Ethanol

January 25, 2009 -- UPTON, NY — A team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Delaware and Yeshiva University, has developed a new catalyst that could make ethanol-powered fuel cells feasible.

Model of a ternary electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation: Model of a ternary electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation consisting of platinum-rhodium clusters on a surface of tin dioxide. This catalyst can split the carbon-carbon bond and oxidize ethanol to carbon dioxide within fuel cells.    » read more »

Funding for Wood-chip Plant Paves Way for Next Generation of Biofuels

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced today that USDA Rural Development has approved the first ever loan guarantee to a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant. The $80 million loan to Range Fuels Inc., Soperton, Ga., comes from the Section 9003 Biorefinery Assistance Program authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.    » read more »

August 8, 2008 -- TRENTON – New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine today expressed disappointment over the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s refusal to lower the nationwide Renewable Fuels Standard that calls for the production of nine billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel this year and an even greater quantity during 2009.

“Corn belongs on the tables of our hard-working families, not in the gas tank,” Governor Corzine said. “The EPA’s decision is regrettable because food-to-fuel mandates drive up food prices and may do more to harm the environment than good.”    » read more »

Construction set for four State E-85 facilities across Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August, 2008) – Just weeks after announcing plans to transition 500 MTA buses to hybrid, and days following the award of the highest grade ever for environmental initiatives from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, Governor O’Malley was joined by Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and administration officials to present roadmap for a more sustainable transportation fuel system in Maryland, beginning with the construction of four new E-85 fuel pumps throughout Maryland.

To promote Maryland’s energy independence, Governor O’Malley outlined a plan that will combine consumer education, new technologies, and the development of an infrastructure such as the new facilities announced today.    » read more »

Urges Comprehensive Energy Solution to Combat Growing Costs

August 4, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Concerned about steep increases in commodity prices, on July 18th, Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and John Warner (R-VA) sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of a temporary waiver of the federal ethanol mandate. This waiver is intended to help Virginia’s agricultural community, including poultry, dairy and livestock producers, and consumers who have been hit hard by a dramatic rise in feed costs as a result of increased usage of corn-based ethanol.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY – In a letter to area representatives today, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt noted it is in Missouri’s best interest to leave in place the state’s E-10 standard in the Kansas City area. The renewable fuel standard, which requires most gasoline sold to contain at least 10 percent ethanol, boasts advantages for both the environment and Missourians’ pocketbooks.

“We have reviewed the request for a waiver of the E-10 standard in the Kansas City area,” Gov. Blunt said. “After thorough consideration of all aspects of this waiver request, I have decided it is in the best interest of the state to not issue the waiver.”    » read more »

June 10, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement following the Senate's votes on the Consumer First Energy Act (S. 3044) and the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act (H.R. 6049). Both measures were blocked today.

Wind turbine: Photo by Vik Walker (CC)    » read more »

Lab Contributes Scientific Foundation for Making Biofuel from Non-Food Sources

May 2008 -- Collaborative scientific research between the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and DuPont will be put to use to develop and commercialize technology to produce cellulosic ethanol from non-food sources.

Tractor cornfield

DuPont and its partner Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, have announced that they will invest $140 million initially to integrate the pretreatment process and fermenting organism developed with NREL and enzyme technologies developed by Genencor in a joint venture to convert corn stover and sugar cane bagasse to ethanol.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- DES MOINES – Today at the State Capitol, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed legislation to expand infrastructure and access to Iowa renewable fuels.

House File 2689 makes changes to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program that was created in 2006 to expand renewable fuel infrastructure and access to renewable fuels all across Iowa. Specifically, this legislation makes the following key changes to the 2006 program:

* Renewable fuels infrastructure funding is expanded to include blender pumps (pumps that blend ethanol at difference percentages than E-10 or E85);    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today submitted written testimony to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee urging Congress and the President to lift an import tariff on ethanol and temporarily waive the federal Renewable Fuel Standards to ease the vise-like pressures of spiraling gasoline and food prices.

“Connecticut families and businesses are getting bruised by the soaring cost of everyday necessities like gas and groceries,” Governor Rell said. “One major factor in this unhappy duet is the price of corn – demand for the crop as a source of ethanol is competing fiercely with demand for corn as food, additives in products such as soft drinks and animal feed.    » read more »

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Calls for Evaluation of Rising Food Prices, Expansion of New Feedstocks

May 5, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should uphold the ethanol standards passed by the energy bill with an expansion of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) to 36 billion gallons by 2022. Earlier today, 23 Senate Republicans urged the agency to halt ethanol production expansion.    » read more »

Requests Federal RFS Mandate Waiver

Apr. 25, 2008 -- AUSTIN – Seeking immediate relief from skyrocketing food costs, Texas Governor Rick Perry today asked the federal government for a 50 percent waiver from the federal renewable fuel standard (RFS) mandate for ethanol produced from grain.

Combine harvester: Photo by lapstrake (CC)    » read more »

Standard Estimated to Save Missourians $285 Million in Gas Costs

April 21, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today highlighted a study that shows Missouri’s 10 percent ethanol standard (E-10) is helping Missouri drivers save nearly 10 cents per gallon when they fill up their vehicles at Missouri gas stations.

Ethanol E-10: Photo by Jeff Maki (CC)    » read more »

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MARCH 31, 2008 -- An emergency responder from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources was called to the scene of the intentional dumping of an estimated 500 gallons of ethanol in Howell County north of Willow Springs Saturday.

The department's Environmental Emergency Response section was contacted Saturday afternoon by the Missouri State Highway Patrol concerning the dumping of ethanol into a road ditch on Highway 60 two miles north of Willow Springs just south of the Texas County line. The highway patrol reported that trooper pulled up to the truck as the driver, who was concerned that his truck was overweight, was in the process of pumping the ethanol into the ditch.    » read more »

March 11, 2008 -- [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a meeting with representatives from the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) to discuss the Farm Bill and the Energy Bill.

“Illinois farm land is among the most productive in the world. I am looking forward to passing a Farm Bill that will maximize its potential and ensure we have the infrastructure to bring our agricultural products to market,” said Durbin.    » read more »