Ethanol Week - December 31, 2012

Kansas ethanol plant poised to start up anaerobic digester soon Western Plains Energy LLC is preparing to start up an anaerobic digestion system. When full capacity is reached in March, the digesters will produce enough methane to completely refire the plant's thermal oxidizer and boiler. READ MORE SHARE
EIA releases ethanol stats for first nine months of 2012 In late December the U.S. Energy Information Administration released its latest monthly energy statistics. The most recent Fuel Ethanol Overview includes data gathered for the first nine months of 2012. READ MORE SHARE
	Research targets cells to reduce lignin, boost fermentable sugar Joint BioEnergy Institute researchers are exploring new ways to meet the challenge of recalcitrant cellulosic feedstocks and lower the cost of biofuels. They recently published two papers detailing their work to genetically modify xylan and lignin. READ MORE SHARE
Sorghum acres to grow due to drought tolerance, new varieties Sorghum is poised to come into its own as an alternative to corn. It proved its mettle in the 2012 drought, producing decent dryland yields with very little rainfall, and EPA's pathway approval for sorghum ethanol should open new markets. READ MORE SHARE
EPA Administrator Jackson announces resignation U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has announced she will resign following President Obama's State of the Union address, which is scheduled for Jan. 24. Jackson did not cite a reason for her departure. READ MORE SHARE
	Clemson, ArborGen testing poplars as bioenergy sources Researchers at Clemson University's Pee Dee Research and Education Center and ArborGen Inc. have collaborated to plant thousands of poplars at the Pee Dee center to determine if certain varieties of the tree are suitable for bioenergy stock. READ MORE SHARE
Direvo scales up BluZy-D, BluZy-P enzyme trials with ISU Germany-based enzyme developer Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH has announced the successful scale-up of its BluZy-D and BluZy-P enzymes in collaboration with researchers at Iowa State University. READ MORE SHARE
Forest Products Society journal publishes special biofuels issue Biofuels made from high-yield, short rotation woody crops or from forest residuals and thinnings that are currently left unused have substantial potential to reduce CO2 emissions as well as to contribute to energy independence. READ MORE SHARE
Cassava residue ethanol demo planned for Thailand The Japan-based New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization is launching a demonstration project in Thailand to produce ethanol from cassava residue obtained after starch extraction. READ MORE SHARE