POET produces cellulosic ethanol from corn cobs

POET produces cellulosic ethanol from corn cobs: "Cobs and fiber to be feedstock for commercial cellulosic production facility constructed in joint effort with U.S. Department of Energy
Press Release from Poet
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (June 27, 2007) "

DOE Invests $375 M to Three Bioenergy Research Centers

DOE Invests $375 M to Three Bioenergy Research Centers:
Renewable Energy Access -- June 26, 2006
"Federal U.S. funds will cover the centers for the first five years of operation."

The Problem's Not Peak Oil, It's Politics

Petroleum supplies are likely to be restricted by government actions around the globe, causing a peak in production long before it would happen due to geologic limitations. -- Jeff Goettemoeller
The Problem's Not Peak Oil, It's Politics:
By Stanley Reed -- Business Week -- June 28, 2007
"Go-it-alone governments are choking back output to perilous levels"

New American Biofuels Council Founded

Wisconsin Ag Connection - National/World News - New American Biofuels Council Founded : "In a major initiative to build a grassroots communications network for the advancement of biofuels adoption, a new national association called The American Biofuels Council has been formed. ABC's mission is to advance the uses of alternative fuels and other products derived from biomass derivatives, by promoting research, development and education on the use of biofuels."

Biodiesel From Algae

Popular Science looks at the prospects for biodiesel from algae, a route that could expand production tremendously. -- Jeff Goettemoeller
The Greenest Green Fuel - Popular Science:
by Elizabeth Svoboda -- July 2007
"Looking for a clean fuel that grows anywhere, needs only sunlight and water, and could produce enough oil to free the U.S. from its petroleum addiction? Here’s one start-up’s plan for converting oil from algae—yes, algae "

Fruit-based fuel could beat out corn-based rival

It wouldn't be very soon, but DMF is one of the many options that could become an important part of the energy solution. -- Jeff G.
Fruit-based fuel could beat out corn-based rival Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:
June 23, 2007 -- By Rick Barrett
"University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers said last week they have found a better way of converting fructose, a common sugar, into a fuel called 2,5-dimethylfuran, or DMF."

Kansas prairies could produce biofuel and more

The Hutchinson News, Hutchinson, Kan., Regional News: "'Multi-use systems are possible,' Jackson said. 'Biofuels are potentially compatible with livestock, honey, wildlife - both game and nongame - conservation and wind farms.'"

Ethanol group blames oil prices for costly U.S. food

Ethanol group blames oil prices for costly U.S. food - Jun. 14, 2007: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Blame surging oil and gasoline prices for driving up the cost of U.S. groceries, the ethanol industry said Thursday, defending itself from charges that the corn price spike was making food more expensive."

Give Ethanol a Chance: the case for corn-based fuel

Biofuels News (Green Portal):
June 13, 2007 -- by David Morris
"In the last few years, the environmental community has begun attacking corn-derived ethanol. Although imperfect, there are reasons to give ethanol a fair trial."

Gulf Ethanol Targets Sorghum for Cellulosic Ethanol

By exploiting both the sugar content of sorghum stems and the cellulosic material, sorghum could deliver greater ethanol yields per acre than corn kernels do. -- Jeff Goettemoeller
Gulf Ethanol Targets Sorghum for Cellulosic Ethanol:
"Houston, TX -- Gulf Ethanol Corp. (OTC:GFET), a Houston-based ethanol company, announced June 13 the launch of its advanced initiative to develop alternative fuel stock for the production of Ethanol. "

Ethanol Byproduct Could Play Role in Fighting World Hunger

The "DG" referred to below is distiller's grain, a by-product left after ethanol production from corn. Most of the important nutrients are in the DG. Ethanol is made from the starch portion of corn kernels. Starch is usually not in short supply for diets around the world. -- Jeffrey Goettemoeller
Ethanol Producers & Consumers breaking news:
October 9, 2007
"DG can enhance our food. We can add protein and fiber to our regular foods with the inclusion of DG as an ingredient in those foods. Think of kids and the junk foods they devour. We can enhance pizza crusts, bread sticks, cereals and chips. Think of older people and their nutritional needs. We could include DG in the Meals on Wheels program. Sprinkle DG on the foods we regularly eat to add protein and/or fiber. Think of overseas programs. We send our whole grains to poor countries. Yet, missionaries return home and tell us they do not have a means of preparing whole grains. They need the protein and vitamins, and already have many forms of starch. So, why not keep the starch here in the U.S. and turn it into the fuel we need in this country, and send them the nutritional parts of the grain. Make the DG into a food bar, which can be easily transported, distributed and eaten. Just imagine the savings in transportation costs. Find a way to add the DG to their traditional foods."

Cellulosic Ethanol in South Dakota?

The Rapid City Journal
by Kevin Woster

ScienceDaily: Extreme Environment Biology Research May Help Solve Lignocellulosic Ethanol Puzzle

ScienceDaily: Extreme Environment Biology Research May Help Solve Lignocellulosic Ethanol Puzzle
June 13, 2007 -- Sandia National Laboratories

China mulls banning food in ethanol fuel

China mulls banning food in ethanol fuel | Huliq: Breaking News

Vinod Khosla: Betting Big On Green

Vinod Khosla: Betting Big On Green - Newsweek: International Editions - MSNBC.com
June 18, 2007 -- By Barrett Sheridan

Is Ethanol Responsible for Higher Food Prices?

Press reports periodically blame ethanol for higher food prices, but the facts don't support the assumption that corn prices have a significant impact on food prices. Other factors such as labor and transportation costs play a bigger role in food prices today. -- Jeffrey Goettemoeller
Reusable fuels: Good goal, good policy�-�Commentary�-�The Washington Times, America's Newspaper:
by Ken McCauley -- June 10, 2007
"...the value of all raw food ingredients (including grains) accounts for less than 20 cents of each dollar an American consumer spends on food. Even at $4 per bushel, the amount of corn represented in a pound of pork comes out to about 17 cents."

Prairie Cordgrass for Cellulosic Ethanol on the Northern Plains

On the northern plains, cordgrass may yield the best for cellulosic ethanol, while other regions will do better with switchgrass or miscanthus. Cropping systems and crop selections need to be developed for every different region of north America. The potential is huge for cellulosic ethanol if we optimize it in this way. -- Jeffrey Goettemoeller
Newswise Science News | Prairie Cordgrass for Cellulosic Ethanol Production:
June 8, 2007 -- South Dakota State University
"Even unimproved genotypes of prairie cordgrass have produced nearly 10 tons of dry matter in SDSU forage breeder Arvid Boe's experimental trials in recent years. That is roughly twice as much as the best switchgrass will produce in South Dakota."

Still Too Cheap

News-Leader.com | Brian Lewis:
June 9, 2007 -- Brian Lewis
"But as we move towards energy independence, we're likely going to find that cheap energy will be a thing of the past. That's good. We get ripped off when we don't know the value of what we're buying. If we don't value something we just throw it away."

Missouri GA Passes Easy Connection Act for Renewable Energy

Missouri GA Passes Easy Connection Act for Renewable Energy :
June 1, 2007 -- RenewableEnergyAccess.com
"The Missouri General Assembly's passage of the Easy Connection Act (ECA) establishes uniform procedures to allow Missourians to connect a small renewable energy system to the electric grid in a quick, safe, and reliable manner."

Companies plan to make cellulosic ethanol by pyrolysis

BioCentric Energy and Core Venture Announce Joint Venture Agreement With Sustainable Power Corp:
(MARKET WIRE) -- 06/04/07 -- BCEI/Core announces today the signing of a Joint Venture Agreement with Sustainable Power Corp. (PINKSHEETS: SSTP) to capitalize on their unique Rivera Process of Hydrolysis/Pyrolysis which delivers Cellulosic Ethanol. The first negotiated facilities to deliver this revolutionary solution are in Mason City, Iowa with a projected completion date of first phase by October 15, 2007 and Caruthersville, Missouri with a projected completion date of June 1, 2008."

Mascoma Corporation Adds Former Senator Tom Daschle to Board of Directors

Mascoma Corporation Adds Former Senator Tom Daschle to Board of Directors:
June 4, 2007
"CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mascoma Corporation, a leader in cellulosic biomass-to-biofuels development and production, today announced former United States Senator Tom Daschle has joined the company’s Board of Directors."

Chevron Invests in Cellulosic Ethanol Research

Autopia - Wired Blogs:
"The energy company is teaming up with universities across the country to develop biofuels that will supplement the dwindling supplies of oil."