by Kari Lydersen (Midwestern Energy News) Purdue University associate professor Richard Meilan is striving to develop a poplar tree that grows more quickly and can be more easily converted to biofuel than the average member of the genus Populus. It also must be
by Brian Wallheimer (Purdue University) If Purdue University researchers have their way, the term "biofuel plant" will take on a whole new meaning. A team received a $5.2 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to develop a plant that can make substances
by Marc Chase (Northwest Indiana Times) With new owners possibly on the horizon for the proposed Schneider trash-to-ethanol plant, some Lake County waste officials say it is the perpetuation of a four-year-old game of musical chairs. The proposed purchase of the
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Talk of a possible renewable fuel standard (RFS) waiver request became a reality in mid-August, when the U.S. EPA was officially petitioned. The clock starts on a 90-day deadline and a public comment period
(Northwest Indiana Times) A group of contractors planning to build a proposed trash-to-ethanol plant in Schneider announced Monday it has reached an agreement to purchase assets from developer Powers Energy of America. The group, SMC LLC, signed an agreement with Powers
(The Iowa Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) The Midwestern Governors Association has formally asked every major diesel engine and vehicle manufacturer to support the use of biodiesel blends of at least 20 percent (B20) in all diesel-powered equipment. ...“As governors, we see increasing
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced payments for 125 advanced Biofuel producers across the country to support the production and expansion of advanced biofuels from a wide variety of non-food sources, including waste products. "Advanced biofuels are
by Seth Slabaugh (The Star Press) ... “High corn prices driven by the drought have caused some ethanol plants to temporarily idle or reduce production,” Matt Hartwig of the Renewable Fuels Association, an ethanol trade group in Washington, D.C., told The
by Marc Chase (Northwest Indiana Times) Powers Energy of America remained in breach of contract with Lake County's solid waste board but was given another month to try to prove it can finance its long proposed trash-to-ethanol plant. The extension until
by Deborah Laverty (Northwest Indiana Times) After a lengthy discussion, City Council members agreed Thursday to sign an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Lake County Solid Waste Management District. The agreement allows the city to take part in the proposed $450
by Marc Chase (Northwest Indiana Times) If a would-be trash-to-ethanol developer doesn't have the money in hand to complete its project by July 19, it doesn't have a deal with the county, a top solid waste district official says. "If you
by Carrie Napoleon (Post-Tribune/SunTimes) Powers Energy has met the requirements of the 60-day milestone set out by the Lake County Solid Waste Management District board regarding land acquisition for the proposed $360 million trash-to-ethanol plant. Thursday the LCSWMD board accepted 21-1 the
by Karen Caffarini (Post Tribune) The City Council has unanimously approved an interlocal agreement to send Hobart-generated garbage to the Powers Energy ethanol plant in Schneider, if and when it is constructed, becoming the seventh community to commit to the project. The
(Science Daily/Purdue University) Sweet and biomass sorghum would meet the need for next-generation biofuels to be environmentally sustainable, easily adopted by producers and take advantage of existing agricultural infrastructure, a group of researchers led by Purdue University scientists believes. The scientists
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The future of using corn stover for advanced biofuels was one of the discussion topics at last week’s Corn Utilization Technology Conference in Indianapolis. ...(Nathan) Mosier (with the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University) says he’s been working
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In-field bioprocessing? Dramatically higher plant oil production? R&D breakthroughs offer new paths to victory for Millers vs Drillers. If you haven’t been getting most of your information on the Renewable Fuel Standard from the Grocers Manufacturing
(Purdue University) A new Purdue University-developed process for creating biofuels has shown potential to be cost-effective for production scale, opening the door for moving beyond the laboratory setting. A Purdue economic analysis shows that the cost of the thermo-chemical H2Bioil method
by Lu Ann Franklin (Northwest Indiana Times) The Town Council will hear public comments about signing the interlocal agreement with Lake County Solid Waste District for the proposed trash-to-ethanol facility in Schneider on June 4 and June 18. ...As proposed, the trash-to-ethanol
by Kelly Madsen (IowaStateDaily.com) The Iowa State University-led Cenusa Bioenergy project works to develop a biofuel with both a Midwestern and environmental focus. Through a five-year, $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture,
by Richard Essex (WTHR.com) For almost three weeks, the price of gas is going up. On the far west side of Indianapolis, regular unleaded gas is just a tick under $4 a gallon. Staci and Doug Stover of Avon
by Marc Chase (Northwest Indiana Times) The Lake County Solid Waste Management District could avoid potential litigation — but invite other legal problems — if the trash-to-ethanol contract dies between now and April 2. A canceled county contract with Powers Energy
by Steve Tarter (The State-Journal Register) More U.S. ethanol was shipped overseas in 2011 than any year in history. The Washington, D.C.-based Renewable Fuels Association reported that 1.1 billion gallons of ethanol — worth about $2.5 billion — were exported to
by Marc Chase (NWITimes.com) As time began to run out on Lake County's trash-to-ethanol plan last week, so did the faith and confidence of solid waste district officials — both in the project and themselves. Jeff Langbehn, executive director of
by Meghan Grebner (Brownfield Ag News) Fort Wayne, Ind. residents will have additional options when it comes to filling up their flex-fuel vehicles. The flex-fuel pump – the first of its kind offers drivers the option for E85 or E30. Lassus Handy Dandy president
(Iowa State University) Now, an Iowa State University-based study over the next five years will examine whether a single, coordinated production system can address all of these concerns while making profits for producers. A multi-state, interdisciplinary team led by Ken Moore,
by Marc Chase (Northwest Indiana) The former Lake County sheriff is seeking answers regarding the absent financing for a proposed south county trash-to-ethanol plant. And the chief political champion of the plan, Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub, said he wants the
by Gary Truitt (Hoosier Ag Today) Jay Berry, with Central Indiana Ethanol in Marion, says many stations do not have the equipment to handle higher ethanol blends. He told HAT there are no regulations that cover ethanol compliance, “We had
by Chris O'Malley (Indianapolis Business Journal) ...But it looks like motorists, rather than ethanol makers, stand to feel the pain. The reason is the survival of another federal measure, known as the Renewable Fuels Standard. It requires that an increasing amount
(Network Indiana) Evansville-based Powers Energy of America is still planning on buying land in south Lake County and building a facility that will convert trash into ethanol in about three years from now. Lake County Solid Waste Management District Executive Director
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) If not for the vision of Paul Dana that ethanol could fuel Indy Racing cars, Ignite Racing Fuel might never have existed. The Indiana company this week received the 2011 Paul Dana Excellence in Bioenergy Leadership Award from
by Andy Eubank (Hoosier Ag Today) Homegrown Indiana innovation for farmers was displayed Tuesday in Fulton County when the New Holland Rochester manager climbed aboard a combine with his patented Cornrower and created a windrow of corn stover while shelling
by Marc Chase (Northwest Indiana) Offering no firm timeline on when money for a proposed trash-to-ethanol plant would be in the bank, a man claiming to be the owner of a Nevada-based hedge fund said he is committed to funding the
by Jennifer Stewart (Purdue Newsroom) Dairy producers looking for a high-quality heifer feed that often costs less than traditional corn and soybean feed grains should consider distillers grains, says a Purdue Extension dairy nutrition specialist. Distillers grains, a co-product of ethanol
(R&D) In May a team of researchers led by Rick Meilan, associate professor of forestry and natural resources, began a five-year study to determine the viability of poplar species as an ethanol feedstock and cash crop for Indiana farmers. The study includes
(PhysOrg.com/Purdue University) Not all parts of a corn stalk are equal, and they shouldn't be treated that way when creating cellulosic ethanol, say Purdue University researchers. When corn stover is processed to make cellulosic ethanol, everything is ground down and blended together.
by Marc Chase (Northwest Indiana Times) The land deal for a proposed trash-to-ethanol plant in Schneider is off, according to county solid waste district officials, and the town's top official questions whether it ever will be built. Schneider Town Council President
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R, IN-3rd) have introduced a farm bill that they say would save $40 billion and includes provisions that support the development of advanced biofuels. “We offer our bill as a
by Marc Chase (Northwest Indiana Times) A Lake County solid waste management official wants to give Earl Powers 90 days to prove he can finance the trash-to-ethanol plant that he pledged more than 1,000 days ago to build. Griffith Town Councilman
by Megan Banta (Evansville Courier & Press) Hoosiers will soon see new flex fuel pumps at a handful of Indiana convenience stores and gas stations funded by a grant program launched Wednesday by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. The pumps, also
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today (September 27, 2011) announced that USDA will make payments to more than 160 energy producers in 41 states to support and ensure the production and expansion of advanced biofuels. "Renewable energy production
by Brian Wallheimer (Purdue University) Purdue University researchers have found an alternative environmentally friendly and energy-efficient way to dry corn ethanol, and their proof is in the pudding. Michael Ladisch, a distinguished professor of agricultural and biological engineering; Youngmi Kim, a Purdue
by Brian Wallheimer (Purdue University) Adding a pretreatment step would allow producers to get more ethanol from switchgrass harvested in the fall, according to a Purdue University study. Michael Ladisch, a distinguished professor of agricultural and biological engineering, and Youngmi Kim,
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) ..."We are very excited to strengthen our relationship with our primary feedstock supplier–Green Grease Solutions LLC—and to secure a longer term feedstock supply agreement for our biodiesel operations,” said Jeffrey Wilson, president of Imperial Petroleum.
by Gouri Shankar Mishra and Sonia Yeh (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Study recalculates water consumption with expanded system boundaries and coproduct credit Recent studies have estimated the “consumptive water use,” “water embodied,” and “water footprint” of corn-based ethanol in the U.S, with
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA’s Aug. 17 announcement of 900 Rural Energy for America Program grants included just 21 awards for blender pumps. USDA officials promise, however, that more funding is on the way. The announcement highlighted
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory is looking for the best biofuels crops to grow in the northeast Illinois Indian Creek Watershed. During a recent field tour of the watershed sponsored by theConservation Technology Information Center, Argonne
by Marc Chase (NWI.com) What had been all excitement regarding a possible economic boon for this south Lake County town is turning into some frustration and deflated spirits, according to one Schneider official. Town Council President Richard Wright said he still
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Following in the footsteps of other race-sanctioning bodies, the United States Auto Club now has an official fuel—ethanol. The difference is, this three-year partnership will mean much larger amounts of fuel used on
by Keith Robinson (Purdue University) Growing demand for corn to use in biofuels and for soybeans to help feed a booming Chinese economy are among key forces driving commodity prices higher this year, according to a report by three
by Bryan Sims (Biorefining Magazine) Delving into termite guts to find the best cellulases or lignocellulases to efficiently convert cellulose and hemicelluloses, even lignin, into advanced biofuels isn’t a new concept within the biorefining community, but researchers at Purdue University
by Bryan Christjansen (Journal Gazette) In “Ethanol’s subsidies drain on economy” (Opinion, July 3), Wayne Townsend claims that ethanol production in the United States and in Indiana has caused the price of corn to “skyrocket,” thus “jeopardizing the financial
(Office of Senator Dick Lugar) Senator Dick Lugar today introduced his Practical Energy Plan exclusively via Facebook. Lugar was joined in the live stream by Dave Conover, Senior Vice President of the Bipartisan Policy Center and former Bush Administration official. Video
(AP/Bloomberg/The Washington Post) If a $5 billion-a-year federal subsidy that helped build the ethanol industry comes to an end, it will likely mean two things, experts who have followed its development say. First, it doesn’t guarantee an end to the high
by Tom Bechman (Indiana Prairie Farmer) Corn growers in Indiana promote more pumps. One of the highlights of the ethanol summit in Indianapolis a few days ago was an announcement that the Indiana Corn Marketing Council has launched a new program
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A long-proposed municipal solid waste (MSW)-to-ethanol project in Lake County, Ind., has locked in the financing needed to construct the facility and is expected to undergo construction in July. Powers Energy of America Inc.
(Indiana Corn Marketing Council) A new program launched by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) looks to give Hoosier consumers a choice at the pump when it comes to purchasing ethanol blends. The Flex Fuel Pump Program, unveiled during the Indiana
by Gary Truitt (Hoosier Ag Today) ...The facts show that ethanol continues to be a major economic driver in Indiana. The 13 ethanol plants in the state produce over 1 billion gallons annually and generate $3.2 billion in sales and
(DeltaWing) DeltaWing design and technology will be utilized by Project 56 Partners. Two seat DeltaWing will focus on innovation to achieve ultra energy efficiency and 24 hour performance DeltaWing Racing Cars, of Indianapolis, today announced a major project milestone. “We are pleased to
by Kevin Bullis (MIT's Technology Review) A new study fuels the debate over the impact of growing crops for fuel. Greenhouse-gas emissions from biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, may be lower than many researchers have estimated, according to a new
by Bill Dolan (Northwest Indiana Times) Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub, D-Merrillville, announced Thursday that an out-of-state investment firm is committing $600 million to the construction of trash-to-ethanol production. "The groundbreaking will be sometime after Memorial Day. The festivities will be
by Annie Ilnicki (WANE.com) Nature's Fuel to open by end of year A company in Huntington is on its way to turning trash into liquid gold. Officials from Nature's Fuel broke ground Wednesday afternoon, on a facility that'll turn everyday
(VermontBiz.com) Saint Michael's College biologist Dr Mark Lubkowitz and his students join a team of researchers from the University of Missouri, University of Florida, Purdue University and the University Nebraska-Lincoln, on a five-year project to study the genes that control
by Marc Chase (NWI Times) Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. expressed reservation at signing a 20-year agreement to commit his city's trash to a process that remains commercially unproven. "I talk to smart people that know what they're talking about, and
by Max Resnik (Indiana's News Center) Could E-85, the 85% ethanol based gasoline, prove to be the cure to curb the pain at the pump? In the Summit City, E-85, on average, is going for about $0.40 less per gallon. But
by Bill Brandon (Advanced Biofuels USA) On February 10 & 11, about 120 participants gathered in chilly Chicago for the first Municipal Solid Waste to Biofuels Summit presented by the British firm, Eye for Energy. The conference drew participants from
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced a new piece of legislation today, called the “Biofuels Market Expansion Act of 2011.” The bill, if passed, would ensure an increasing number of automobiles in the U.S. be flexible
by Dr. Maureen McCann (Professor, Purdue University) Dr. McCann begins by describing the different plant cell wall architectures belonging to various types of feedstock. She shows how different processing methods can be utilized to more efficiently process biomass into biofuel.
(USDA) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced new investments in 33 states to support the production and usage of advanced biofuels. Vilsack highlighted these projects as ways the Obama Administration is working to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil
(NewKerala.com) Purdue University researchers have made a discovery that could reduce the amount of water required for growing plants and help plants survive and thrive in adverse conditions. They have found a genetic mutation that allows a plant to better endure drought
by (AP/The Republic) ...The Lake County Solid Waste Management District board unanimously adopted a revised contract Thursday that strips away the county's ownership of the plant that Powers Energy of America wants to build near the town of Schneider. The Times of
by Marc Chase (The Times/istockanalyst.com) Lake County's public-private plan to transform trash to ethanol would generate an inferior fuel with a questionable future, a former National Science Foundation official and energy adviser to the federal government said. John Regalbuto, a chemical engineering
by Christine Kraly (NWITimes) Citing what's best for Lake County residents, a draft revised contract to bring a waste-to-ethanol plant to Schneider now puts the facility in the hands of its private operator. A proposed revision to the contract between the Lake County Solid Waste
(Chicago Tribune/AP) A decision by Congress on whether to extend or gradually phase out a tax credit to oil companies and refiners to blend ethanol with gasoline could make or break some of Indiana's 12 ethanol plants. A study by a
(EurekAlert!) Purdue University scientists have found the last undiscovered gene responsible for the production of the amino acid phenylalanine, a discovery that could lead to processes to control the amino acid to boost plants' nutritional values and produce better biofuel
by James Cartledge (BrighterEnergy.org) New research from Purdue University highlights the need to improve efficiencies in the logistics of cellulosic biomass feedstocks for ethanol production. A study from the university’s agricultural and biological engineering researchers found that turning cellulosic feedstocks like corn
by Diane Krieger Spivak (Post-Tribune) Earl Powers said he is ready to answer questions regarding his proposed nearly $300 million garbage-to-ethanol plant. Powers, president of Evansville-based Powers Energy of America, said Wednesday he will attend the Lake County Solid Waste Management District's
by Diane Krieger Spivak (Post-Tribune) If the town approves any of three recently opened trash hauling bids, residents here would likely pay 60 percent more to have their trash taken to a landfill than to a proposed garbage-to-ethanol plant. Town officials, who
(AgriMarketing/Purdue) Purdue University is receiving $1.59 million in federal funding for a project to conduct a sustainability assessment of energy crops for biofuels. The funding is part of a $16.5 million renewable fuel initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy to
by Diane Krieger Spivak (Post-Tribune) Project in south Lake County based on same technology. A proposed Florida bioethanol plant that will use the same process as a planned Schneider plant will use has been issued an air permit for the project. The
(JCOnline) ...But a new study from Purdue University, funded by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, suggests that farmers will have to make more money off corn cobs than is currently available to cover their costs and actually turn a profit
(US Department of Energy) U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced September 8, 2010, the investment of up to $16.5 million for two major research and development (R&D) initiatives that will support the expansion of renewable transportation fuels production. The first initiative
(Indianapolis Business Journal) Indianapolis-based bioengineering firm Xylogenics Inc. has licensed its proprietary yeast strain to a Milwaukee firm that is a supplier to the fuel-ethanol industry. It is the first such licensing agreement for Xylogenics. Lallemand Ethanol Technology will use Xylogenics’
(Indianapolis Business Journal) A subsidiary of Carmel-based Telamon Corp. that supplies racing teams with ethanol-based fuel made from Indiana corn has signed contracts giving it a distribution channel in 26 states. National Biofuels Distribution LLC began marketing the fuel, dubbed Ignite,
by Norman Cox (The Indy Channel) Five years ago, it was being promoted as a partial solution to the imported oil problem and a great opportunity for Indiana farmers, but E85 fuel hasn't taken off as its supporters had hoped. ...Thornton's
by Amber Stearns (WIBC) A federal stimulus grant through the U.S. Department of Energy will allow eight Indiana public and private agencies to convert over 900 work vehicles to use alternative fuels. The Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition and the Indiana
by Gary Truitt (Hoosier Ag Today) After a Sunday touring Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China, it was back to work Monday for the delegates on the Indiana Agricultural, Jobs and Investment Trade Mission. ...Next was a
(SweeterAlternative.com) Sugarcane ethanol is a clean, renewable fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 60% compared to gasoline and can save money at the pump. These are just a couple of the points delivered by various race drivers that compete
by Andy Eubank (Hoosier Ag Today) USDA Rural Development has a proposed rule on the table that would exclude the Louis Dreyfus biodiesel plant from USDA Advanced Biofuel Payment Program eligibility because of its foreign ownership. Many in Indiana, including
(Farm Futures) A recently completed analysis from Purdue University concluded that the California Air Resources Board overestimated the indirect land use change impact of grain-based ethanol by a factor of two in developing its Low Carbon Fuels Standard one year
by Bob Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) It is Memorial Day Weekend 2013, the annual Indianapolis 500 car race is attracting the largest crowd in years. The televison audience is also looking to be a record, and not everyone is tuning
by GTM Research in partnership with Enterprise Florida, Inc. In recent years, the growth in the U.S. biofuels production and consumption has been driven largely by policy measures. Mandates are requiring increasing amounts of biofuels to be blended into the
by Michelle Kautz (DomesticFuel.com) E85 infrastructure legislation that will extend grants of $100,000 up to 50% is one step closer to being a reality. According to BrighterEnergy.org, House Bill 1261 was voted through without opposition in the Indiana state Senate. The
by Phillip Fiorini (Purdue Newsroom) Student-led companies that develop consumer products from the byproducts of ethanol production and a tissue-healing technology that also reduces scarring took top honors at Purdue University's 23rd annual $100,000 Burton D. Morgan Business Plan Competition. ...TerraSolutions
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