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Red River Valley Research Corridor Program
Edwardsville Publishing Company announced today that it has launched a new Web site called HotLocalCars.com and a new print publication called "Hot Local Cars Magazine." more
Corn growers push E85 fuel
During a speech in Dutzow last week, Missouri Corn Growers Association E85 Coordinator Ethan Taylor pushed his organization's message that more consumers ought to consider the alternative fuel. more
Spiritwood ethanol plant is OK’d for revenue bonds
North Dakota
The Spirit Ethanol plant being built at Spiritwood will be able to use $60 million to $80 million in revenue bonds to build its sewage and solid waste disposal facilities now that the state Industrial Commission has agreed to have the state Public Finance Authority issue bonds. more
Blunt pushes for 5% biodiesel requirement
On the heels of legislation that requires all gas sold in Missouri to contain ethanol, Gov. Matt Blunt is pushing for regulations that would require diesel fuel to contain 5 percent biodiesel. more
The new Zarco offers cheaper fuel to Lawrence/Kansas
Farm column: Agri-Business Council Showcase features ethanol-powered racecar
Wisconsin
An Indy racecar, sponsored by Agri-Land Coop, will highlight this year's event. This racecar, fueled by ethanol, will be accompanied by a "Discover Ethanol" mobile display. more
New gas station touts its biofuels as ‘earth-friendly’
Kansas
Minnesota statewide news and notes
State agencies more than double E85 use. more
Minnesota's focused on biofuels future
Ethanol Sales Reach Nearly 74% of Gasoline Market in 2007
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association announced last week that Iowans chose E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline) nearly 74% of the time in 2007.
Power plant converts corn to fuel for vehicles
Northwest Ohio is getting greener, and it has nothing to do with the melting snow.
Poet Energy, LCC, the largest ethanol producer in the world, opened the first ethanol plant in Ohio in Leipsic. more
Illinois communities rewarded for greening their fleets
Rock Island, Ill., is blazing green trails with recent additions to its 300-unit municipal vehicle fleet. With its 21 new hybrid vehicles, it is the first community in the state to purchase fuel-efficient autos through Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias’ “Green Rewards” program. more
Carol Stream plans to go from green to greener
Carol Stream officials took a small step this week in getting their community more environmentally friendly. more
Dealership groundbreaking keyed by 7 donated vehicles
E85 Sales Continue to Grow in Iowa
Nebraska Ethanol Board Will Push for More E85 Pumps
Funds Available to Increase Number of E85 Pumps in Indiana
Missouri Governor Blunt Unveils New Plan to Promote Alternative Fuel
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today visited the home of the Ford Hybrid Escape where he unveiled his proactive proposal to encourage alternative fuel use in Missouri. more
Oshkosh City Cab Goes Green
Wisconsin; more
IOWA
JOHNSTON, Iowa – Iowa’s corn growers are backing ethanol and E85 legislative proposals that could provide benefits to Iowa consumers, if the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) can persuade state legislators to pass the plans. more
Pilot project in Kansas will let stations sell a variety of ethanol blends
Kansas drivers will soon have a chance to find out how well their cars will perform on blends of ethanol higher than the commonplace E10, but less than E85. more
E85 fuel now available at 28 Kansas stationsKansas Not too long ago, drivers of flexible fuel vehicles were lucky to find a handful of Kansas fuel stations that carried E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel. Today, motorists can find E85 in 28 stations across Kansas, with more on the way.more |
Ethanol choices increase at South Dakota pumps
Gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol now is facing competition from higher blends of ethanol, which backers claim provide more power and better mileage than both E-10 and regular unleaded, yet cost less. more
Kansans to get ethanol options
Kansas drivers will soon have a chance to find out how well their cars will perform on blends of ethanol higher than the commonplace E10, but less than E85. more
A River Falls first: New squad cars offer flex-fuel options
We do not have any other E85 vehicles in the police fleet,” said Police Chief Roger Leque. more
Norwalk nets Warren's first E85 station
Norwalk is expected to get a bit more "green" this winter as the Kum & Go gas station along Iowa Highway 28 activates the first E85 pump in Warren County.
The fuel tank is ready to go but Kum & Go general manager Jody Eagle said she wasn't sure when the pump would be shipped and installed.
Demand for E85, a fuel made from 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, is on the rise, and more than 75 stations in Iowa are stocking it. Experts say E85 is an environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline. more
New fuel option available at local Shell station
Ed Goodman of Gore fills his GMC Jimmy with E85 fuel Thursday at the Shell convenience store and filling station at 11th Street and Shawnee Bypass. more
Lassus Handy Dandy to sell E85 fuel
ROANOKE-Lassus Handy Dandy Convenience Stores will be adding American-made E85 fuel to their Roanoke location just off U.S. 24 West.
Polk County Commissioners news: Sheriff seeks new vehicles
The new purchases will also be flexible-fuel vehicles, enabling the use of E85 ethanol blend gas. To be recognized as a state bid, LeTexier pointed out, vehicles will soon need to be capable of using E85. more
New Conoco station opens
Station sat vacant for more than a year; second Smithville store for owner
“We’re the only place in town where you can get the E85 ethanol,” said Hawari. “The price of oil is getting out of sight. Right now the E85 is 45 cents cheaper than regular, and it’s made right here in Missouri” more
Senior engineering majors showcase design projects
KALAMAZOO--An "intelligent" aerobic shirt that analyzes physical activity by measuring heart rate and body motion, a converted four-cylinder gasoline engine that can use E85 fuel and an unmanned aircraft that uses onboard sensors instead of remote control will be among the projects presented Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Western Michigan University's 41st annual Conference on Senior Engineering and Design Projects. more
Iowa Awards Grants for Alternative Fuels
Iowa's Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board awarded $563,800 in grants to 21 Iowa fuel retailers to encourage them to install pumps and other equipment to dispense 85% ethanol gas and biodiesel fuel. more
Midwest Wants Biofuels at the Pump
Governors of Midwestern U.S. states on Thursday committed to ambitious targets for the distribution and consumption of renewable fuels, marking the third U.S. regional bloc of states to form a pact aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. more
Midwest Service Station in Baltic, SD Offers E-85 Ethanol for $1.85 From 3-6 P.M. on Nov. 21 for Thanksgiving Travelers
Pawlenty -- There is lots of good news in agriculture
ST. PAUL -- There's a lot of good news in agriculture these days, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said in delivering his annual State of the State of Agriculture address at the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council annual meeting on Nov. 8. more
Ethanol putting down roots in local farmfields, economy
Michigan
DAVISON TWP. -- It's raining corn on a windy November afternoon.
That's how it looks as Gary Blonde explores ethanol, the future -- maybe -- of home-grown energy.
more
'Green Team' showcases alternative fuel vehicles
Your View — Minnesotans need better choice at the gas pump
Locals express interest in saving motorists money
Several area fuel retailers expressed some interest in being able to offer customers lower prices by attending a Clean Ohio Fuels workshop Thursday morning.
High fuel costs are to blame in part for the drain on the economy, said Sam Spofforth, executive director of Clean Fuels Ohio, a non-profit statewide agency.more
Senators Urge EPA to Study Higher Ethanol Blends
Senators Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and John Thune. R-S.D., led a bi-partisan group of Senators this week in sending a letter to President Bush urging him to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to approve higher blends of ethanol up to 30%. more
The Blenders Are Back
The only way ethanol producers can keep increasing production capacity is to ramp up demand. South Dakota ethanol proponents believe blender pumps are an excellent tool to increase sales of the renewable fuel and to dispel the myth that E10 is the optimum blend rate for nonflexible-fuel vehicles. more
E85 breaks into new U.S. markets
The market for E85 is gradually expanding, not only in the Midwest but in newly established outposts such as Florida. more
Cooperatives started blender pump sales
Two Minnesota cooperatives have started blender pump sales. more
The popularity of E85 pushes demand for corn
For ethanol, demand rise is matter of time
Anybody who has bought a gallon of milk lately is experiencing what ag economist Christopher Hurt warned us about 18 months ago. more
E 85 Stations could Double Next Year in Illinois
If you drive a flex fuel vehicle, you may soon find more stations with E85 pumps. more
Illinois Corn Growers and Branding Program
You may have caught the blue and green “e” ethanol logo on the #17 IndyCar® Series entry during the Indianapolis 500 this summer. more
Loof's Mini Mart Gas Station in Swea City, IA and Iowa Clean Air IE 85 Stations could E 85 Stations could Double Next Year in IllinoisFor ethanol, demand rise is matter of time Double Next Year in Illinois E 85 Stations could Double Next I
Illinois Corn Growers and Branding Program
You may have caught the blue and green “e” ethanol logo on the #17 IndyCar® Series entry during the Indianapolis 500 this summer. more
inoisYear in Illinois Choice Team Offer $1.89 E-85 Ethanol on Oct. 8 ol Output Exceeds For ethanol, demand rise is matter of time State's Demand for line m E 85 Stations E 85 Stations could Double Next Year in Illinois could Double Next Year in 5 Stions could Double Next Year in Illinois Illinois ay come to a station near you
h 85 percent ethanol could flood the market in 2 E 85 Stations could Double Next Year in Illinois 00
Nebraska Ethanol Output Exceeds State's Demand for Gasoline
Imagine not having to import a single drop of gasoline into the state. There would be no money from Nebraska citizens leaving the state to pay oil companies. Fuel would likely be less expensive. Air quality would rise, the environment would improve and everyone could breathe a bit easier. more
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association: 2nd Quarter E85 Ethanol Sales Show 40% Increase Over 2006 Sales
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) announced on Sept. 28 that E85 sales in Iowa continued remarkable growth in the second quarter of 2007. more
Preparation work for Wahoo Ethanol plant again underway
Illinois Corn Marketing Board wants flex-fuel logos on all pumps
Kansas
E85 makes its area debut Public can try out cleaner fuel at Farmer's Co-Op off Hwy. 24
Local resident wins Kum & Go ‘Fuel Good’ sweepstakes
The purpose of the summer promotion was to educate the public on E85 as an alternative fuel, while cumulatively building prizes each month. more
Nebraska Ethanol Production exceeds State’s Total Demand for Gasoline
Imagine not having to import a single drop of gasoline into the state. There would be no money from Nebraska citizens leaving the state to pay oil companies. Fuel would likely be less expensive. Air quality would rise, the environment would improve and everyone could breathe a bit easier.
“Although that may sound a bit far-fetched, maybe it shouldn’t be,” said Randy Klein, director of market development for the Nebraska Corn Board. “If we had cars that could use 100 percent ethanol, we’d be there today — Nebraska could be completely self-sufficient.” more
LINCOLN POST OFFICE GOING GREEN
The Lincoln Post Office is going green.
In two different senses, even.
Two vehicles were added to the post office fleet Friday. Both Chevrolet Uplanders run on ethanol "E85" fuel. T.J. Jackson, who oversees maintenance at the post office, said the vehicles are cost-efficient and better for the environment.
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When Michael Murphy of Seymour, Iowa, was handed the keys to the E85-powered "Renewable Energy Chopper" during the halftime of the September 15th Iowa vs. Iowa State football game, he wasn't the only beneficiary of the "Join the Ride, Iowa" raffle. more
Some Will County residents try out E85 hybrid
It's one thing to know mileage is better if you don't gun it. It's quite another to see a constant computer printout of mileage going up or down depending on your driving, or to see the vehicle switch to electric power.
That was the consensus of some Will County residents after the Illinois Corn Producers gave them the opportunity to drive a Hybrid Ford Escape last week to see just how their driving habits would fit with the new flexible fuel vehicle.more
Students Work To Convert Old Cars To Flex-Fuels
Some Minnesota college students are working to make the cars we drive now run on cleaner energy, without having to buy a brand new car. more
Michigan State Police hit the test track with latest cop cars
Closer E85 station serves local demand
Dogwood Crossing to have customer appreciation day
Dogwood Crossing is the first in the Lancaster area to offer E85 ethanol and B20 biodiesel. more
One More Iowan Is Driving a Flex Fuel Vehicle
North Dakota and E85
The ethanol industry is growing, but it still has challenges.
According to industry leaders, corn ethanol is impacting not only corn growers, but small towns and gas stations that people use everyday.
The Bismarck Cenex station said a year or so ago, there were over 30 gas stations across the state that sold E85. more
Across Kansas: Ex-Kansas Rep. Slattery considers 2008 run for Senate
TOPEKA | Sebelius woos E85 market test. more
Another Alternative Energy Plant Coming to Mid-Michigan
An ethanol plant will be built in Corunna. Lt. Governor John Cherry joined city officials Friday, presenting them with a $900,000 check from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. more
Ohio encourages alternative fuels
Ohio's biennial budget allocation of $4.5 million for alternative fuel programs is expected to make soy biodiesel and E85 ethanol more widely available to consumers, industry experts say.
Ohio Soybean Association President Mark Watkins said the money allocated is a clear indication of the high priority the state places on promoting alternative energy sources.
Ohio has 43 E85 refueling stations and 51 biodiesel retail stations.
To encourage the sale of alternative fuels -- which will be more costly than regular fuel until they win customers -- retailers will be eligible for tax credits beginning in 2008.
Major biofuel proposals in Congress
Proposals that could affect Iowa/ more
State officials say new cars will have to meet mileage standards...
State officials say new cars will have to meet mileage standards
Bismarck, N.D. (AP) Officials in charge of buying vehicles for North Dakota's fleet say higher fuel prices are leading to changes. more
Biofuels can help start weaning U.S. from oil
NCGA: Drag Racer Mark Thomas Speeds Into Michigan To Promote Ethanol
Many farmers know that you must be fast paced to be successful, and Ohio farmer and six-time International Hot-Rod Association (IHRA) champion Funny Car driver Mark Thomas is no exception. The difference is instead of driving tractors, Thomas speeds at more than 240 miles per hour in his ethanol-powered Monte Carlo. more
GasAmerica Receives Lugar Energy Patriot Award
$900,000 grant aids E85 plant
Lansing State Journal
The state is kicking in $900,000 toward an ethanol plant project in Corunna. more
Are gas stations ripping us off?
Recent increases in area gas prices have more to do with refinery repairs and local competition than taking advantage of visitors for the races this weekend, said David Sykuta, executive director of the Illinois Petroleum Council. more
Weller wants more tax breaks for hybrid vehicles
BLOOMINGTON — U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller wants more incentive for motorists to buy fuel-efficient vehicles.
At a stop in Bloomington Monday, Weller promoted a tax credit of up to $3,000 on the purchase of a hybrid vehicle that uses E85 fuel, a blend of 85 percent ethanol. Automakers are working on the technology. more
Service station readies E85 pump
EAST LANSING - H&H Mobil will start pumping alternative fuel today in what is being billed as the launch of the city's first E85 pump. more
Pingree Grove brings on another officer to the force
The Village bought its second squad car. more
Costly gasoline prompts local drivers to weigh their options
Record-high gasoline prices have really gotten the attention of local car buyers. When stations posted prices of $3.39 per gallon and above, it didn't take many trips to the pump for drivers to notice. Media reports last week indicated Chicagoland and northern Illinois had among the highest gasoline prices in the nation. Ouch. That kind of notoriety we could do without. more
Stations get grants to sell E85
Three Iowa retail stations and a biodiesel blender received $80,000 in state grants to sell more biofuel, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association said Friday. more
Iowa Farm Bureau's campaign helps renewable fuels industry"The revitalization of rural Iowa due to renewable energy is as exciting a time as we've had in our state for generations," said Iowa Gov. Chet Culver. more |
IRFA Announces New Iowa Values Fund Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Grant Recipients
Braley tours ethanol plant
U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, says he supports a proposal by Iowa colleagues in Congress to study the feasibility of a cross-country ethanol pipeline. more
Ethanol Promoted at Brookfield Gas Station
-- Lucky drivers in Brookfield and Franklin scored a tank of gas for $2.84 a gallon! It was an event put on by the Ethanol Promotion Information Center or EPIC. more
Three New E85 and Three New Biodiesel Stations Add More Renewable Fuels Choice to Iowa
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) announced May 15 that Iowa consumers have three new locations to fuel up with homegrown E85 and biodiesel.
Iowa now has 61 stations offering E85 and 180 stations offering biodiesel blends. more
Support Sparta ethanol plant
A few of my fellow students (Kory Schulte, Nick Marnach, Jared Clairmont and Craig Nelson) and I at La Crescent High School would like to address some of the issues arising from the proposed ethanol plant near Sparta, Wis. We feel that as a community, we should fully support the proposed plant. more
Corn Growers Fared Well in 2007 Legislature
Lobbying efforts by the Iowa Corn Growers Association at the State Capitol in Des Moines during the 2007 Iowa Legislative session were successful, says Mindy Larsen Poldberg, director of government relations for the ICGA. The session ended April 28. She offers the following observations: more
Ground broken for VeraSun ethanol plant
VeraSun Energy Corporation is breaking ground today on Iowa's latest ethanol plant in Hartley. VeraSun Chairman and CEO Don Endres says the Hartley plant will produce about 110-Million gallons of ethanol a year. It'll also produce about 50,000 tons of a co-product, distiller's grain. more
Biofuel industry branches out, outside investors flow in
Iowa may be the nation’s renewable fuels leader, but Iowans won’t see most of the profits from the state’s biofuel plants. more
Why stover is vital for Iowa's soil
Stover is the plant material — stalks, husks, cobs — left after corn is harvested. Farmers sometimes refer to stover as "trash," but they know stover is critical to maintaining soil fertility and preventing soil erosion. Scientists are debating how much stover can be removed from the fields for distillation.
How stover becomes ethanol
As with producing ethanol from grain, processing cellulosic sources such as corn stover extracts the fermentable sugars from the feedstock for distillation into alcohol. But while breaking down the starches in grain is relatively simple, breaking down the compact structure of cellulose in an efficient and economical process has proved to be more of a challenge.
Supporters Rally at Capitol to Call for 'E85 Everywhere'
SAINT PAUL, Minn., April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Minnesota could lose its spot as America's undisputed leader in per capita use of cleaner, renewable-based biofuels, says the American Lung Association of Minnesota, which leads a partnership called the Minnesota E85 Team. more
Rush County, KS Potential Site for E85 Ethanol Plant
One of the topics discussed at the annual meeting of Rush County Industrial Development Sunday afternoon, February 15, was the possible construction of an ethanol plant in the southeastern part of the county. more
MFA to Open 41st E85 Station in Franklin County, MO
The station will be the first in Franklin County where motorists who own vehicles that burn E85 can fill their tanks. more
City vehicles go green
VALPARAISO | A city-owned pickup truck parked outside City Hall featured an ear of corn painted on its side and E85 emblazoned near the fuel door. On Monday morning, the day after Earth Day, Mayor Jon Costas unveiled the new biodiesel fleet, part of a package of environmental initiatives he is rolling out for the city. more
E85, Inc. Kansas Ethanol Plant Clears First Hurdle
A proposed ethanol plant in southeast Rush County has moved into the second phase of planning following a meeting with the Kansas Department of Water Resources on March 20 in Pratt. more
Hoosiers drive more alternative fuel vehicles
INDIANAPOLIS | April is declared National Alternative Fuel Autos Month by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. more
Ethanol making way to Reedsburg
REEDSBURG—Reedsburg's ethanol plant remains on hold pending the NexGen Biofuels choosing an exact site for the plant, but NexGen is adamant that the plant shall be built. more
Kum & Go Adds 28 More Biofuel Locations
IRFA Congratulates chain on environmentally friendly habits.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) recently congratulated Kum Go for adding biodiesel blends to 28 Iowa retail locations, according to the news website Grainnet.com. more
Sheboygan County gas stations are now selling E-85 fuel
Larry Baer of the Town of Holland just loved filling up his van Wednesday with ethanol at a Renew Fuel Station in Cedar Grove — at $2 a gallon. more
Ethanol Kroger's newest E85 fuel station near Hilliard
Kroger continued its march toward the green yesterday by unveiling its latest E85 ethanol-fuel station. more
New ethanol plants eyed
County votes to expand Enterprise Zone
The Madison County Board voted on Wednesday to expand the Southwestern Madison County Enterprise Zone, paving the way for two proposed ethanol plants and a biodiesel plant. more
Iowans buy almost 2 million gallons of E85 last year
E85 sales in Iowa grew by almost 200 percent in 2006, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association said Tuesday.
According to figures compiled by the Iowa Department of Revenue, sales of E85, composed of 85 percent corn-based ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, by Iowa retailers rose 199 percent to almost 2 million gallons, compared to 668,595 gallons for 2005, the association said.
E85 sales reached 470,960 gallons during the fourth quarter of 2006, a 216 percent rise from the same time period in 2005.
Flex-fuel market drives forward, slowly
Hybrid cars have an electric motor and a gas engine
Although hybrid and flex-fuel cars have been around since the mid-1990s, consumer interest in alternative fuel vehicles have been slow to gain momentum.
With flex-fuel cars, part of the problem is the lack of consumer knowledge due to insufficient marketing by the auto industry. In Wisconsin, the other drawback is that the infrastructure to support the flex-fuel car market is severely lacking.
"There are only about 110 gas stations in Wisconsin that offer E85 fuel, whereas Minnesota has 3,000," said Tony Pirlot, manager of Five Corners Pontiac/GMC Truck Center in Cedarburg. "For every GMC make and model, there is a flex-fuel option. They’re not a complete fix for our nation, but they sure could help out in the state." more
Growing fuel: Farmer wins corn-powered truck
A Monitor Township farmer is driving a corn-powered truck today, and he won't have to go far to fill it up with ethanol in Hampton Township.
Gordy Mammel, 58, won a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, valued at $39,000, in a contest sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., an Iowa-based company that develops corn hybrids for farmers. more
Alternative fuel sources abound in Morgan County
Officials from a rural county consisting primarily of farm and woodland acreage began efforts to embrace the use of renewable fuels by looking at uses for local raw materials to produce alternative energy. more
Draft permit issued for ethanol plant
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has approved a draft air quality permit for a company hoping to build an ethanol plant in Newark. more
Iowa Corn Growers Announce "Drive E85" Contest
Is 2007 your lucky year? It could be if you enter the Iowa Corn Drive E85 Contest, which gives you the chance to win a one-year lease on a flexible-fuel vehicle or free ethanol. This contest, sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, is part of an educational campaign to help consumers learn more about using E85, an 85% ethanol-blended gasoline, in flexible-fuel vehicles. more
Ethanol having impact on area
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"We're not only in the financing, but in the cash management as well," explained Kolling, who has been employed by Home Federal for more than 30 years. more
Schmidt gets new E85 station
Rep. Jean Schmidt joined Kroger executives Thursday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the region's 110th Kroger store, an energy-efficient facility that uses 15 percent less energy than a regular Kroger store. more
Fuel vendor offers home-grown alternative
Renew fueling station set to open in Grand Chute in spring
A rapidly expanding firm that sells auto fuel made from locally grown corn will plant roots in the Fox Cities in spring.
Utica Energy LLC, has obtained town approval to open an unattended filling station at 2137 W. Wisconsin Ave. by May, said Jay Stoflet, marketing director for Renew E85, the retail product of the Oshkosh-area ethanol producer. Utica Energy already operates eight Renew E85 fueling stations within a 50-mile radius of Oshkosh. more
New Alternative Fuel Directory Features Over 2,200 E85, Biodiesel Retail Locations Nationwide
USA Energy Independence Publications announces the first ever directory covering both E85 Ethanol Fuel and Biodiesel Fuel retail stations nationwide.
Designed to help the Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV)-vehicle and diesel-powered vehicle owners find local retail outlets for these fuels, the directory also features a buyers guide for 2007 and earlier model Flex Fuel vehicles. more
State Senate OKs e85 Bill
A bill to increase the number of e85 vehicles running in Indiana has passed the State Senate. Sponsored by Senators Hershman, Weatherwax, and Heinold, SB 270 would encourage local governments to buy flex fuel vehicles and use e85 ethanol fuel. Local governments would receive monthly payments of $400 for 5 years if they purchase flex fuel vehicles and use e85 fuel 75% of the time. more
Why No E85 in Crawfordsville?
This is an open letter to all of the gasoline stations in Crawfordsville. Why isn't one of your franchises thinking progressively and offering E85 fuel in our fair city? more
Bi-county partnership looks good for corridor/Indiana and Verasun
If opportunities strike, they strike fast in White County. But that's not a bad thing say the White County Commissioners and others involved in the simmering endeavor that is the Wolcott Corridor. more
| Culver: Iowa Positioned To Lead Nation In Renewable Fuels |  |
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Iowa's governor says he's ready to help make Iowa the leader in alternative energy. more |
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Water and Ethanol only fuel required to run Automobile
The Nation’s first operational hydrous wet ethanol “auto” will be demonstrated this week in South Dakota. Much like the nation's first operational E85 auto was built at Lake Area Technical Institute this auto running efficiently on hydrous ethanol could be another huge technological break through born in South Dakota. This promising technology could make our ethanol industry up to 50% more efficient because of the increased mpg hydrous ethanol provides. The informative program will include rides and a demonstration of the van's performance on the highway.
Last summer Cherry brought the University of Idaho's diesel engine converted to run on up to a 50% water/ethanol mixture to Watertown, SD for a demonstration. The “Smartplug” technology, invented and patented by Cherry , is key to gaining a nearly 50% gain in efficiency when using ethanol as a fuel. Scientists have long known about the potential efficiencies of using water ethanol as a fuel if a spark plug could ignite it. The unique design of the Smartplug provides a "blow torch" ignition hot enough to explode the stable ethanol water mixture, thus creating what many describe as an internal combustion steam engine.
Jason Frerichs, SDSU Agriculture Education Senior, and program chair states, “Through utilization of this hydrous ethanol mixture we can increase the efficiency of our ethanol industry and significantly reduce our need imported gasoline”
The hydrous ethanol powered van will be based out of Watertown, and will travel to Brookings on Wednesday, February 7th with a presentation/demonstration at the SDSU Agriculture Engineering Shop and Classroom 125 at 7 P.M. On Thursday and Friday the van will be at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown. Thursday the 8th there will be a presentation/demonstration at 1pm in the Automotive Tech building at the LATI 13th street location . Saturday the van visits the South Dakota Farmers Union Convention in Huron at the Crossroads Convention Center. Mr. Cherry will give a presentation at 11:15 am and will offer rides throughout the day.
“This exciting technology will assure a more productive use of our agricultural resources,” states Orrie Swayze, Vice Chair of the Farmers Union E-85 Action Team.
Sponsors include: SDSU Collegiate Farmers Union, SDSU Agriculture Systems Technology/ASABE Club, SDSU Students Association, SDSU University Programs Council, SD Farmers Union, SD Corn Utilization Council, Farmers Union Industries, Glacial Lakes Energy, and the Alternative Fuels Institute.
South Shore Clean Cities launches 2007 initiatives
MERRILLVILLE | Close to 1.2 million Northwest Indiana residents battle lung disease.
And in Lake County, the nation's 16th-most polluted county, 11,000 children suffer from asthma.
Those were some of the statistics delivered Friday by American Lung Association of Indiana CEO Nancy Turner.
Turner was keynote speaker at the annual meeting of South Shore Clean Cities, Inc., a nonprofit corporation dedicated to decreasing dependence on foreign oil and advancing clean-air objectives. more
Hunter: Ways to help Iowa stay on track as leader in renewable energy
Gov. Chet Culver has already shown he's an avid recycler: His inaugural address reused much of his campaign rhetoric in pledging to make renewable-energy research and production a top priority:
"It's time for Iowa to become the first state in the nation to declare energy independence!" he declared. more
Ethanol fuel available at Circleville Kroger
Motorists interested in flex fuel-powered vehicles will have another place to put on their map of E85 sellers. more
| Ethanol Plant Planned for State's 'Biotown' | |||||
A South Dakota-based company is planning to build an ethanol plant just outside the northern Indiana town dubbed Biotown U.S.A. |
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Michigan revs up alternative fuel efforts
As traditional manufacturing jobs disappear and Michigan looks for ways to diversify its economy in the 21st century, the state is boosting efforts to become a national leader in the area of researching, developing and producing energy using renewable resources. The Associated Press takes a look at some of these efforts as part of its ongoing "Making it in Michigan" series. more
110th Congress Dems' agenda: what it means to Hoosiers
Boost renewable fuels
House Democratic leaders want to eliminate billions in recent tax breaks for oil and gas producers and create breaks for renewable-fuels producers. That would be good news for the 12 ethanol plants launched in Indiana in the past two years. Additional incentives also would help Indiana's corn growers, who have seen corn prices go up 85 percent from recent norms. But there are consequences, said Chris Hurt, a Purdue University agricultural economist. Corn prices could spiral out of control and raise the price of meat, milk, eggs, bread, pasta, fruits and vegetables. more
Editorial update: Cap suggestions on increasing fuel economy
A nother "blue-ribbon" panel of corporate executives has met to try and find solutions to ease America's reliance on foreign oil, and, as usual, the auto industry is targeted as enemy No. 1. more
Governor Pawlenty Introduces Next Generation Energy Initiative
More renewable energy, more energy conservation, and less carbon emissions for Minnesota are the benefits from the Next Generation Energy Initiative announced by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty in his address to the Midwest Ag Energy Network Summit. more
The Governor's proposals will build on Minnesota's nation-leading per capita renewable fuel use, one of which is to move the state closer to 25% of all types of the state's energy to come from renewable sources by 2025 (25x'25).
Further Ethanol Growth
He met Monday in Fargo with ethanol industry leaders to find ways of bolstering the state’s ethanol industry.
Dorgan, who will be chairman of the Senate energy subcommittee in the new Congress, said the post will help him influence ethanol’s future. Dorgan said he wonders why more service stations across the state don’t sell E-85.
E-85 is a gasoline blend that’s 85 percent ethanol, typically produced from corn.
“There’s a disconnect between the number of flex-fuel vehicles in the state and the number of stations that sell it,” he said.
About 15,000 flex-fuel vehicles are on the road in the state, but E-85 is only offered at about 30 stations statewide, he said.
Kent Satrang, who manages Cenex stations in Fargo-Moorhead, said consumers’ fuel purchases are influenced in part by price.
“If you get a good price (on E-85), people will buy it,” he said.
Dorgan also wonders why more North Dakota farmers aren’t owners of state ethanol plants.
Annual ethanol production in North Dakota, which stood at 30 million gallons a few years ago, will reach 300 million gallons this winter, when several new plants begin production.
That’s improved corn prices received by state farmers, Dorgan said.
But farmers would benefit even more if they had ownership stakes in new ethanol plants, he said.
Federal and state legislation could be needed to increase incentives for farmers to own ethanol plants, he said.
Corn production in the state has doubled since 1999, in part because of growing demand for ethanol, said Jocie Iszler, executive director of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association.
Studies show that more of the money generated by ethanol plants remains in the community when plants are locally owned, she said.
NextEnergy to Provide Michigan Gas Retailers with Incentives to Sell Biofuels
DETROIT, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEnergy, Michigan's alternative energy accelerator, has been awarded a Biofuels Infrastructure Incentive Grant, enabling them to offer incentives to Michigan gas station retailers to install or convert fueling equipment to ethanol (E85) and/or biodiesel (B20). The $150,000 incentive grant was awarded by the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG). This is the second round of grant funding awarded to NextEnergy, the first being a $50,000 incentive grant, which NextEnergy is in the process of granting to six stations. More
Woolsey: Ethanol production less
vulnerable to terrorists
ST. LOUIS - Former CIA Director James Woolsey said Thursday that fuel made from wood chips, corn stalks, switch grass or poplar trees has "extraordinary potential" as a renewable energy source and its production would be less vulnerable to terrorists. more
Ethanol brewing up energy in mid-Mich.
WOODBURY - This small burg is hardly a dot on most maps.
But a plume of steam on its northern edge hints at something big happening. Tucked between Sunfield and Lake Odessa - about 30 miles west of Lansing - the community is now home to one of Michigan's three operating ethanol plants.
The $62 million US Bio Woodbury plant, built by South Dakota-based US BioEnergy Corp. and a group of 21 local investors, expects to produce 45 million gallons of ethanol a year. It will use some 17 million bushels of corn in the process. more
Kansas - Raising ethanol awareness
E-85 vehicle tours Midwest to tout benefits, dispel myths
Mike Kuta has driven 1,200 miles this week, carrying the message of ethanol.
He has been driving a Ford F-150 flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) pickup truck from Denver to Wichita, Kan., to Topeka, Kan., to Columbia, Mo., to Evansville to draw attention to the ethanol-capable vehicle and to the advantages of ethanol fuel. More
Iowa - E85 Fuel to be available in Fairfield
Store owner Mark Logli said the fuel, a blend of 85 percent ethanol, will then be hooked up and hopefully ready for customers in early September. At this time, installation of the new pump is on schedule.
Logli said the push for renewable fuels and legislative incentives set the stage for his decision to install the pump.
A worker guides the 10,000-gallon E85 fuel storage tank into the hole Wednesday afternoon at Logli's Store in Fairfield, IA.
Missouri - States vying for ethanol plants with incentives
Missouri has been a major player in the nation's ethanol boom. The state has $1.5 billion in proposed ethanol developments, three plants are up and running and 18 more are in various stages of proposal or development.
The state currently has an annual capacity of 115 million gallons of ethanol.
But Missouri is almost certain to have competition for ethanol investment dollars in the future. Illinois, for example, has four ethanol plants. The state also has 35 to 40 proposed plants on the horizon, according to the Illinois Corn Growers Association.
What may affect where those investment dollars go are incentives offered to producers and consumers.
One of the principal incentives in Missouri is the state Ethanol Producer Incentive Fund, which provides ethanol producers $0.20 per gallon for the first 12.5 million gallons and $0.05 for the second 12.5 million gallons. An ethanol plant could get up to $3.125 million annually from that fund.
Another market push is the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires all gasoline sold in the state contain 10 percent ethanol beginning in 2008. The law stipulates distributors must be able to purchase the blend at the same or lower price than regular fuel. More
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