Last week we compiled the work of nearly 40 industry professionals who helped review the 250-some abstracts submitted for presentations at the 2010 Fuel Ethanol Workshop, organizing them into potential panels. Creating 30 panels with four speakers each that address the most important industry topics is no small task....
Last week I was surprised to see a simple advertisement in the New York Times from Abengoa Bioenergy that linked to a presentation on their Web site where they’re taking on ethanol critics....
EPM associate editor Holly Jessen writes more about the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando in her guest blog....
The answer to the headlined question will be highly regional in its answer. Researchers at Michigan State University took a look at 10-year projections of economic returns on continuous corn versus various proposed biomass crops in their state. They included opportunity cost, which means it won’t be enough to just make a little money above expenses for a biomass crop to be successful. A successful new biomass crop will have to net close to a corn crop on the same land....
Last week was a good one for biofuels. EPA’s final rule to administer the revised renewable fuels standard was much improved over the proposed rule. While international indirect land use is still part of the equation, the revised model incorporated nearly all countries into the equation and improved the modeling for Brazil, in particular. Of course, many in the ethanol industry contend that indirect land use doesn’t belong in the GHG accounting equations at all, but at least its impact dropped in half....
Just a couple of light topics today: one a game and the other a UFO sighting. If you have kids or a school connection, check out www.MyAmericanFarm.org....
The life cycle analysis concept appears to be spreading. A report emerged this week that 60 corporations have volunteering to measure the full lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of consumer products from blue jeans to manufactured steel....
This week a coworker got a most clever SWAG. An invitation to the grand opening luncheon for Blendstar’s biofuel terminal in Collins, Miss., came as a one-quart paint can, with the invitation as the label. Inside the can there are Legos. Blendstar’s grand opening is good news for the industry. Infrastructure developments continue to be announced....
Speakers at CRFS advise shifting to economic framework, dialoguing with opponents......
Happy new year! For many of us, the new year offers a symbolic fresh start, and we’ve decided it is the right time for EPM to welcome a new editor - Sue Retka Schill....
The new greenhouse gas reporting requirements set by the U.S. EPA are scheduled to begin next week, but there appears to still be some confusion as to ethanol’s participation in the program. As late as last week, I received inquiries from ethanol-related companies concerning the specifics of the reporting rule....
Is it just me, or has this year gone by too quickly? It seems that every conversation at this time of year will inevitably include a similar sentiment as people reflect on all that has happened throughout the course of the year. For many of us, the holiday season offers a chance to say “goodbye, and good riddance” to 2009. It’s been a difficult year for everyone, but the good news is: we made it! And conditions are primed to improve in 2010....
