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UN climate change conference to be driven by ethanolA cooperative group of international companies focused on the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol plans to provide wheat straw-derived E85 for use in vehicles at the December United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen. Inbicon A/S, a cellulosic ethanol technology developer, is currently constructing a demonstration-scale production facility Kalundborg, Denmark. The plant is expected to be operational by the December UN meeting and will host participants to a tour of the facility.READ MORE Dow, Algenol plan to build pilot algae-to-ethanol biorefineryThe Dow Chemical Co. and Algenol Biofuels Inc. announced June 29 that they plan to build and operate a pilot-scale algae-based integrated biorefinery on 24-acres at Dow's Freeport, Texas, site that will convert carbon dioxide into ethanol. Using carbon dioxide, salt water, sunlight and non-arable land, Algenol Biofuel's technology produces ethanol. According to Algenol Biofuels, the first of its kind pilot-scale technology biorefinery has the potential to produce more than 100,000 gallons of ethanol per year.READ MORE Deadly train accident continues to be investigatedThe deadly Canadian National train derailment involving 14 tank cars loaded with denatured ethanol continues to be under investigation. On June 19, a 114-car CN train traveling east from Freeport, Ill., to Chicago reportedly hydroplaned, causing 14 of its cars to derail. Each of the 14 cars was loaded with approximately 30,000 gallons of denatured ethanol. Twelve of the cars caught fire and it is believed that most of the 360,000 gallons of ethanol in those cars were consumed in the fire.READ MORE Canadian demand for US DDGS continues to growApproximately 31,500 metric tons of U.S. distillers' dried grains with soluble (DDGS), in 350 rail cars, were purchased on June 17 by Canada's largest distillers grains importer, Rycom Trading Ltd. Western Canada's main feed source is barley, however, lower moisture levels in western Saskatchewan and eastern Alberta have resulted in poor crop conditions.READ MORE Energy Secretary Chu stresses need to combat climate changeU.S. DOE Secretary of Energy Steven Chu traveled to North Dakota July 1 to announce a local power plant has been selected to receive up to $100 million in Stimulus Package funding to incorporate advanced carbon capture and sequestration technologies.
At the press event, which took place at Bismarck State College's National Energy Center for Excellence, Chu used the opportunity to provide attendees with an update on climate change and the DOE's programs that are designed to combat it.READ MORE Industry: USDA crop report proves farmers can meet food and fuel needsDespite projections for near-record corn and record soybean plantings in 2009, total U.S. principal crop acreage declined by 4 million acres, or 1.2 percent, from 2008 levels, according to a USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service crop acreage report released June 30. According to the report, 2009 corn acreage is estimated at 87 million acres, up 1 percent from last year but 7 percent below 2007.READ MORE EPA extends RFS2 comment periodIn response to several requests presented to the U.S. EPA, the agency has decided to extend the comment period by 60 days on its proposed rule for the implementation of the second stage of the renewable fuel standard (RFS2). The comment period, originally scheduled to end July 27, will now end on Sept. 25. The EPA determined that an extension of 60 days would allow adequate time for the public to provide meaningful comment on the proposal and will also allow the agency the time it needs to implement new standards in a timely manner.READ MORE Mansfield Oil acquires C&N CompaniesMansfield Oil Co. announced July 1 that it is acquiring C&N Companies, a leading ethanol marketer that represents 500 million gallons of ethanol production and 150 million gallons of biodiesel production capacity. Doug Haugh, who is executive vice president and chief information officer for Mansfield Oil, is leading the transition team. "It's a substantial investment on our part in the renewable fuels and ethanol business," he said.READ MORE |
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