People need to be reminded that "the most efficient source of ethanol" is regionally specific. Corn makes sense in the Midwest, which is called the Corn Belt for a reason. The climate and soils provide an ideal environment for corn.
It's a Dirty Job …
By Rona Johnson
May 14, 2010
When I was a young mother I often wondered what could be done with used disposable diapers. It seemed like such a waste to just throw them into the trash, where they would eventually end up languishing in some landfill for years.
It will be interesting for the renewable energy sector to see what the USDA learns from a new survey. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said last week the USDA will be survey the nation's 20,000 farms and ranches to learn what they're doing in renewable energy and biofuels.
International Biomass Conference & Expo a Ringing Success
By Rona Johnson
May 07, 2010
The International Biomass Conference & Expo is just wrapping up as I am writing this and I wish it would go on for another couple of days so that I could visit with more people. Thanks to the many attendees, speakers and exhibitors, the conference was great. About 1,700 people attended and nearly 300 companies and organizations filled the exhibit hall.
I'm still struggling to come back to earth after my trip to Poet's ethanol plant in Macon, Mo., last week. The fact that President Barack Obama visited an ethanol plant means a lot to the whole industry—and it means a lot to us here at Ethanol Producer Magazine too. It means ethanol, including corn ethanol, is on his radar.
See You at the Biomass Conference
By Rona Johnson
April 30, 2010
As many of you probably know Biomass Magazine's International Biomass Conference & Expo is being held in Minneapolis next week.
Twinning due to DDGS?
April 26, 2010
Here's a new sales pitch for distillers grains—it might increase the number of twins born to your herd.
Some Things to Think About
By Rona Johnson
April 23, 2010
I just read an article by Ross Martin on the Illinois Farm Bureau's Web site "Landlord-tenant rights become biomass contract issue." The article brings up the question: Who owns crop residue the landowner or the tenant? This could be a major issue as crop residue become more valuable in the energy sector.
The comment period was opened April 16 on another set of rules to administer renewable energy programs, this time by the USDA. While not quite in the same league as the renewable fuel standard, a close review of the proposed rules will be important. Making these programs useable by first and second generation ethanol producers is important—and sometimes, only those that want to use the programs can spot the fatal flaws and unintended consequences of some rules.
April Showers Good News on the Biomass Industry
By Rona Johnson
April 16, 2010
After last week's rant about how the U.S. is lagging behind some other countries, namely Scotland, in generating renewable energy with biomass and how important it is for states to have renewable energy standards (RES), this week I'd like to point out some positive developments. From the look of things, April is shaping up to be a pretty good month for biomass.
New System, New Start For All Things RIN
By Luke Geiver and Holly Jessen
April 15, 2010
With all the changes to the renewable identification number (RIN) system, many have been scrambling to understand and comply.
2010 FEW Preview
April 15, 2010
In June, the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) returns to St. Louis, where its rich tradition of linking industry and innovation was born 26 years ago.
Advertisement
@ Copyright 2026 - BBI International - All rights reserved.