Ethanol Week - September 29, 2014

SD landowners propose new first generation ethanol plant Walt Wendland and Chris Schwarck are proposing to build a corn and milo ethanol plant in South Dakota. If the project becomes a reality it would join Dakota Spirit AgEnergy as the only corn ethanol plants in the U.S. to breakground since 2008. READ MORE SHARE
Proposed Southern Illinois ethanol plant under development A small town in southern Illinois has landed two grants totaling nearly $4 million for infrastructure projects to support a proposed ethanol plant. Project details on the proposed facility are expected to be released soon. READ MORE SHARE
	GranBio begins cellulosic ethanol production in Brazil GranBio has initiated production at the first commercial-scale plant for second-generation ethanol in the Southern Hemisphere. The Bioflex 1, unit built in Sao Miguel dos Campos, Alagoas, has an initial production capacity of 82 MMly (21.66 MMgy). READ MORE SHARE
Legislation would extend biofuel, bioenergy tax credits Legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 19 aims to enact two-year extensions for several clean energy tax incentives. The bill is titled the Bridge to a Clean Energy Future Act of 2014. READ MORE SHARE
EPA: 3.5 million cellulosic biogas RINs generated in August The U.S. EPA has published renewable identification number (RIN) data for August, reporting that nearly 3.5 million cellulosic RINs were generated during the month. More than 1.44 billion RINs were produced across all five biofuel categories. READ MORE SHARE
BIO: EPA inaction on RFS proposal has increased GHG emissions A new report published by the Biotechnology Industry Organization indicates U.S. EPA inaction on finalizing the 2014 renewable fuel standard has resulted in a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions. READ MORE SHARE
Search for better biofuels microbes leads to the human gut Scientists have scoured cow rumens and termite guts for microbes that can efficiently break down plant cell walls for the production of cellulosic biofuels, but some of the best microbial candidates actually may reside in the human lower intestine. READ MORE SHARE
NexSteppe raises $22 million in series C financing NexSteppe recently announced it has raised $22 million in its third round of funding. New investors Total Energy Ventures and ELFH Holding GmbH join existing investors Braemar Energy Ventures, CYM Ventures, DuPont Ventures and others. READ MORE SHARE
Coalition examines effective alternative fuel policies Local policies to promote alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are among the most effective, a recent study by the Clean Energy Coalition finds. The study compares the number of alternative fuel vehicles in each state to the types of policies. READ MORE SHARE
Economists analyze impact of ethanol mandates on E10, E85 prices Economists with Iowa State University's Center for Agricultural and Rural Development have published a new paper that estimates increased ethanol mandates under the renewable fuels standard (RFS) would have little impact on E10 prices. READ MORE SHARE
UNICA: Sugarcane mills continue to prioritize ethanol production UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association, has announced that Brazil's sugarcane mills are continuing to prioritize the production of ethanol over sugar. However, ethanol production is expected to be down 6.14 percent from last year. READ MORE SHARE
Clariant announces results of cellulosic E20 fleet test Clariant, Haltermann and Mercedes-Benz have tested E20 in a fleet test since January. Initial results prove the high quality and excellent properties of sunliquid 20 fuel, a fuel blend made with 20 percent cellulosic ethanol produced by Clariant. READ MORE SHARE
Proterro, Bunge plan pilot study of sucrose production process Proterro and Bunge Global Innovation LLC have announced a pilot study of Proterro's sucrose-production technology in Brazil. Two of Proterro's photobioreactors have been installed at Bunge's Moema Fazenda sugarcane mill as part of the project. READ MORE SHARE
Minnesota group adds stations offering higher ethanol blends Eighteen more retail gasoline stations will convert to Minnoco, a gasoline brand of the Minnesota Service Station & Convenience Store Association. The brand generally offers E15, E30, E85 and diesel, along with regular grades of gasoline. READ MORE SHARE
Universities shed light on latest bioenergy developments A group of university engineers and scientists is spreading the word about work being done in bioenergy and its potential to reduce climate impacts linked to fossil fuels while benefiting the economy, rural communities, and national security. READ MORE SHARE
Plant variants point the way to improved biofuel production Researchers funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council have discovered variant straw plants whose cell walls are more easily broken down to make biofuels. READ MORE SHARE
ADM's Peoria plant continues operations following minor fire A Peoria, Illinois-based ethanol plant owned by Archer Daniels Midland Co. is continuing operations after a minor fire was reported on Sept. 22. The incident occurred in an evaporator vessel that was down for repairs. READ MORE SHARE
Vecoplan opens technology center in Germany Vecoplan AG recently celebrated the grand opening of its new 17,000 square-foot technology center in Germany. The facility is equipped with more than 25 machines for the processing, recycling or repurposing of waste and biomass. READ MORE SHARE
Baltimore welcomes first E85 station Offering the first E85 in Baltimore, Three Brothers/A1 Auto Repair and Protec Fuel recently joined forces to launch a new E85 station to give more choice for the hundreds of thousands of flex-fuel vehicle drivers traveling in Baltimore, Maryland. READ MORE SHARE