http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/biofuels/ en-us Sun, 31 May 2009 01:04:51 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2261426/posts Another bold Locke/Gregoire move. Set a high goal, then miss it by a mile. Then say... What do they say? Governor Locke set the goal of the state's fleet of vehicles using 20% biodiesel by June 1, 2009. No single agency will meet that goal, let alone the total fleet. They got to 2.1%. Hey, that's over 10% of their goal! A subsequent law, HB2424, signed by Chris Gregoire in 2006 has no penalties for noncompliance. This is the government! Penalties are for citizens and private industry. What does Chris Gregoire say now? "I don't want to lose the momentum... Sound Politics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2261426/posts#comment Sun, 31 May 2009 01:04:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2249894/posts President Obama's plan to move quickly to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources relies on technology that analysts agree is neither affordable nor available on a commercial scale and won't be for many years to come. Expensive, small-scale pilot projects are under way that convert vegetation into fuel for cars and capture carbon dioxide before it is released into the air from coal-burning power plants. But these prototypes have not been proved at levels that would make even a dent in the U.S. appetite for fossil fuels, casting doubt on the viability of the president's plans. Still, the administration... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2249894/posts#comment Wed, 13 May 2009 11:33:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2246924/posts THE Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to make an important and far-reaching decision this year that will affect more than 500 million gasoline engines powering everything from large pickups to family cars to lawn mowers: whether to grant the ethanol industry’s request to raise the maximum amount of ethanol that can be added to gasoline. ... Specifically, ethanol producers are asking that the maximum ethanol content in the most common blend of gasoline be increased from 10 percent — a limit set about three decades ago — to as much as 15 percent. The blend the industry hopes will become... New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2246924/posts#comment Fri, 8 May 2009 14:49:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2232958/posts Earlier in the decade, biofuels were hailed as the energy panacea, the silver bullet to solve oil shortages and abide by environmental concerns. The European Union recently took the lead in imposing the use of these liquid or gaseous fuels made from plants. But the green credentials of biofuels have since been disputed. The total amount of energy needed to transform biomass into ‘‘green’’ fuels offsets most of the energy biofuels save when the entire process or life-cycle is considered. Soils must be fertilised. American corn and soybeans, French sugar beet, Brazilian sugar cane or peanuts from Benin must undergo... IPS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2232958/posts#comment Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:30:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2232116/posts In September, ethanol giant VeraSun Energy opened a refinery on the outskirts of this eastern Iowa community. Among the largest biofuels facilities in the country, the Dyersville plant could process 39 million bushels of corn and produce 110 million gallons of ethanol annually. VeraSun boasted the plant could run 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet the demand for home-grown energy. But the only thing happening 24-7 at the Dyersville plant these days is nothing at all. Its doors are shut and corn deliveries are turned away. Touring the facility recently, I saw dozens of rail cars... The Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2232116/posts#comment Sat, 18 Apr 2009 09:54:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2228968/posts Two years ago Imperium Renewables feted U.S. senators and other bigwigs at the opening of a biodiesel plant at the port of Grays Harbor, Wash. The $88 million plant was heralded as a great green hope in the fight against global warming. At the event, Imperium chief executive Martin Tobias dipped his finger in a container of biodiesel and took a taste for the crowd. Imperium's prospects aren't looking so sweet today. The plant at Grays Harbor is sitting idle. Most of Imperium's employees (110 two years ago), including Tobias, have been sent packing. The company has not much to... Forbes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2228968/posts#comment Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:28:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2228467/posts At a time when water supplies are scarce in many areas of the United States, scientists in Minnesota are reporting that production of bioethanol — often regarded as the clean-burning energy source of the future — may consume up to three times more water than previously thought. Sangwon Suh and colleagues point out in the new study that annual bioethanol production in the U.S. is currently about 9 billion gallons and note that experts expect it to increase in the near future. The growing demand for bioethanol, particularly corn-based ethanol, has sparked significant concerns among researchers about its impact on... ScienceDaily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2228467/posts#comment Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:15:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2225598/posts Farming biofuels produces nitrous oxide. This is bad for climate change MANY people consider the wider use of biofuels a promising way of reducing the amount of surplus carbon dioxide (CO2) being pumped into the air by the world’s mechanised transport. The theory is that plants such as sugar cane, maize (corn, to Americans), oilseed rape and wheat take up CO2 during their growth, so burning fuels made from them should have no net effect on the amount of that gas in the atmosphere. Biofuels should not contribute to global warming. Theory, though, does not always translate into practice, and... The Economist http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2225598/posts#comment Thu, 9 Apr 2009 14:30:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2219688/posts British Airways could not find sufficient sustainable biofuels for a joint ground testing program with engine manufacturer Rolls Royce and is therefore extending the search, a spokeswoman with the airline said Tuesday. The problem highlighted the lack of commercial availability of second-generation or sustainable biofuel feedstocks for long-term testing due to the absence of incentives for private initiative to put up considerable investment in these high-risk ventures. This, industry experts have said, is a challenge to their developments. "To take part in trials, suppliers had to commit to producing 60,000 liters of their alternative fuel and demonstrate that the fuel... Platts http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2219688/posts#comment Wed, 1 Apr 2009 12:08:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2210029/posts Shell will no longer invest in renewable technologies such as wind, solar and hydro power because they are not economic, the Anglo-Dutch oil company said today. It plans to invest more in biofuels which environmental groups blame for driving up food prices and deforestation. Executives at its annual strategy presentation said Shell, already the world's largest buyer and blender of crop-based biofuels, would also invest an unspecified amount in developing a new generat­ion of biofuels which do not use food-based crops and are less harmful to the environment. The company said it would concentrate on developing other cleaner ways of... The Guardian (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2210029/posts#comment Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:03:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2187492/posts The Uses of Wood Rot Feb 16, 2009 — Wood rot fungus doesn’t sound like a useful thing. Most people would rather get rid of it – especially those who have seen their houses decay because of it. Some scientists, however, are intrigued by it. It may have properties that could some day help power your car... CEH http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2187492/posts#comment Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:17:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2184515/posts <p>Energy: A fortune was spent on ethanol development last year when gas prices were in the stratosphere. Now a lesson has been learned: Worshiping the false god of ethanol carries a high price.</p> <p>A funny thing happened on the way to all the green profits that were supposed to be in the offing thanks to high prices at the gas pump.</p> IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2184515/posts#comment Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:13:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2174112/posts The first real-world, demonstration-scale project in Nevada for turning algae into biofuel has successfully completed the initial stage of research at the University of Nevada, Reno. The project is on track to show the process is an economical, commercially viable renewable energy source in Nevada. Univ Of Nevada, Reno http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2174112/posts#comment Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:59:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2169203/posts The clearing of Indonesia's rainforest for palm oil plantations is having profound effects – threatening endangered species, upending the lives of indigenous people, and releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide ___ Not long ago, biofuels were billed as a green dream come true, a way to burn less fossil fuel and shrink our carbon footprint. But today, mounting evidence indicates that producing biofuels — particularly those derived from food crops such as corn and oil palm — may be doing considerably more harm to the planet than good, actually increasing greenhouse gas emissions and driving up food prices worldwide. Some... Guardian (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2169203/posts#comment Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:48:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2166787/posts Everyone wants a bailout. Last week, a coalition of mostly farm energy lobbyists sent a letter to the Congressional Democratic leadership begging for billions in subsidies and tax credits. Farm energy is an umbrella term that encompasses everything from the growing of crops for biofuel production to the infrastructure that turns those crops into fuels, and additional energy sources such as farmer-owned windmills. In their letter, the lobbyists claim that a farm energy bailout would "help resuscitate our nation's economy and create hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs." First, the renewable energy lobbyists ask for $1.2 billion per year to... Reason http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2166787/posts#comment Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:54:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2165613/posts By Richard BlackEnvironment correspondent, BBC News website Farmers could help curb rising global temperatures by selecting crop varieties that reflect solar energy back into space, researchers say.Scientists at Bristol University calculate that switching crops in North America and Europe could reduce global temperatures by about 0.1C. Temperatures have risen by about 0.7C since the dawn of the industrial age. Other experts say the idea is feasible but could not cool the world enough to combat rising greenhouse gas levels. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that by the end of the century, the average global temperature will have... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2165613/posts#comment Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:26:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2161040/posts Oil prices have tumbled, and the economy has elbowed the environment from the headlines, but aviation's drive toward alternative fuels shows no sign of slowing down.On Dec. 30, Air New Zealand conducted the first flight test of a second-generation biofuel blend. Continental Airlines on Jan. 7 and Japan Airlines on Jan. 30 will flight-test additional biofuel mixes that meet the airline industry's criteria for environmental sustainability, which include not competing with food crops for resources.Three biofuel flights in a month was unthinkable just two years ago, and these tests will generate much-needed data for those charged with rewriting the jet-fuel... Aviation Week http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2161040/posts#comment Thu, 8 Jan 2009 18:17:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2153335/posts When a manufacturer expressly tells you that using certain types of fuel in a vehicle will cause damage and using said fuel will void the warranty, it's probably a good idea not to use the fuel in question. The city of Portland, Oregon certainly deserves credit for its aggressive use of biodiesel in its municipal truck fleet. However, if Portland or any other city is going to pursue such a program, they really should make sure the diesel engines in its vehicles are compatible with the fuel. Six of the 50 2008 Ford Super-Duty trucks purchased by Portland have suffered... www.autobloggreen.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2153335/posts#comment Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:04:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2138636/posts The use of ethanol and other renewable fuels supposedly helps gasoline burn cleaner creating less pollution. It also reduces America's reliance upon foreign oil. Last Monday the Environmental Protection Agency increased the amount of renewable automobile fuels required to be sold in the United States next year from 7.8 percent to 10.2 percent of the 138.5 billion gallons of gasoline projected to be consumed. This mandate mainly directs that higher levels of ethanol be mixed with gasoline. The higher standard is required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, a law that requires the increased use of renewable... The Bulletin http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2138636/posts#comment Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:37:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2131881/posts A fungus found in a Patagonian rainforest could provide an alternative source of biofuel, according to new research. "Many fungi make ethanol, but none to date produce this kind of mixture of diesel hydrocarbons," lead author Gary Strobel, professor of plant sciences and plant pathology at the US-based Montana State University (MSU), told SciDev.Net. A promising aspect of this discovery is that G. roseum produces myco-diesel directly from cellulose-rich products, skipping the fermentation step needed to produce ethanol, he says Science and Development Network http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2131881/posts#comment Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:23:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2123856/posts According to a VeraSun press release, a “series of events” had shrunk its liquidity, impairing its ability to invest in production facilities and operate its business. “A dramatic spike in corn costs,” partly due to its hedging arrangements and “worsening capital market conditions and a tightening of trade credit resulted in severe constraints on the company’s liquidity position,” the release said The statement went on to say that the Sioux Falls, S.D.-based company said it planned to maintain operations while the company and 24 of its subsidiaries reorganize. In addition it expects to reach a deal with lenders on additional... Gas2.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2123856/posts#comment Mon, 3 Nov 2008 20:01:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100507/posts The collapse of the ethanol boom continues as a Pratt-based ethanol producer is the latest to file bankruptcy. Gateway Ethanol LLC has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, estimating it owes between $50 million and $100 million. The filing comes weeks after Minneapolis-based Dougherty Funding LLC sought to have Gateway placed in emergency receivership to preserve any money being returned to creditors. It moved to foreclose on the company’s plant in May, saying Gateway defaulted on a $54.3 million loan used to build the facility. In a motion field in the U.S. District Court of Kansas in September, Dougherty noted... The Lawrence Journal-World http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100507/posts#comment Wed, 8 Oct 2008 15:41:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099359/posts The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture's Biofuels Initiative is between five and 10 years away from reaching the farms of Greene County and Upper East Tennessee. That was the word Saturday from Ken J. Goddard, of Knoxville, extension biofuels specialist at the University of Tennessee, during the 2008 Greene County Farm and Garden Expo at the Greene County Fairgrounds. "This is an excellent thing and I'm more excited right now than I've been at any time in my extension career, which spans more than 30 years," Goddard said privately after his presentation at the conclusion of the expo. "I... The Greeneville Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099359/posts#comment Tue, 7 Oct 2008 06:24:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065477/posts Calculated bioethanol yield per hectare. A study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists found that sweet potatoes grown in Maryland and Alabama, and tropical cassava grown in Alabama, yielded between two to three times as much carbohydrate (starch, sucrose, glucose) for fuel ethanol production via fermentation as field corn grown in those states. Dr. Lew Ziska, a plant physiologist at the ARS Crop Systems and Global Change Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., and colleagues at Beltsville and at the ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in Auburn, Ala., performed the study. The research is unique in comparing the root crops to... www.greencarcongress.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065477/posts#comment Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:46:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2062755/posts Forget food crops. Future fuels will come from more practical feedstocks. Plus, each generation will use fewer resources and pack more energy than the last. PM crunches the numbers on alternative fuels for the real world.By Chris Ladd Photograph by Bill DiodatoPublished in the September 2008 issue. Eric Meek of the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, N.Y., created this handblown beaker for our cover story. Watch the beaker take shape on PopMech TV right here. RELATED STORIES • NEW COVER STORY: "The Shape of Fuels to Come," On Sale Now! Process*: Raw biomass is typically ground up and pretreated... Popular Mechanic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2062755/posts#comment Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:31:11 GMT