In Other Media Blog

British Project Could Turn Household Waste into Fuel

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:11:00 GMT

A British chemical company is beginning an advanced bio-ethanol feasibility study that will examine converting locally generated biodegradable household and commercial wastes into carbon-neutral road transport fuel and clean energy, Checkbiotech reported.

Harnessing the Fuel from the Gods (Algae)

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:09:00 GMT

Though algae-produced biofuel is estimated to be at least five to 10 years from commercialization, some believe the algae industry has the potential to be the saving grace of humanity, according to Good Magazine.

Genomes of Biofuel Yeasts Reveal Clues That Could Boost Fuel Ethanol Production Worldwide

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:08:00 GMT

By analyzing the genome structures of bioethanol-producing microorganisms, scientists are discovering genetic clues they say will be critical in developing new technologies to implement biofuel production on a global scale, Ethioplanet reported.

California Ethanol Plant Keeps Renewable Energy Local

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:08:00 GMT

The Calgren Renewable Fuels LLC plant is now open in the San Joaquin Valley, the only large-scale ethanol plant in operation in California, NACS Online reported. The 55-million-gallon plant is expected to help California meet low-carbon fuel requirements, as it produces a low level of greenhouse gases as compared with projections for plants of its type.

Wet Ethanol Production Process Yields More Ethanol, Co-Products

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:53:00 GMT

University of Illinois researchers have found that using a wet ethanol production method that begins by soaking corn kernels rather than grinding them, according to Science Daily, results in more gallons of ethanol and more usable co-products -- by about 20 percent.

Broward County, Fla., Officials Start Over on Fuel Project

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:52:00 GMT

Broward County, Fla., officials have decided to start over on picking a company to upgrade and run fuel storage tanks at Port Everglades, Fla., according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, almost one year after the county began to look for a contractor on the project.

California Dairies Wrestle with Animal Welfare Standards

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:51:00 GMT

California dairy farmers -- like many livestock farmers across the country -- are struggling to operate with animal rights, groups, consumers and retailers are increasingly demanding animal welfare standards to ensure their animals are treated humanely, the Fresno Bee reported.

Turning Ice Cream into a Functional Food

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:51:00 GMT

University of Missouri researchers are turning ice cream into a functional food that is healthy, according to EMax Health. Researchers are working on creating ice cream that contains added nutrients such as probiotics and fiber that can improve digestive health, as well as antioxidants.

NZ Lawmaker Sculpted in Cow Manure

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:48:00 GMT

A sculpture of New Zealand Environment Minister Nick Smith crafted from cow manure brought $2,220 on an auction website, according to the Associated Press. The bust was sculpted by artist Sam Mahon as a protest against what he considers Smith's too-soft stance on pollution created by dairy farms.

Industry Pushes Chocolate Milk in Schools

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:47:00 GMT

Some educators and obesity activists are not pleased with the push to keep chocolate milk on school lunch menus by the creators of the "Got Milk?" campaign, the Associated Press reported. The "Raise your hand for chocolate milk" campaign begins Monday with an ad in USA Today and the launch of a website asking for signatures on a petition supporting chocolate milk in school.

Brazilian Government Considers Cuts to Ethanol Mix

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:46:00 GMT

Brazil's government is considering a cut in the required ethanol blend from 25 percent to 20 percent, according to easybourse.com, that would help increase availability of the biofuel and reduce ethanol prices.

N.D. Biomass Project Moves Forward

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:45:00 GMT

Spiritwood, N.D.-based Great River Energy's new power plant expects to begin operations in 2010, according to Ag Week, but the company continues to work on securing biomass-based partnerships. Sandra Broekema, manager of business development for Great River Energy of Maple Grove, Minn., and Greg Ridderbusch, vice president of business development and strategy, recently talked about the company's plans at "The Future of Coal and Biomass in a Carbon-Constrained World" at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

Elderly Widow Sentenced to Prison for Refusing to Vacate Her Farm in Zimbabwe

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:22:00 GMT

A 79-year-old widow was sentenced on Friday to three months behind bars for refusing to vacate her dairy farm that has been her home for 50 years, SW Radio Africa reported. The sentence will be suspended on the condition that she vacates the farm by Dec.

Hungarian Dairy Farmers Stage Gory Protest Against Low Milk Prices

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:21:00 GMT

In protest of milk market condition, Hungarian dairy farmers placed 12 severed cow's heads in front of the country's Agriculture Ministry Thursday morning, as well as pouring milk on the street, according to Real Deal.

Ants May Provide Cellulosic-Ethanol Solution

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:21:00 GMT

Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center researchers in Madison, Wis., are looking at leafcutter ants because of their ability to consume biomass quickly using a variety of enzymes, according to Ethanol Producer Magazine, for new enzymatic processes that could be used to commercialize cellulosic ethanol.