• US$3.2 Million Grant Funds Effort to Convert Poplar Trees into Biofuel

• U.S. Spot Ethanol: Movement Slows
• Ethanol Equities: ADM, BG Slide; ANDE Up
• The Andersons, Inc. Announces Increased Cash Dividend for the Second Quarter, Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results
• Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc.: Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock
• Deutsche Bank and NASDAQ Introduce the Clean Tech Index; U.S. Biofuel Companies Left Out

• Global Climate Deal Unlikely Any Time Soon: EU Commissioner
• U.S. Congress Moves Forward on Job Creation Efforts
• U.S. EPA May Soften ‘Greenhouse’ Regs for Refiners, Coal-Power Plants
• Advanced Biofuels USA Suggests Funding Source for Advanced Biofuels: USDOT Highway Trust Fund

• Ricardo Consortium Aims to Meet Engineering Challenge of Biofuels
• Orange Peels Used in New Enzymatic Ethanol Production Process
• National Labs Examine Roasting Biomass to Increase Energy Density
• Iowa State University Researcher Focuses on Stacking Traits in Algae
• DuPont Recognized as Among Most ‘Innovative’ Companies
• Naturally Advanced Technologies, National Research Council of Canada to Research Cellulosic Ethanol

• US$20 Million Investment in Propel Fuels to Expand Calif. Alternative Fuel Station Network
• BlueFire Ethanol Applies for DOE Loan Guarantee
• ClearFuels Announces Commercial Scale Biorefinery Facility
• Sunoco's New York Ethanol Plant Seen Starting Up This Summer
• ClearFuels Inks Renewable Diesel Project Deal in Tennessee
• Verenium and BP Extend Galaxy Joint Development Program Another Month
• Minnesota Offers Help to Ethanol Producers After Pollution Violations
• Syntroleum Posts Profit for 2009; ’Dynamic Fuels’ Start-up This Year
• Custom Q, Inc. Changes Name to GreenHouse Holdings, Inc.
• Formal Clearance for Glencore Takeover of Biopetrol
• Incoming, Inc. Extends Closing Date of North American Bio-Energies LLC Acquisition
• Imperial Announces Agreement to Acquire e-biofuels, LLC
• Evolution Fuels Announces Lease Agreement for First Fuel Station in Dallas
• U.S. Ethanol Output Up in December
• Saft Energy to Support Power Grid Switch to Hybrid Generation
• Renewable Fuel Standards Could Lead to US$13 Billion Increase in Farm Income
• E85 Price Promotion for Sacramento Drivers

• Waste Management Invests in Enerkem
• Lignol, Novozymes Sign MOU
• Mitsui and Inbicon Sign First Licensing Agreement to Refine Biomass into Ethanol
• Dutch Companies to Invest in Malian Biofuel Programs
• eBIO: Claims in ActionAid Publication Largely Questionable
• Toyota Tsusho Plans Biodiesel Hub in Philippines
• Developers Target Ukraine for Integrated Feedstock and Biofuel Refinery
• Butalco’s First Cellulosic Ethanol to be Produced in Summer 2010
• British Airways Unveils BTL-FT Jet Fuel Plan
• JAMA Releases Recommended Biofuel Specifications
• China Won’t Cap GHGs: Officials

Global Climate Deal Unlikely Any Time Soon: EU Commissioner

The new European Union climate commissioner, Connie Hedegaard, is skeptical any global greenhouse deal is likely any time soon in the wake of the mostly failed Copenhagen talks.

U.S. Congress Moves Forward on Job Creation Efforts

The U.S. Senate passed a modest job-creation bill Feb. 24 and laid the groundwork for a larger package that would advance Democrats' goal of bringing down the stubbornly high unemployment rate, Reuters reported the same day.

U.S. EPA May Soften ‘Greenhouse’ Regs for Refiners, Coal-Power Plants

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson on Feb. 22 unveiled a letter sent to eight U.S. senators indicating a possible easing of future greenhouse-gas regulations affecting refiners, coal-fired power plants and other large stationary sources.

Advanced Biofuels USA Suggests Funding Source for Advanced Biofuels: USDOT Highway Trust Fund

At its annual meeting in Frederick, Md., the Advanced Biofuels USA board passed a resolution to introduce some new thinking about federal interests and potential funding sources, the organization announced Feb. 25.

Ricardo Consortium Aims to Meet Engineering Challenge of Biofuels

Ricardo announced Feb. 15 the formation of a consortium that is open to automakers, Tier 1 suppliers, oil companies, additive manufacturers and government agencies, with the aim of evaluating the impact of biofuels on current and future light-duty engine technologies.

Orange Peels Used in New Enzymatic Ethanol Production Process

University of Central Florida professor Henry Daniell has developed a groundbreaking way to produce ethanol from waste products such as orange peels and newspapers, the university announced Feb. 18.

National Labs Examine Roasting Biomass to Increase Energy Density

Biorefineries may soon rely on a process akin to roasting coffee beans to get more energy-dense biomass, Idaho National Laboratory reported Feb. 23.

Iowa State University Researcher Focuses on Stacking Traits in Algae

Iowa State University (ISU) researcher Martin Spalding, a professor and chair of genetics, development and cell biology as well as council member of Iowa State's Plant Sciences Institute, is researching the possibility of stacking genetic traits in algae, according to a Feb. 22 ISU release.

DuPont Recognized as Among Most ‘Innovative’ Companies

DuPont has made the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Technology Review magazine’s TR50, the publication’s inaugural list of the 50 most innovative companies in the world. DuPont was recognized for its efforts to develop and commercialize biobutanol with partner BP.

Naturally Advanced Technologies, National Research Council of Canada to Research Cellulosic Ethanol

Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. announced Feb. 22 that it has amended its agreement with the National Research Council of Canada to include collaboration on cellulose technology research for the production of cellulosic ethanol from sustainable feedstock, such as corn stalks and straws.

U.S. Spot Ethanol: Movement Slows

Spot ethanol market movement evened out the week ending Feb. 26.

Ethanol Equities: ADM, BG Slide; ANDE Up

On the equity market the week ending Feb. 26, Archer Daniels Midland and Bunge fell, while The Andersons headed up.

The Andersons, Inc. Announces Increased Cash Dividend for the Second Quarter, Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

The Andersons, Inc. announced Feb. 26 a second quarter 2010 cash dividend payable April 22, 2010 to shareholders of record on April 1, 2010. Last month, the company also announced fourth quarter 2009 earnings of US$16.2 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, and total revenues of $916 million.

Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc.: Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock

Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc. announced Feb. 24 that it is undertaking a proposed offering of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock.

Deutsche Bank and NASDAQ Introduce the Clean Tech Index; U.S. Biofuel Companies Left Out

DB Climate Change Advisors (DBCCA), the climate change investment and research business of Deutsche Bank's Asset Management business, and The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. announced Feb. 10 the introduction of the DB NASDAQ OMX(R) Clean Tech Index (DBCC).

Waste Management Invests in Enerkem

Waste Management, Inc. and Enerkem Inc., announced Feb. 24 a strategic investment by Waste Management in Enerkem as part of Enerkem’s new financing round.

Lignol, Novozymes Sign MOU

Vancouver-based Lignol Energy Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding with enzyme producer Novozymes and the two companies have established the framework of a multiyear collaboration agreement to optimize the latest generation of Novozymes’ enzymes for use in Lignol’s cellulosic biofuel process, Biomass Magazine reported Feb. 24.

Mitsui and Inbicon Sign First Licensing Agreement to Refine Biomass into Ethanol

Japan’s Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (MES) and Danish ethanol technology developer Inbicon announced Feb. 28 the signing of a license agreement for Inbicon’s Biomass Refinery technology.

Dutch Companies to Invest in Malian Biofuel Programs

Under a program recently launched by Kia Netherlands, Kia car buyers can now give financial compensation for the greenhouse gases emitted by their cars, Africa News reported Feb. 18.

eBIO: Claims in ActionAid Publication Largely Questionable

ActionAid recently published a report against biofuels titled “Meals per Gallons” (see Ethanol & Biofuels News 02/24/2010), which the European Bioethanol Industry Association (eBIO) said is “based largely on unfounded claims, disputed data and one-sided arguments,” according to a response from the organization Feb. 26.

Toyota Tsusho Plans Biodiesel Hub in Philippines

According to a Feb. 25 report from the Manila Times, Toyota Tsusho Corp. is planning to establish a hub in the Philippines in two years’ time, a company executive said Feb. 24.

Developers Target Ukraine for Integrated Feedstock and Biofuel Refinery

Alternativa (IOM) Ltd. and GreenShift Corp. jointly announced Feb. 23 that they have entered into an agreement to design and develop sustainable integrated feedstock and renewable energy production facilities, the first of which is planned for Ukraine.

Butalco’s First Cellulosic Ethanol to be Produced in Summer 2010

Butalco announced Feb. 24 that it will use its proprietary new yeast technology to produce biofuel from agricultural waste in a pilot plant in Southern Germany this summer.

British Airways Unveils BTL-FT Jet Fuel Plan

British Airways officials announced Feb. 15 that they’ve inked a fuel-purchase letter-of-intent deal with Washington, D.C.-based Solena Group, which plans to build a plasma-gasification, biomass-to-liquids Fischer-Tropsch jet fuel waste-to-energy plant in London.

JAMA Releases Recommended Biofuel Specifications

The International Fuel Quality Center on March 2 reported that the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association recently held a meeting with stakeholders of the Asian automotive industry proposing to use “recommended biofuel specifications for B100 (applicable for up to B5 blends) and E100 (applicable for up to E10 blends).”

China Won’t Cap GHGs: Officials

China’s top climate change negotiators indicated Feb. 25 that while they are committed to realizing the nation’s target to reduce carbon intensity, they have no intention of capping greenhouse gases.

US$20 Million Investment in Propel Fuels to Expand Calif. Alternative Fuel Station Network

Propel Fuels in February announced a US$20 million investment in the company, which will allow Propel to expand its network of alternative fuel stations into all major markets across California, supporting the state’s emissions reduction goals and stimulating job growth.

BlueFire Ethanol Applies for DOE Loan Guarantee

BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc. has submitted an application for a US$250 million dollar loan guarantee for the company's planned cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Fulton, Miss., according to a Feb. 23 statement.

ClearFuels Announces Commercial Scale Biorefinery Facility

ClearFuels Technology Inc. and Hughes Hardwood International, Inc. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the development of a commercial scale biorefinery facility for the production of renewable jet or diesel fuel, the companies reported Feb. 24.

Sunoco's New York Ethanol Plant Seen Starting Up This Summer

Telvent DTN reported Feb. 25 that Sunoco, Inc. plans to start up its 100-million-gallon-per-year ethanol plant in upstate New York this summer.

ClearFuels Inks Renewable Diesel Project Deal in Tennessee

Officials with Hawaii-based biomass gasification specialist ClearFuels Technology and Southeast U.S. lumber company Hughes Hardwood announced Feb. 23 they’ve signed a memo of understanding to develop a renewable-diesel biorefinery in Tennessee.

Verenium and BP Extend Galaxy Joint Development Program Another Month

Verenium Corp. announced March 1 that it has extended the joint development program established in August 2008 with partner BP for an additional month until April 1, 2010.

Minnesota Offers Help to Ethanol Producers After Pollution Violations

Minnesota is launching an intensive program to help ethanol producers better comply with environmental laws after pollution control officials cited seven of the state's 22 ethanol plants for violations last year, Minnesota Public Radio reported Feb. 22.

Syntroleum Posts Profit for 2009; ’Dynamic Fuels’ Start-up This Year

After posting a US$4.1 million net loss in 2008, Oklahoma-based synthetic fuels developer Syntroleum posted a $5 million profit in 2009, according to company officials.

Custom Q, Inc. Changes Name to GreenHouse Holdings, Inc.

California-based energy solutions and ethanol fuel provider Custom Q, Inc. announced Feb. 22 its name change to GreenHouse Holdings, Inc.

Formal Clearance for Glencore Takeover of Biopetrol

Commodities trading group Glencore has received approval from competition authorities to take over biodiesel producer Biopetrol Industries, Biopetrol announced Feb. 23.

Incoming, Inc. Extends Closing Date of North American Bio-Energies LLC Acquisition

Incoming, Inc., a brand acceleration firm, announced March 1 that it will extend the closing date of its recently announced acquisition of North American Bio-Energies LLC.

Imperial Announces Agreement to Acquire e-biofuels, LLC

Oil and gas exploration and production company Imperial Petroleum, Inc. announced Feb. 25 that it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the stock of e-biofuels, LLC, an Indiana-based biodiesel producer.

Evolution Fuels Announces Lease Agreement for First Fuel Station in Dallas

Evolution Fuels Inc. announced March 1 the execution of a lease agreement for the company’s first fuel station located in Dallas.

U.S. Ethanol Output Up in December

According to the Energy Information Administration, “U.S. daily ethanol output rose in December for the third month in a row as distillers took advantage of low prices for corn and natural gas,” Reuters reported Feb. 26.

Saft Energy to Support Power Grid Switch to Hybrid Generation

Saft Energy is currently delivering a major contract for a 3-megawatt (MW) energy storage system that will ensure a continuous supply of grid electricity from the world’s largest hybrid wind/biodiesel power project to date on the Caribbean island of Bonaire, the company reported Feb. 19.

Renewable Fuel Standards Could Lead to US$13 Billion Increase in Farm Income

New renewable fuel standards could lead to more than US$13 billion increase in net farm income, according to a new study by researchers at RTI International and Texas A&M University, a March 1 release reported.

E85 Price Promotion for Sacramento Drivers

Propel Fuels, a retailer of renewable fuels, will offer Sacramento, Calif., drivers E85 ethanol for 85¢ per gallon at its five area stations starting Feb. 24. The goal is to create awareness among more than 25,000 flex-fuel drivers in Sacramento of the economic savings and environmental benefits of fueling with domestically-produced, low-carbon fuel.

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