Domestic Fuel

The U.S. Department of Energy has released an ambitious new research agenda for the development of cellulosic ethanol as an alternative to gasoline. According to a DOE release, the 200-page scientific “roadmap” cites recent advances in biotechnology that have made cost-effective production of ethanol from cellulose, or inedible plant fiber, an attainable goal. The report outlines a detailed research plan for developing new technologies to transform cellulosic ethanol—a renewable, cleaner-burning, and carbon-neutral alternative to gasoline—into an economically viable transportation fuel.

Biodiesel has hit the big time – it’s in the dictionary now. The National Biodiesel Board is pleased that the word “biodiesel” appears in the 2006 update of the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition . This marks the first time that it has appeared in the dictionary, and signifies that biodiesel is becoming a household word. What’s more, word has it that Merriam-Webster put biodiesel on the short list of examples of new words added to the dictionary. That means “biodiesel” joins the ranks of “ringtone,” “soul patch” and “supersize” in drumming up interest in modern lexicography.

A British company is using poultry litter to fuel power plants in the US. Fibrowatt, based in Philadephia, has projects planned or under development in poultry-growing states across the country, including Minnesota, Maryland, Mississippi and North Carolina. According to the company’s website, Fibrowatt Ltd built the world’s first three poultry litter fueled power plants and has licensed its technology to Fibrowatt LLC for the US market.

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt is signing the state’s new ethanol bill several times over this week. The governor is visiting with corn growers from the southeast to the northwest part of the state for ceremonial bill signings, mostly in areas where ethanol plants are planned or in operation. The legislation requires gasoline sold in Missouri to contain 10 percent ethanol (E-10) by 2008.

“I am pleased to sign this bill giving Missourians access to the affordable, homegrown gasoline they want and that they can be proud to use when they fill their tanks,” Blunt said. “This renewable fuel standard benefits consumers, our economy, the environment, and Missouri farmers.”

Blunt signed the bill in Webb City, St. Joseph, Kirksville, Palmyra, and St. Louis on Wednesday, and will be in Laddonia, Macon and Malta Bend on Thursday.

In the photo by Ron Graber of the Carthage Press, Kayla Garrison of the Carthage FFA receives a copy of the new ethanol bill from Governor Blunt during Wednesday’s signing ceremony in Webb City.

California-based Western Milling, and venture capital firm Khosla Ventures have announced the formation of Cilion, a company that will operate modular, standardized 55 million gallons per year ethanol plants. According to a release, the new company would use a variety of innovations to make plants that are cheaper and greener than standard corn-to-ethanol plants, substantially reducing the need for fossil fuels in ethanol production. Cilion plans to have 8 plant units in production by 2008 for a total of 440 million gallons per year capacity. The first three plants are expected to be in California.

The Senate Energy Committee has approved $1 million for an ethanol demonstration project in Hawaii. Committee member Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) announced the project in a press release this week, saying the “appropriation is significant because the State of Hawaii passed a law that went into effect in April 2006, requiring at least 10 percent of all gas sold in Hawaii contain an ethanol blend.” The $1 million gives the State of Hawaii the ability to start on research and development of sugar-to-ethanol, which is one way to create ethanol.

2006 may someday be known as the year our nation made a Declaration of Energy Indepedence.

When we declared our independence 230 years ago, there were many difficulties and hardships for the people of the new nation to face – not the least of which was a war. By cutting ourselves off from England we had to become more self-sufficient, and in many cases that involved sacrifice.

People complain about ethanol being less fuel efficient than gasoline, that it uses too much fertilizer or natural gas or water to make, that there’s not enough or it’s too expensive right now. But, it is made in America. The fossil fuels that we have been dependent on as a nation to fuel our vehicles are NOT. That is the real reason we are trying to make this happen and it won’t happen overnight. Our independence as a country did not happen overnight. It required effort, sacrifice, ingenuity, and the courage to make a change, even if it costs more.

Is ethanol the one and only answer to our energy independence? Absolutely not. Can we improve upon its shortcomings in terms of fuel efficiency, production and availability? Absolutely. Good old American know-how can make it happen. Cellulosic ethanol can address many of the issues and it is not too far down the road. And let’s not forget the other alternatives like biodiesel, biobutanol, hydrogen, etc. AND, we do need to learn how to conserve fuel by using less of it.

Domestic Fuel made in America is helping us on the road to energy independent as a nation. We grow our own food, we can grow our own fuel also. God bless America.

Have a very happy 4th of July celebration wherever you are.

Here in America’s heartland it was nice to see a little rain happen early. We needed it. Now hopefully it will clear up so we can get outside and relax a while.

Safe travel if you’re on the road today or anytime this week.

DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation have announced plans to double the annual production of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) to two million by the year 2010.

According to an Illinois Corn Growers release, the auto manufacturers pledged this commitment last week in a letter addressed to members of Congress signed by Chrysler Group President and CEO, Tom LaSorda, Ford Motor Company Chairman and CEO, Bill Ford and General Motors Chairman and CEO, Rick Wagoner. They indicated that through additional production of these vehicles, the country can help secure energy independence. They also indicated that the increase in production of FFVs can not do this job alone; the government must assist in allowing incentives for alternative fuel infrastructure and the price of E85 must be competitive to gasoline.

Read the complete letter here.

Team Ethanol had an honorary pit crew member this weekend in Kansas City. It was a dream come true for 21-year-old Casey Brickey, who suffers from a progressive form of muscular dystrophy. Last year Brickey teamed up with the ethanol industry to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association to fuel the fight for a cure. The ethanol industry donated $20,000 and helped raise additional funds through matching dollars and donations. For his efforts, the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council sent Brickey and his family on the all-inclusive trip to the Kansas Speedway for a day in the pits with Team Ethanol.

Casey and Jeff Simmons took time out Saturday to pose for a pit pic.

Willie Nelson is celebrating our nation’s energy independence this week in Carl’s Corner, Texas with opening of his joint venture production plant, Pacific Biodiesel Texas.

According to a National Biodiesel Board release, Nelson and Pacific Biodiesel decided to open the plant during the July 4th holiday week because, as Nelson put it, “this will be a true Texas Independence Day.” The July 3 celebration of the plant opening will be held in conjunction with an all day concert at Carl’s Corner, a replica of Nelson’s annual 4th of July picnic at the Stockyards in Fort Worth. The event and concert will likely draw 10 to 15 thousand people.

It was a hot one at the Kansas Speedway today for the Kansas Lottery Indy 300. Jeff Simmons had a great day, finishing 10th after starting out in the number 17 position.

Here he is pulling off the track yesterday after some practice laps.

Once again ethanol is a winner no matter which car won (Sam Hornish Jr. today).

I have to say that when you hear an Indy car cranking it up on the track it does get your pulse racing along with it.

This morning was practice lap time for the Indy cars. Here’s Jeff Simmons in the pit after a couple laps. He was hitting 209 MPH last I looked.

Tomorrow’s race is relatively early and can be seen on ABC at 1pm central time.

For a preview you can watch the #17 car come by during a practice lap here: Jeff Simmons Practice Lap (30 sec WMV)

Out at Kansas Speedway early on a Performance Weekend Saturday I found the ethanol symbol everywhere you look.

Here’s where the fuel comes from for the race cars. It’s only 10 percent this year but going up to 100 percent next year.

It’s my first time at this racetrack. Very nice and compact and easy to get in and out of. The media staff were very friendly and helpful for this newbie.

Keep an eye on tv for the race and cheer on number 17 if you can.

After leaving Washington, DC and the convoy I’ve been travelling with for the last 2 weeks it was on to Kansas City for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council’s “Performance Weekend.” This is a weekend of activities for EPIC members that includes Sunday’s Kansas Lottery Indy 300 race.

Here’s some members from Sterling (Colorado) Ethanol, which is building a plant in Yuma, CO checking in prior to the evening welcome reception.

Also on hand was Rahal-Letterman team driver, Jeff Simmons. Jeff will be driving the #17 Ethanol Car in tomorrow’s race.

I asked Jeff how things are going and what ethanol has meant from a competitiveness standpoint in the season so far.

He says that one effect seems to be less engine problems and attributes that to the cleaner burning ethanol blend they’re using in the Indy cars this year.

Here’s my interview with Jeff: Jeff Simmons Interview (3 min MP3)

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