Biomass Magazine

On the cusp of a renewable energy future, the American Council on Renewable Energy is attempting to reach every policy-maker in Washington, D.C. The end result could be a more energy diverse and efficient nation.

BioTown, USA: Hometown Security

By Anduin Kirkbride McElroy

July 20, 2007

Ethanol plants usually bring jobs and rural development to a community, but in Reynolds, Ind., local energy independence is the goal. Ethanol production will be just one part of a communitywide biomass utilization system better known as BioTown, USA.

Feeling the Heat: Firefighters Face Ethanol Boom

By Jerry W. Kram

July 20, 2007

The ethanol boom has led to many changes in towns and cities across the Midwest. More jobs and economic growth are welcome, but the billions of gallons of fuel being produced also mean a greater possibility for incidents at plants or while shipping ethanol to urban markets. Both emergency responders and the industry need to take steps to be prepared.

Maximizing Corn's Ethanol Yield

By Dave Nilles

July 20, 2007

Industry experts continue to develop innovative techniques for improving ethanol production. From field to fuel tank, the industry is devising new ways to analyze performance and improve yields.

Developing a Biofuels Rating System

By Susanne Retka Schill

July 20, 2007

Producing four-star biofuels may give producers a leg up when the United States develops a carbon cap-and-trade system. Methods to quantify greenhouse gas emissions and rate biofuels are being proposed and tested in an attempt to incorporate the multiple facets of cropping systems, conversion processes and industry and consumer needs.

Fuel School

By Bryan Sims

July 20, 2007

Judging by the crowd at the FEW's annual Ethanol 101 workshop, there are still plenty of people interested in producing ethanol.

Web Exclusive: To Market, to Market

By Craig A. Johnson

July 20, 2007

Transportation, whether it involves moving corn, distillers grains or ethanol, can be a daunting task for ethanol producers. At the FEW, several sessions focused on managing logistics through the comprehension of fundamentals in the rail and feedstock arenas.

The Weather Man

By Tom Bryan

July 20, 2007

At the 19th Annual Energy Conference, Iowa State University climatologist Elwynn Taylor shared his near-term forecast, along with his broader views on greenhouse gases, global warming and the very real possibility of a future chock-full of erratic weather.

In the News

By Rona Johnson

July 20, 2007

White Energy Holding Co. LLC made the Holland evening news this spring after a television news crew toured its Russell, Kan., ethanol facility and interviewed company executives and plant staff. The purpose of the visit was to educate viewers in Holland about the renewable fuel and to give them a sense of the depth and breadth of the U.S. ethanol industry.

The Rumplestiltskin of Rice Straw

By Ron Kotrba

July 20, 2007

Given the engineering green light, Colusa Biomass Energy Corp. readies to break ground on its first commercial rice-straw refinery in California. Executives of the publicly traded startup tell Ethanol Producer Magazine of their incredible long-term vision and the steps needed to see it through.

At the Corner of Jackson & LaSalle

By Nicholas Zeman

July 20, 2007

After two years of offering services and products for ethanol, the Chicago Board of Trade is helping stabilize the industry and hosting producers as they conduct risk management operations, including long-term sales negotiations and grain procurement. EPM visited the commodities market to the world in May to observe the operation.