: A Way To Make Biofuels?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081021190648.htm

Switchgrass: A Bioplastic Factory
http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2142

FUEL starts up Georgia ethanol plant
http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=4933

Which grass is greener? Project identifies Northeast grasses that will fuel bioenergy era
http://bioenergy.checkbiotech.org/news/2008-10-23/Which_grass_is_greener_Project_identifies_Northeast_grasses_that_will_fuel_bioenergy_era/

New plant comes on line amid hard times for ethanol
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081023/BUSINESS/810230397/-1/ENT05

GreenHunter Biofuels LLC Acquires Lease Option for 22 Waterfront Acres in Port Sutton, FL for Biofuels Terminal and Biodiesel Plant
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/GreenHunter_Biofuels_LLC_Acquires_Lease_Option_for_22_Waterfront_Acres_in_Port_Sutton__FL_for_Biofuels_Terminal_and_Biodiesel_Plant__-65046.html

Strategies For Successful Biomass Removal From Forests
http://www.timberbuysell.com/Community/DisplayNews.asp?id=3637

Sandia gets $600,000 for biofuels project
http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2008/10/20/daily23.html

Michigan Utility and MTU Join Forces To Study Biomass-powered Electricity
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53915

Ethanol Transportation Update: Supply, Demand, and Rail Transportation Continue to Expand
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Ethanol_Transportation_Update__Supply__Demand__and_Rail_Transportation_Continue_to_Expand-65100.html

Cong. Flake blasts proposed ethanol bailout
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/10/20/daily45.html

Livestock, meat groups say aid for ethanol producers is unfair
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081023/BUSINESS01/810230396/1030/

Gulf Coast Energy to Survey Grayville, IL Site for Potential Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
http://www.carmitimes.com/news/x1261534663/Biofuels-firm-interested-in-former-prison-site

USGC: DDGS Are Equal in Performance and Lower in Cost
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/USGC__DDGS_Are_Equal_in_Performance_and_Lower_in_Cost_-65114.html

Wood Biomass Market Realities Explode Waste Wood Myth
http://www.timberbuysell.com/Community/DisplayNews.asp?id=3638

USGC: Mexico Likely To Remain Top DDGS Buyer
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=262321

Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST) Position On Use of Woody Biomass for Bioenergy
http://www.swst.org/PDF%20Files/WoodyBiomassBioEnergyPosition.pdf

International News

Government looks at jump-starting biofuel (South Africa)
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=&fArticleId=4673198

German govt cuts 2009 biofuels blending target
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE49L2GW20081022

News and Notes - Oct. 22, 2008

UTBI-Related News

UT, Genera Energy, and Dupont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol break ground on pilot cellulosic biorefinery
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/oct/15/building-begins-at-biofuel-refinery/
http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=9176674&nav=menu7_2
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=66606&catid=2&GID=VezJarCy82I2RsGvHZNOASzGZQU0nSjxQzE1Nj6TUmw%3D
http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20081015/NEWS/310159972
http://advocateanddemocrat.com/story/15681
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_137094.asp
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/DuPont_Celebrates_Groundbreaking_at_DuPont_Danisco_Cellulosic_Ethanol_LLC_Pilot_Plant_in_Vonore__TN-64627.html
http://www.newsbull.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=70087&pollresults=1 (Lamar Alexander comments)
http://support.tnanytime.org/node/402
http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/30994234.html
http://www.azom.com/news.asp?newsID=14114
http://www.agweb.com/FarmJournal/Article.aspx?src=farmjournal&sigcat=farmjournal&id=146413
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/Publish/520381/Forward_520381_587626.htm

DuPont Accent herbicide to protect switchgrass in Tennessee
http://deltafarmpress.com/biofuels/accent-herbicide-1016/

Presidential race: Energy, environment key on both sides
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/oct/21/energy-environment-key-on-both-sides/

US News

University of Florida opens ethanol-fuel production plant
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/local/newsletter/orl-biznews-ethanol101408,0,7255288.story

Iowa’s Ethanol Plants Create 15 Percent of its Emissions
http://gas2.org/2008/10/21/iowas-ethanol-plants-create-15-percent-of-its-emissions/

Alternative Energy Suddenly Faces Headwinds
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/business/21energy.html?_r=1&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1224684196-mxa3cki/llSiv9oV4/R1DA)

Credit crunch boost for US Combined Heat and Power
http://www.cospp.com/display_article/341780/122/ARTCL/none/NEWS/1/Credit-crunch-boost-for-US-CHP/?dcmp=COSPP_NEWS

Wood as a power source may be making comeback
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/10/09/wood_as_a_power_source_may_be_making_comeback_1223527063/

Biofuel Makers Push to Boost the Amount of Ethanol Allowed in Gasoline to 20 Percent
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/10/17/biofuel-makers-push-to-boost-the-amount-of-ethanol-allowed-in-gasoline-to-20-percent.html

Clemson University to build cellulosic pilot plant
http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2113

Shell quadruples renewable energy project spending
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6061497.html

U.S. slow on goals for more, greener biofuel
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27222314/

In Pictures: Eight Promising Alternative Energy Companies
http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/09/walmart-exxon-energy_leadership_clayton_in_mm_1009claytonchristensen_inl_slide_8.html?thisSpeed=15000

Clean Energy from Biomass Shows Promise (MI)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545459/?sc=swhr;xy=5047780

As oil prices fall, push for alternatives may ease
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27271928/from/ET/

Cobalt Biofuels Raises $25 Million to Commercialize Next Generation Biofuel — Biobutanol
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/cobalt-biofuels-raises-25-million/story.aspx?guid=%7BA7445DBE-2175-4F6E-9E32-9AE7989820BD%7D&dist=hppr

Fiscal hawks say no new US aid to ethanol makers
http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2132525620081021

MIT recommends steps to slash gasoline use by 2035
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/cars2035-0805.html

Can E. Coli Help Make Biofuel Production More Efficient?
http://gas2.org/2008/10/20/can-e-coli-help-make-biofuel-production-more-efficient/

Coskata to Sell Ethanol Product in China
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122449786998649719.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

USGC: U.S. Ethanol Production Grows, Increasing Supply Of Livestock Feed
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=261796

Brasher: Biofuel rules could chill future projects
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081019/BUSINESS01/810190324/-1/BUSINESS04

Alternative Energy: New Sugarcanes To Deliver One-Two Energy Punch
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081013194043.htm

Obama to Declare Carbon Dioxide Dangerous Pollutant
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=alHWVvGnkcd4&refer=canada#

GreenFuel Tech opens algae-growing greenhouse
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10070678-54.html

Residents decry MPCA info on proposed ethanol plant (MN)
http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=367354

International News

China to Miss its 2010 Ethanol Target
http://ecoworldly.com/2008/10/22/china-to-miss-its-2010-ethanol-target/

Nandan to increase jatropha cultivation (800,000 hectares)
http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=337978

Clear policy lines required for biofuel markets: Browne
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24522806-5018001,00.html

India’s economic strength is good news for biofuels, a Biofuels Digest special report
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/10/21/india’s-economic-strength-is-good-news-for-biofuels-a-biofuels-digest-special-report/

MILENA Green Gas
http://www.ecn.nl/en/bkm/news/milena-groen-gas