Author Archive: Isabel Lane

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Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) push back on criticism over Pentagon’s use of biofuels

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) push back on criticism over Pentagon’s use of biofuels

July 16, 2012 |

In Washington, amidst scathing headlines regarding the Great Green Fleet Demonstration, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have published an article in Politico criticizing Congress’s push back on the Pentagon’s efforts in the alternative fuel arena. Echoing the sentiments of the biofuel industry, they brought up the cost of our dependence on foreign […]

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Michigan State University finds biofuel production process with yields 20x current rates

Michigan State University finds biofuel production process with yields 20x current rates

July 16, 2012 |

In Michigan, a biofuel production process with a yield 20 times higher than current processes was discovered by a Michigan State microbiologist. Dr. Gemma Reguera’s process uses a second bacterium in the breakdown process, which removes the nonethanol materials while generating electricity. The process averaged 35 to 40% energy recovery from the fermentation process using […]

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Emgasud S.A. seeking financial closure for 34-megawatt plant in Argentina

Emgasud S.A. seeking financial closure for 34-megawatt plant in Argentina

July 16, 2012 |

In Argentina, Emgasud S.A. is seeking financial closure for the construction of the Parana biofuel power plant, which has a 34-Megawatt capacity. The plant falls into line as part of Argentina’s Official Plan of Renewable Energies Program (GENREN), which was put forward by Argentina’s Ministry of Federal Planning in 2009.  More on this story.

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Thailand biofuels exports expected to double

Thailand biofuels exports expected to double

July 16, 2012 |

In Thailand, as demand for biofuels rises in Asia, Thailand’s exports are expected to double this year. Growth in local demand, which peaked at 470m liters per year, is dwarfed by growth in the county’s exports, expected to reach 300 million liters this year. The surge follows an easing of regulations to facilitate ethanol exports […]

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Ceres nets an $8.4m third-quarter loss

Ceres nets an $8.4m third-quarter loss

July 16, 2012 |

In California, Ceres has reported a net loss of $8.4m for their third quarter, which ended in May. Responded President & CEO Richard Hamilton, these numbers are not indicative of end-of-year performance; “Under some very challenging agricultural conditions, we outperformed commercial competitors and, at locations where adequate rainfall was available, we demonstrated the economic potential […]

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Gevo hits roadblock in Butamax litigation: ordered not to distribute automotive fuel products

Gevo hits roadblock in Butamax litigation: ordered not to distribute automotive fuel products

July 9, 2012 |

In Colorado, Gevo has hit a roadblock after its victory in the Butamax litigation last month: a federal judge has ordered that Gevo hold on distributing its isobutanol into automotive fuel markets through any appeal process. The court order did not preclude Gevo from selling isobutanol into its key chemicals and aviation fuel markets, however […]

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GE Aviation commits to buying 5 million gallons annually

GE Aviation commits to buying 5 million gallons annually

July 9, 2012 |

In Ohio, GE has committed to buy 5 million gallons of biofuels annually for its aviation division, starting in January 2015. The commitment totals half of the 10 million gallons used at the company’s jet engine testing facilities near Cincinnattti. Many Ohioans see a kickstart for the crop economy, which already has the capability to […]

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DuPont Danisco contracts KBR for engineering of Iowa plant

DuPont Danisco contracts KBR for engineering of Iowa plant

July 9, 2012 |

In Iowa, DuPont Danisco has contracted KBR for the engineering and procurement services it needs to complete its first cellulosic plant in Nevada, Iowa. The plant, which  has a name plate capacity of 27.5 million gallons per year, will be one of the world’s first commercial0scale cellulosic ethanol plants. Construction is expected to finish sometime […]

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Monsanto slammed with up to $7.5 billion in fees to farmers

Monsanto slammed with up to $7.5 billion in fees to farmers

July 9, 2012 |

In Brazil, Monsanto is facing up to $7.5 billion in payments to five million Brazillian soy farmers. Many have come together to sue the Ag Giant over a controversy regarding penalties placed on the farmers for reusing Monsanto’s genetically modified seeds. The Brazilian Supreme Court decided against Monsanto in mid-June, after a Rio Grande Do […]

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Netherlands and Brazil sign on for biofuel cooperation

Netherlands and Brazil sign on for biofuel cooperation

July 9, 2012 |

In Brazil, the Netherlands and Brazil have signed onto an agreement which will promote collaboration on the development of biofuels. They intend on sharing technology for electricity generation from biomass. The Netherlands has a 4.5% renewable requirement for fuels brought onto the market, making the agreement strategic on their behalf. More on this story

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