United States 2008/09 corn ending stocks are projected higher this month as higher carryin and reductions in food, seed, and industrial use more than offset lower production and higher feed and residual use. Harvested area is raised 100,000 acres based on the June 30 Acreage report. Production, however, is projected 20 million bushels lower at 11.715 billion as the projected yield is lowered 0.5 bushels per acre. As indicated in the Acreage report, heavy June rains and flooding reduced the share of harvested area in the higher- yielding Corn Belt states. Feed and residual use for 2008/09 is raised 50 million bushels based on higher expected pork and poultry production in the first half of the 2008/09 marketing year. Food, seed, and industrial use is lowered 65 million bushels, in line with changes to the 2007/08 marketing year. Ending stocks are projected 160 million bushels higher at 833 million. The 2008/09 marketing year average price received by producers is projected at $5.50 to $6.50 per bushel, up 20 cents on each end of the range. The tighter balance sheet for soybeans and higher soybean prices are expected to drive competition for 2009 acreage keeping cash and futures corn prices relatively strong, but below recent record levels. Ending stocks for 2007/08 are projected 165 million bushels higher with food, seed, and industrial use lowered 65 million bushels and feed and residual use lowered 100 million bushels. Ethanol corn use for 2007/08 is lowered 50 million bushels based on reported delays in plant startups and construction, as well as lower expected plant capacity utilization as indicated by the most recent ethanol production data...more
VeraSun Energy Corp. (NYSE: VSE), one of the nation’s largest ethanol producers, announced today that Gordon Ommen has resigned as the Company’s Chairman. Duane Gilliam will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. He joined the board in 2005 and currently serves as Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. “I understand and respect Gordon’s decision to step down from the Board to focus on other business opportunities,” said Don Endres, VeraSun’s founder and chief executive officer. “He has helped both teams transition following the merger and provided valuable, thoughtful leadership to the Board. We wish him much success with his future ventures.”...more
USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin - Highlights: Growing conditions took a turn for the worse in the Midwest, despite a marked warming trend. Weekly rainfall totaled at least 4 inches, with isolated totals of 8 inches or more, from the middle Missouri Valley into southern Wisconsin and from central Illinois into the middle Ohio Valley. The torrential Midwestern rain caused widespread river and lowland flooding, halted planting and replanting operations, and washed out some fields. However, Midwestern crops that escaped flooding were aided by the season's first heat wave, which boosted weekly temperatures as much as 5 to 10 degrees F above normal in the southern and eastern Corn Belt. Hot weather also developed elsewhere across the southeastern half of the nation, but chilly conditions persisted across the northern Plains and much of the West...more
Cool weather plagued the Midwestern and Northeastern States, holding weekly temperatures 4 to 12 degrees F below normal and limiting summer crop emergence and development. In addition, showers hampered fieldwork across the southern half of the Corn Belt, but mostly dry weather favored corn and soybean planting in the Great Lakes region. Farther west, heavy rain pounded the northern and central Plains, with at least 4 inches reported in many locations from Montana to Kansas. Although rain generally aided the Plains' winter wheat and emerged summer crops, thunderstorms produced local damage due to large hail, high winds, and isolated tornadoes.
In fact, more than 100 tornadoes struck the central Plains on May 22-23, according to preliminary reports, followed by approximately 50 tornadoes from the southern High Plains into the upper Midwest on May 25. Meanwhile, warm weather promoted rapid crop development across the South, although showers- mainly from the Delta to the southern Atlantic Coast-caused some delays in cotton and peanut planting and other late-spring fieldwork. In southern Florida, however, rain aided wildfire containment efforts. Heat was especially notable in Texas, where temperatures mostly ranged from 4 to 8 degrees F above normal. In contrast, chilly weather returned to the West, accompanied by widespread rain and snow. Precipitation was particularly heavy in the northern Rockies, while showers across the interior Northwest aided winter grains and spring-sown crops. On May 22-23, snow was reported as far south as Arizona, where Flagstaff received 5 inches...more
Congress (Senate and House) passed the $290 billion farm bill Thursday.
President Bush had vetoed the legislation earlier in the week. However, a clerical error will keep the bill from going into effect.
The Senate voted 82-13 to override the President's veto, and the House voted 316-108 to override the veto. Both override votes exceeded the two-thirds majority required by the Constitution.
Adding drama with the passage is the fact that a portion of the bill is in legal limbo. Before the House override vote, they determined that the version sent to the White House last week was missing a part, and the President vetoed the bill without the missing section. The missing section, "Title III," pertains to authorized trade and food aid has raised questions regarding the veto and the override.
Key biofuels sections, which are now law, include:
Reauthorizes the federal procurement of biobased products program: The program requires federal agencies to purchase biobased products whenever possible. The program also requires USDA to develop guidelines for biobased products and issue a label for products that meet these guidelines. Provides up to $9 million in mandatory funding for the testing and labeling of biobased products.
Biorefinery Assistance: The bill provides $75 million for fiscal year
2009 and $245 million for fiscal year 2010 for loan guarantees to assist with the development of advanced biorefineries and biofuel production plants.
Biomass Research and Development: The conference agreement requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Energy to award competitive grants, contracts, and financial assistance to carry out research and development into biofuels and biobased products and technologies. There is $118 million in mandatory funding for this program.
Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP): The BCAP is a new program that provides incentives for producers to establish and grow cellulosic energy crops.
CCC Bioenergy Program: Makes adjustments to the CCC Bioenergy Program to provide incentives for increased use of agriculture commodities (except
corn) and agriculture and forestry waste for the expanded production of advanced biofuels. Provides $300 in mandatory funding over the life of the bill.
Sugar for Ethanol and other Biofuel Producers: The bill requires the Secretary to purchase sugar for resale to ethanol or other biofuels producers if the sugar supply was in excess and would otherwise be forfeited to the Commodity Credit Corporation.
Cellulosic Biofuels Credit: The Conference Report creates a tax credit (up to $1.01 per gallon) for the production of cellulosic biofuels.
Cellulosic biofuels can be derived from numerous substances, including switchgrass, woodchips, and agricultural waste. The tax credit expires December 31, 2012. The provision is estimated to cost $403 million over fiscal years 2008-2018. This is a key piece of legislation that will promote, support and encourage cellulosic ethanol investment in the United States.
Reduction of the Ethanol Tax Credit: The Conference Report reduces the ethanol tax credit from 51 cents per gallon to 45 cents per gallon starting in January 2009. This reduction will be delayed if the Treasury Department determines that U.S. production and importation of ethanol totaled less than 7.5 billion gallons in 2008.
Ethanol Tariff: The Conference Report extends the $0.54 per gallon tariff on imported ethanol through December 31, 2010. This provision is estimated to increase revenues $70 million from fiscal year 2008-2018.
Caribbean Basin Initiative: The Conference Report extends the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) through September 30, 2010. These trade preferences, which are currently set to expire in September 2008, apply to certain products, including textiles, apparel, and other goods from certain Caribbean nations. Included in the CBI is the ethanol. The trade programs known collectively as the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) were established in 1984, and remain a vital element in the United States’
economic relations with its neighbors in Central America and the Caribbean. The program was established to provide the economic development and export diversification of the Caribbean Basin economies.
The initial legislative program was Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), and was thereafter substantially expanded in 2000, with United Sates and Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA). The CBI currently provides 27 beneficiary countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for most goods, including ethanol. Basically, the Initiative allows up to 7% of the United States fuel ethanol demand to be imported from CBI Countries, duty free. There is not a limit on the total volume, just the percentage of United States usage. To qualify for duty free status, the ethanol must be dehydrated in the respective CBI Countries.
The current typical source of hydrous ethanol is Brazil, although it can be sourced from any region in the World.
USDA OFFICIALS BRIEFING WITH REPORTERS ON THE CASE FOR FOOD AND FUEL. We think the time has come for USDA to join in the public conversation about the relationship between food prices and biofuels. We want to offer our perspective on what is happening in the marketplace, to share our data, and the analysis of what is happening. That's why I am joined today by Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner; Joe Glauber, our chief economist; Tom Dorr under secretary for Rural Development; and Dr. Gale Buchanan, the under secretary for Research, Education and Economics...more
For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, Pacific Ethanol reported net sales of $161.5 million, an increase of $62.3 million, or 63%, compared to $99.2 million for the same period in 2007. This increase in net sales is primarily due to a substantial increase in sales volume, which was partially offset by lower average sales prices. The Company’s sales volume increased by 21.7 million gallons, or 58%, to 59.2 million gallons, compared to 37.5 million gallons for the same period in 2007. The Company’s average sales price of ethanol decreased by $0.04 per gallon, or 2%, to $2.30 per gallon compared to an average sales price of $2.34 per gallon in the first quarter of 2007...more
VeraSun Energy Corporation (NYSE: VSE), one of the nation's largest ethanol producers, today announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The Company increased revenues by 257% from the first quarter of 2007, to $516.5 million and generated earnings of $0.08 per diluted share. EBITDA for Q1 2008 increased to $32.3 million, or 6.3% of revenues, as compared to $3.8 million, or 2.6% of revenues for Q1 2007. "VeraSun continues to execute on its long-term growth strategy with significantly higher production, resulting in increased revenues and earnings," said VeraSun CEO Donald L. Endres. "Our team also successfully commissioned VeraSun's production facility at Bloomingburg, Ohio during the quarter, adding another 110 million gallons of production capacity...more
Pacific Ethanol, last week announced the delay of the release of their first quarter earnings by one week, and the filing of its regulatory report for the quarter with the Securities and Exchange Commission also will be delayed. The Pacific Ethanol earnings report, which was originally scheduled for Monday, May 12, will now be released on Monday, May 19, 2008. They did not give any reasons for the delay: Dial In Conferencing Details for the Pacific Ethanol Earnings Report
Start Time: 5/19/08, 7AM Pacific, 10AM Eastern
Dial In Number: 866-356-4279. International Dial In: 617-597-5394
Passcode: 64712247
The EPA just announced that the Administrator has received a request from the Governor of Texas, dated April 25, 2008, to waive a portion of the renewable fuel standard under section 211(o)(7) of the Clean Air Act. The Administrator is required by the Act to grant or deny this request within 90 days of receipt. They are providing notice that a waiver request has been received and are seeking public comment on whether to grant or deny it. Additional information available on the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/index.htm
The United States House passed the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007(H.R. 2419), commonly known as the Farm Bill, which is a $290 billion bill, with higher/increased subsidies for farmers and food stamps for the poor amid rising grocery prices while sprinkling in pet projects that lawmakers can take home to voters this election year. The 318-106 vote for the five-year bill gave supporters 28 more than they need to override a promised veto from President Bush. President Bush is on record stating that the bill is too expensive and generous to farmers, who are now enjoying record earnings. On Thursday, the United States Senate passed the bill as well, also with a veto proof margin of 81-15. The House passed the bill, 318-106, on Wednesday. To override a veto, each chamber must call a new vote and pass the bill by a two-thirds majority. The President has threatened to veto the measure, and he will get his chance as it is now on his desk but it appears that an override is eminent. President Bush feels that bill subsidizes multimillionaire farmers while Americans face higher food prices. The White House says the bill has $10 billion in hidden spending and rather than embrace reform, increases subsidy rates for wheat and soybeans...more or Click here for an Executive Summary of the entire bill
ADM reported Q3 financial results, and advised that net sales and other operating income increased 64 % to $ 18.7 billion, Q3 segment operating profit increased 54 % to $ 913 million from $ 593 million last year. for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Selling prices increased due principally to sharp rises in commodity prices.
Oilseeds Processing operating profit increased as global demand for protein and oil improved.
Corn Processing operating profit decreased due principally to higher net corn costs.
Agricultural Services operating profit increased as highly volatile market conditions provided exceptional merchandising opportunities.
Other segment operating profit increased due to improved margins and increased financial services income. Net sales and other operating income increased 64 % to $ 18.7 billion for the quarter and 51 % or $ 16.2 billion for the nine months. Increased selling prices resulting primarily from sharp rises in commodity prices accounted for approximately 85 % of the increase while higher sales volumes, principally vegetable oil and meal, feed grains and wheat, accounted for the remaining 15 % increase...more
Resonant BioSciences, LLC and Ethanol Technology are proud to announce the introduction of PureMash™ technology as an antibiotic free alternative for the ethanol industry. PureMash™ is a unique chlorine dioxide generation-based system that allows superb microbial control without the use of antibiotics and offers an attractive alternative for those ethanol plants that want to achieve antibiotic residual free DDGS and enhanced fermentation performance...more
Corn producers reported intentions to plant 86.014 million acres of corn in 2008, 7.586 million fewer acres than planted last year and 1.37 million less than expected. The intentions to reduce corn acreage is widespread. Among the large producing states, acreage is expected to increase only in Texas. Intended acreage is down one million acres in Iowa, 800,000 in Indiana, and 600,000 in Illinois. If 86 million acres of corn are planted, acreage harvested for grain might be near 78.7 million. With an optimistic U.S. average yield of 155 bushels, production in 2008 would project to about 12.2 billion bushels. That is 755 million less than the projection of use during the current marketing year. Use is expected to remain at least that large in 2008-09...more
United States corn growers intend to plant 86.0 million acres of corn for all purposes in 2008, down 8 percent from last year when corn planted area was the highest since 1944. Expected acreage is down from last year in most States as favorable prices for other crops, high input costs for corn, and crop rotation considerations are motivating some farmers to plant fewer acres to corn. Despite the decrease, corn acreage is expected to remain at historically high levels as the corn price outlook remains strong due in part to the continued expansion in ethanol production. This was below most industry estimates. Corn on corn requires significantly more fertilizer and ammonia production cost is closely tied to the price of natural gas, and with $9.00 to $10.00 natural gas prices, anhydrous ammonia prices are literally through the roof. Natural gas accounts for approximately 80% of anhydrous ammonia cost, so even with high corn prices, a minor swing to soybeans on corn should not have been that much of a surprise...more
VeraSun Energy Corp. announced March 31, 2008, that it closed the merger with US BioEnergy Corp. after the transaction was approved by a majority vote of shareholders of both companies. The merger will be effective as of April 1, 2008. “We are pleased to complete the merger with US BioEnergy and we are well on our way to integrating our companies,” said VeraSun CEO Don Endres. “We look forward to realizing the synergies of our combined business as we expect to reach 16 biorefineries and an operating capacity of more than 1.6 billion gallons by the end of 2008. The size and scale that results from this merger will allow us to become more relevant to our customers in the petroleum industry and continue to position VeraSun as a premier platform company in the renewable fuels industry...more
NYMEX will launch a New York Harbor Ethanol Futures contract, on March 31, 2008. The contract will be physically delivered, traded on CME Globex and cleared on NYMEX Clearport (Exchange of futures for physical “EFP” available on NYMEX Clearport). The NYMEX New York Harbor Physical Ethanol Futures will be based on delivery at terminals in the harbor...more
The USDA Prospective Plantings report will be released on Monday, March 31, 2008. Expectations for planting intentions seem to be centering around 87 million acres for corn and 71 to 72 million acres for soybeans. That estimate compares to 2007 acreage of 93.6 million and 63.63 million, respectively. Intentions for spring wheat are expected to exceed last year’s seedings. The planting intentions estimate will provide a benchmark for anticipating actual plantings. Recent price changes that include much lower soybean futures and an extremely weak new crop soybean basis have shifted potential profitability significantly in favor of corn over soybeans in much of the midwest. At the same time, generally cool and very wet conditions in some areas may lead to anticipation of corn planting delays and a swing to more soybean acres. While many producers have locked in the planting decisions for most of their acreage, history reveals some significant differences between intentions and actual planted area. Factor in the uncertainty about growing season weather in the northern hemisphere and the ingredients for large price swings are in place...more
Vogelbusch GmbH has applied for a patent for a fermentation process that boosts the efficiency of bioethanol production from raw materials containing hemicellulose. A key feature of the process is an improved strain of microorganism, which delivers high yields in the production of bioethanol from materials that contain hemicellulose, such as wood waste. In the future, this strain will enable bioethanol to be commercially produced from alternative raw materials, thereby improving the CO2 balance of alternative fuels.
Vogelbusch GmbH, which is based in Vienna (Austria), today announced that it has applied for a patent for an efficient fermentation process for the high-yield extraction of bioethanol from materials containing hemicellulose.
Working in partnership with the Institute of Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering at Graz University of Technology, the company has succeeded in extracting significantly more ethanol from this raw material than other processes...more
VeraSun Energy Corp. (NYSE: VSE), one of the nation's largest ethanol producers, today announced its financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2007.
"We are pleased to announce a solid quarter and year," said Don Endres, VeraSun's chairman and CEO. "Fiscal year 2007 included significant milestones for the company as we recorded more than $848 million of revenues in our fifth year of operations. We significantly increased our production capacity while improving operating efficiencies.
"Our operating performance and safety record have been exceptional," Endres added. "In the fourth quarter, we produced 142.1 million gallons and sold 134.4 million gallons of ethanol -- our highest level of output to date with an average production rate of over 105 percent of nameplate capacity for the year. During 2007, we strategically positioned the company to be one of the largest and low cost producers and we remain confident that a strong foundation has been laid for our continued leadership in the biofuels industry." Fourth Quarter 2007 Financial Highlights
Total revenues, which include revenue from the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and VE85(TM), increased by $165.9 million, or 113%, to $312.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007 from $146.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006. ...more
The 4th National 25x'25 Renewable Energy Summit, "Bringing the Vision to Life: Win-Win Solutions for America's Energy Future," will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska on March 11-13. Listed below are highlights of the event. Hear the latest from leading renewable energy experts from across the nation.
Some of the more than two dozen pre-eminent authorities on biofuels, biomass, wind, solar and other land-based renewable energy sources to address the summit include:
Dr. Steven Chu, Nobel laureate and Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Dr. Lowell Catlett, a Regents Professor at New Mexico State University and renowned futurist
Charles Zimmerman, Wal-Mart Vice President who oversees sustainable facility development
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heinemann, an early endorser of 25x'25...more
RFA’s Annual Ethanol Industry Outlook Now Available - The Renewable Fuels Association today released its Ethanol Industry Outlook 2008 entitled “Changing the Climate.” The Outlook catalogs the important statistics for America’s domestic ethanol industry while providing the most recent, up-to-date facts about the production and use of fuel ethanol. “2007 was an historical year for ethanol in the U.S. and around the globe,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “From landmark energy legislation to unprecedented growth to the rapid development of new technologies, America’s ethanol industry is in the midst of a remarkable evolution. With all the misinformation being passed around about ethanol, the 2008 Ethanol Industry Outlook provides an authoritative source of facts and figures about America’s ethanol industry.”...more
Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc., a
leading producer, marketer and end-to-end rovider of clean renewable energy, today released its
results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2007.
Ron Miller, Aventine’s President and Chief Executive Officer said, “We continue to successfully
steer our way through a difficult commodity environment as both income and EBITDA turned
positive. While ethanol prices rose during the quarter, they did not increase enough to allow the average price received for ethanol in the fourth quarter to exceed the average for the third quarter.
We were able to offset, however, the lower average ethanol price with lower corn costs for the
quarter. Our fourth quarter corn costs averaged $3.66 per bushel, or $0.15 per bushel less than in
the third quarter. Our co-product returns for the fourth quarter increased to 45.3%, as prices for
germ, meal, DDGS and feed all increased...more
New G-team turns biofuels green into gold.Thomas Corle has a green vision. As the next new things in biofuels emerge, the former Delta-T marketer sees his new G-team racing around the many speed bumps that currently slow down world biofuels development. Corle plans to use his talents in marketing and communications, combined with his knowledge of the biofuels industry and world markets, “to make a difference to the planet.” Launching his new group of biofuels consultants gives him a chance to put it all together for clients “who want a faster track in turning biofuels green into gold.” Corle spent the past decade helping market Delta-T worldwide. Bibb Swain, founder of the Williamsburg, Virginia corporation, says, “Tom’s considerable contributions helped Delta-T to grow to 250 employees with $500 million in annual revenues for 2007.” Once just 32 employees and $2 million in revenues, Delta-T built an international reputation for technological innovation, winning over 150 ethanol and alcohol projects on five continents...more
The Andersons, Inc. and Marathon Oil Corporation jointly announced ethanol production has begun at their 110-million gallon ethanol plant located in Greenville, Ohio. The plant was constructed by The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC, a 50/50 joint venture between The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC, a subsidiary of The Andersons, Inc., and Marathon Petroleum Company LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corporation. Construction on the facility began in November 2006.
"We are pleased to be opening the third ethanol plant in which we have an investment and for which we are providing management and other services," says Mike Anderson, President and CEO of The Andersons, Inc...more
The USDA's February report of U.S. and world crop supply and consumption prospects confirmed prospects for larger exports and smaller year-ending stocks of U.S. soybeans and wheat. Projections of use and stocks of U.S. corn during the current marketing year were unchanged. The new projections underscore the need for large crops in 2008.
Exports of U.S. wheat during the current marketing year are projected at a 12-year high of 1.2 billion bushels, 25 million larger than the January projection. Expected feed use was reduced by five million bushels, resulting in projected year-ending stocks of 272 million bushels, the smallest inventory in 33 years.
Exports of soybeans during the current marketing year are projected at 1.005 billion bushels, 10 million above the January forecast and only 113 million less than the record exports of last year. Exports for the year are expected to be down 10 percent, but shipments during the first five months of the marketing year are running only about 7 percent behind those of a year ago. In addition, unshipped sales as of January 31, 2008 were 48 million bushels (19 percent) larger than unshipped sales of a year ago. The projection of the domestic soybean crush was increased by five million bushels to a total of 1.835 billion, 1.6 percent larger than last year's record crush. Crush during the first four months of the year was 2.2 percent larger than during the same period last year. Year-ending stocks of U.S. soybeans are projected at only 160 million bushels, or 5.3 percent of projected consumption. As a percentage of use, projected stocks are at the second lowest level in 35 years...more
Jim Damask, Managing Director of BiofuelsConnect, a division of OceanConnect, announced that Mike Garcia and Mike Walker have joined BiofuelsConnect and will be located in the BiofuelsConnect’s Houston office. This new BiofuelsConnect office will support the expansion into the physical markets for Gulf Coast and West Coast ethanol and will complement BiofuelsConnect’s brokerage unit based in Heathrow, Florida which focuses on the Mid Continent and East Coast physical and financial markets. “Mike Garcia and Mike Walker bring great experience and a can-do attitude to our ethanol team. They are a great addition to our BiofuelsConnect team,” said Jim Damask...more
Khosla Ventures today announced the addition of Ford Tamer as operating partner. Tamer is charged with expanding the firm’s support of leading scientific work in clean technology, with a focus on breakthroughs related to mechanical and electrical efficiency, solar and IT. Khosla Ventures’ current portfolio includes investments in biofuels, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal, geothermal, battery, new materials, clean water and other environmentally friendly technologies. Tamer joins Khosla from Broadcom where he led the company’s Enterprise Networking Group...more
VeraSun Energy Corp. and US BioEnergy Corp. announced February 6, 2008, that the corporate offices of the combined company will relocate to Sioux Falls, S.D. The announcement came following a thorough analysis by the senior leadership of both companies. "We recognize the vital role that the Brookings, South Dakota community has provided in supporting the early stage development of these two leading biofuels companies. As we grow and plan for future success, we've evaluated the needs and various scenarios concerning corporate office location," said Don Endres, VeraSun Chairman and CEO. "The primary objectives in determining a final location included the ability to retain and recruit an expanded workforce, the overall cost of doing business, proximity to our growing fleet of ethanol production facilities, access to travel and quality of life for our employees. When we evaluated all of the criteria, Sioux Falls emerged as the best location to meet our business objectives."
Currently VeraSun's corporate offices are located in Brookings, S.D., while US BioEnergy has its corporate headquarters in St. Paul, Minn. The two companies announced plans to merge on Nov. 29, 2007, giving the combined company a potential production capacity of more than 1.6 billion gallons by the end of 2008...more
In a development that could dramatically advance the renewable fuels industry, cellulosic ethanol is now in production at the first small scale waste wood commercial facility operating in the U.S. Located just 1 mile South of Upton, Wyoming, the plant was engineered, constructed and is operated by KL Process Design Group (KL). This is the result of six years of development efforts between KL and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
KL’s cellulosic ethanol plant is converting waste wood into a renewable fuel. “It is now possible to economically convert discarded wood into a clean burning, sustainable alternate motor fuel” said Randy Kramer, president of KL Process Design Group, a design firm that has been working in corn ethanol. “We’re proud of what this small company has accomplished, and believe that our design will be a cornerstone from which we can build our country’s renewable fuel infrastructure providing a better source of motor fuel, starting today.”
Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Launces "Fuel the Change"
Video Contest to Educate Consumers
About
America's Energy Options. Consumers can educate consumers about America’s energy options by participating in the “Fuel the Change” video contest sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). Click here for CONTEST RULES Beginning Jan. 28, entrants can submit a :30 second video online. The producer of the winning video will receive a $10,000 cash prize and have the chance to have his or her commercial aired during the 2008 Indianapolis 500 on ABC. “Consumers have a great need for more information about ways they can help to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil sources as well as reduce their impact on global climate change,” said Reece Nanfito, Senior Director of Marketing for EPIC...more
President Bush State of the Union Address: "...To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. Our security, our prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil. Last year, I asked you to pass legislation to reduce oil consumption over the next decade, and you responded. Together we should take the next steps: Let us fund new technologies that can generate coal power while capturing carbon emissions. Let us increase the use of renewable power and emissions-free nuclear power. Let us continue investing in advanced battery technology and renewable fuels to power the cars and trucks of the future. Let us create a new international clean technology fund, which will help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources. And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases....." Full Text
This agreement will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride. (Applause.) The United States is committed to strengthening our energy security and confronting global climate change. And the best way to meet these goals is for America to continue leading the way toward the development of cleaner and more energy-efficient technology. (Applause.)
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today announced that DOE will invest up to $114 million, over four years, (Fiscal Years 2007-2010) for four small-scale biorefinery projects to be located in Commerce City, Colorado; St. Joseph, Missouri; Boardman, Oregon; and Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Building on President Bush’s goal of making cellulosic ethanol cost-competitive by 2012, these ten-percent of commercial-scale biorefineries will use a wide variety of feedstocks and test novel conversion technologies to provide data necessary to bring online full-size, commercial-scale biorefineries. On average, commercial-scale biorefineries input 700 tons of feedstock per day, with an output of approximately 20-30 million gallons a year (MMGY); these small-scale facilities will input approximately 70 tons of feedstock per day, with an estimated 2.5 MMGY
On a daily basis, corn and soybean prices continue to be influenced by a large number of factors. These include the traditional fundamental factors of the rate of consumption and production prospects in various parts of the world. In addition, prices have been impacted by such factors as prospects for crude oil prices and U.S. and global economic prospects. The latter are often referred to as outside markets, but developments in these markets directly impact the potential demand for corn and soybeans...more
Renowned Economist John Urbanchuk to Unveil Economic Impact of Biofuels at Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. Participants of the Second Annual Event will be the First to Hear Results. Participants from across the country will have the opportunity to hear economist John Urbanchuk discuss his updated economic impact study at the second annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is hosting the event at the Polk County Convention Center from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2008...more
Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), Bayer CropScience AG and Daimler AG plan to jointly explore the potential for a biodiesel industry based on Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.). A respective Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the companies. Jatropha, a tropical plant from the Euphorbia family, is seen by the three cooperating partners as a promising alternative energy feedstock for the production of biodiesel. Biodiesel derived from Jatropha nut kernels has properties similar to those of biofuels obtained from oilseed rapes. It is also characterized by a positive CO2 balance and can thus contribute to protecting the climate.
Last week the United States Senate passed the energy bill with a vote of 86-8, and today the House easily cleared the bill with a 314-100 vote. By this time Wednesday, the bill in all likelihood will be signed into law by President Bush. Last week, the White House stated “The Senate energy plan will update CAFE standards and enhance the use of renewable fuels. By addressing the concerns of the Administration and moving forward with a bipartisan approach, senators have taken steps to improve our economic and energy security. If this legislation makes it to the president's desk, he will sign it into law.”..more
U.S. crop producers made dramatic shifts in acreage in 2007. The shifts were motivated by rising corn-based ethanol production and high corn prices, rising wheat prices, and a surplus of soybeans. The acreage shift was led by a 17 million acre increase in feed grains, including 15.3 million more acres of corn. Winter wheat acreage increased by about 3.1 million and harvested acreage of hay was up by nearly one million acres. These increases were accommodated by an 11.9 million acre decline in soybean plantings, 1.3 million fewer acres of spring wheat, 4.4 million fewer acres of cotton, and about 900,000 fewer acres devoted to other oilseeds; edible beans, peas, and lentils; and sugar beets. In addition to the acreage shifts, total planted acreage (harvested acreage of oats and hay) increased by four million acres. The large increase in total acreage likely includes some pasture acreage converted to row crops and perhaps an increase in re-planted acreage stemming from the spring freeze that damaged the winter wheat crop..more
Corn, soybean, and wheat prices continue to climb as market fundamentals remain generally constructive. Typically, there are both bullish and bearish market fundamental factors and the market must judge the net effect of those factors. Currently, there are few bearish factors to weigh against the combination of strong demand and supply concerns. Futures prices for the 2008 crops of corn, soybeans, and wheat all reached new highs in recent trading sessions...more
EIA Short Term Energy Forecast - Global oil markets will likely remain tight through the forecast period. EIA projects that world oil demand will grow much faster than oil supply outside of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), leaving OPEC and inventories to offset the resultant upward pressure on prices. However, at last week’s meeting in Abu Dhabi, OPEC decided to maintain its existing production quotas, noting that, in its view, the global oil market continued to be well supplied. Additional factors contributing to expectations that prices will remain high and volatile through 2008 include ongoing geopolitical risks, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) inventory tightness, and worldwide refining bottlenecks...more
The USDA's October Crop Production report confirmed prospects for a small 2007 U.S. soybean harvest. The crop is forecast at 2.598 billion bushels. 590 million smaller than the record crop of 2006. Even with large stocks of old crop soybeans on hand at the beginning of this year, the small crop means that consumption of U.S. soybeans will have to decline by more than 100 million bushels during the current marketing year. That decline is expected to occur in the export market, as large South American supplies will...more
NYMEX and Other Major Market Participants to Form The Green Exchange™,
The World’s Most Comprehensive Environmental Marketplace
NYMEX Leads Venture with Evolution Markets, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse,
JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch, Tudor Investment Corp., ICAP, and Constellation Energy
New Exchange Will Offer Contracts for Carbon, Renewable Energy, and Other
Major Environmental Commodities...more
MGP Ingredients announces first quarter fiscal 2008 financial results. MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq/MGPI) today reported a net loss of $318,000, or $0.02 in diluted earnings per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, which ended September 30, 2007. This compares with net income of $7.0 million, or $0.41 in diluted earnings per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2007. Total sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 were $88.0 million, an increase of 3.5 percent from first quarter sales a year ago....more
According to CEPEA, Ethanol Hydrated trades enlarged 90.3 percent in one year In November, Brazilian ethanol market moved at a better pace, due to the higher demand...more According to the Cepea, the volume traded of hydrated increased 90.3 percent compared to November last year; for anhydrous, the raise was of 9.7 percent. Domestic prices, in turn, moved up expressively in the last month. The CEPEA/ESALQ Index (Sao Paulo state) for anhydrous upped 22.3 percent over October, averaging 0.71609 real or 0.40457 dollar per liter (excluding taxes). The hydrated increased 19.3 percent, to 0.79290 real or 0.44796 dollar per liter (excluding taxes).
VeraSun Energy Corp. (NYSE: VSE) and US BioEnergy Corp. (NASDAQ: USBE) today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of each company. The merger is expected to close during the first quarter of 2008, pending shareholder approval, anti-trust regulatory clearance and the completion of other customary conditions...more
Praj successfully commissions British Sugar Bioethanol Plant;
U.K.’s First Bioethanol Plant commissioned..more
US BioEnergy Corporation (NASDAQ:USBE) today announced net income of $11.1 million, or $0.15 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, compared to $8.3 million, or $0.12 per share, for the second quarter of 2007. Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 included a one-time impairment charge of $2.5 million, related to the company’s third party marketing and services businesses. EBITDA was $24.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, compared to $21.8 million for the second quarter of 2007...more
Range Fuels, Inc. (VinodKhosla in picture above) announced today that it has signed a $76 million Technology Investment Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Range Fuels’ selection for negotiation of this grant was initially announced in February, 2007 and the organizations have agreed on contract terms to allow project funding. Range Fuels was one of six companies selected by the Department of Energy for financial support in building a commercial cellulosic ethanol plant, and will be the first to break ground with a celebratory event November 6, 2007 at the future site of its Soperton, GA. Plant...more
Praj first half income grows by 50%; Net Profit growth in excess of 100% over corresponding half year...more
Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AVR), a
leading producer, marketer and end-to-end provider of clean renewable energy, today released its
results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Ron Miller, Aventine’s President and Chief Executive Officer said, “Ethanol prices fell
significantly beginning in August. This, combined with high corn prices, resulted in a difficult
operating environment. Ethanol has significant value as a motor fuel in today’s scarce energy
marketplace. This value is further enhanced given its huge pricing discount to gasoline, coupled
with the 51 cent tax credit that oil companies and other blenders currently enjoy on blending
ethanol. This large arbitrage is the result of a temporary supply/demand imbalance as a wave of
new ethanol production seeks to find a home in the discretionary conventional gasoline market.
We believe that higher mandated use and increased discretionary blending by refiners and
independent distributors should close this arbitrage and lead to increased margins for ethanol
producers.” ...more
Hawkeye Energy Holdings is pleased to announce that Byron Stewart has accepted the position of Director of Transportation and Logistics Services, effective immediately. Byron has recently served as Hawkeye Gold Director of Marketing and Transportation and this newly formed position leads all corporate transportation functions and business activities. Byron has over 25 years of transportation experience in agriculture and 10 years experience in merchandising...more
Range Fuels will break ground on the nation’s first commercial cellulosic ethanol plant Tuesday, November 6, 2007...more
Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc., recently announced that it plans to hold a conference call on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 to discuss its third quarter and nine month 2007 results. A news release and supporting financial data will be released to the news wire services and the New York Stock Exchange after the market closes on Tuesday, October 30, 2007...more
US BioEnergy Corporation (NASDAQ:USBE), a leading ethanol producer in the United States, announced today that it will report its third quarter financial results on November 13, 2007 before the market opens and will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Central Time...more
VeraSun Energy Corporation (NYSE: VSE), one of the nation’s largest ethanol producers, today announced it will release its third quarter results before the market opens on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. The Company will host a live conference call and webcast at 10 a.m. EDT/9 a.m. CDT. Donald L. Endres, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Danny C. Herron, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host the call..more
Archer Daniels Midland Company announced that they will release financial results for its first quarter before the market opens on Tuesday, November 6. 2007. The Company will host a conference call and audio Web cast at 8AM Central Time to discuss financial results and provide a Company update...more
Ladd Seaberg announced today that he plans to step down as chief executive officer of MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq/MGPI) effective June 30, 2008, but will continue as chairman of the company’s board of directors after that date. He simultaneously announced that he will be succeeded as ceo by Tim Newkirk, current president and chief operating officer of the company...more
The ChemPro Group, LLC, a full-service design-build company specializing in modular process solutions, prefabricated assemblies, and project management, announced that the company has contracted with Golden Triangle Energy of Craig, MO, to design and build a modular distillation dehydration plant for the production of high-quality ethanol from corn-based fermentation feedstock. According to Steve Lavorerio, President of ChemPro, the project is in progress, with equipment fabrication and site preparation underway...more
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) offers on October 4th its most sincere thanks and appreciation to Ron Miller, President and CEO of Aventine Renewable Holdings, Inc., for his service as chairman of the RFA.
Aventine is one of the oldest members of the RFA and Miller has held the position of chairman on three different occasions, most recently from 2005-2007. "There are few in today’s ethanol industry more committed to its success than Ron Miller,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen...more
MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq/MGPI) today held its annual meeting of stockholders. Three directors, Cloud Cray, Jr., John Speirs, and John Byom, who stood for re-election were approved with their terms expiring in 2010. Chairman and CEO Ladd Seaberg presided over the presentation to stockholders...more
VeraSun Energy Corporation, one of the nation’s largest ethanol producers, today announced that it will suspend construction of its 110 million-gallon-per-year ethanol biorefinery in Reynolds, Ind., due to current market conditions. The company expects to resume construction in 2008, depending upon the return of more favorable market conditions...more
POET announced three new general managers to the team. Mark Borer has joined POET as the General Manager for POET Biorefining - Leipsic, Dave Hudak has joined POET as General Manager for POET Biorefining - Alexandria and Dave Gloer has joined the company as General Manager for POET Biorefining - Caro...more
Outlining a plan to elevate Kentucky’s economy, Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Kentucky-based Alltech, will speak at various locations throughout the state as part of a tour to promote innovation in agriculture. The theme for the tour is 'Vision 2010: Fueling the Future of Rural Kentucky.'...more
ConocoPhillips and Archer Daniels Midland Company(ADM) announced that they have agreed to collaborate on the development of renewable transportation fuels from biomass. The alliance will research and seek to commercialize two components of a next-generation biofuel production process..more
PetroSun, Incorporated announced today that the Company has formed PetroSun BioFuels Refining to participate in a joint venture that will construct and operate a biofuels refinery in Arizona...more
Bunge Limited today announced that Tim Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Bunge North America and Todd Bastean, Vice President & General Manager, Bunge North America Biofuels, will address the Citigroup "Ethanol on the Cob II" biofuels conference in New York City on Tuesday, October 2, 2007...more
North American Bioproducts Corporation (NABC), provider of
fermentation products and technology to the ethanol industry, announces their third bi-annual Ethanol Short
Course. In a continuing effort to develop, educate and train both new and experienced industry colleagues,
NABC will hold the Ethanol Short Course on February 11th -15th, 2008 in Schaumburg, IL. The Renaissance
Hotel and Convention Center will host the five day event...more
Hawkeye Energy Holdings, LLC, one of the largest producers of ethanol in the U.S., is pleased to announce that Martin A. Lyons has joined Hawkeye as Chief Commercial Officer, effective today. Marty has most recently served as Senior Vice President in charge of Archer Daniel Midland’s ethanol, corn processing and sweeteners businesses. Marty has over twenty-eight years of sales, marketing, strategic planning, and regulatory management experience and helped pioneer the fuel ethanol additive business in the energy industry...more
President Bush Announces Resignation of Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns Rose Garden - 9:27 A.M. EDT. September 20, 2007 - THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Mike Johanns has informed me that he plans to return home to Nebraska, which means that his service as Secretary of Agriculture must come to an end. Mike has been an outstanding member of my Cabinet. I knew he would be when I asked him to become the Secretary of Agriculture. I've known him for a long time. I've admired the fact that he is not only a decent person and an honest person, but he's a person who can get some things done...more
Corn production is forecast at a record 13.3 billion bushels, up 254 million from last month, because of higher yields. The forecast yield of 155.8 bushels per acre would be the second highest ever. Sorghum yields are also forecast at a record 73.9 bushels per acre. Sorghum production is forecast at 495 million bushels. Ethanol production forecast was lowered for both 2006/07 and in 2007/08, based on current capacity and reported production. Exports were raised this month to offset lower grains production in other parts of the world. Prices for feed grains remain strong, supported by record wheat and strong soybean prices...more Feed Outlook,
September 14, 2007
VeraSun Energy Corporation, one of the nation’s largest ethanol producers, today announced that Mark Dickey has joined the company as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel. All together, Dickey brings more than 20 years of legal experience, including 14 years in private practice...more
US BioEnergy Corporation (NASDAQ:USBE), a leading producer of ethanol in the United States, today announced that it has been selected by NASDAQ as one of 17 companies that will be featured in its new advertising campaign, “NASDAQ and the Companies that Move Life Forward,” that profiles NASDAQ-listed companies and how each of them improve the way we work and live every day...more
VeraSun Energy Corporation (NYSE: VSE), one of the nation’s largest ethanol producers, will hold a VE85™ pump tour promotion, Friday, Sept. 21, at the Freedom Valu Center on East College Drive in Marshall, Minn. VeraSun will sell its branded VE85™, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, for 85 cents per gallon beginning at 11:30 a.m. CDT. The station is located at 304 East College Drive...more
CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse exchange, today announced the listing of options on Ethanol futures, tools for customers to better manage risk in the energy industry, scheduled to begin trading electronically on e-cbot® October 5 and then on the CME Globex® platform in January...more
Lallemand is proud to announce the appointment of Bill Nankervis as its new General Manager of its Ethanol Technology business unit. Bill comes to Ethanol Technology from Lallemand’s Anchor Yeast subsidiary in South Africa where he was Director of their Bakery Specialties (bakers yeast and baking & milling enzymes) business...more
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar spoke today at the opening of the POET ethanol plant in (Portland) Jay County and will address the opening tomorrow at the Central Indiana Ethanol Facility in (Marion) Grant County. “Biofuels offer the dual opportunity for an economic revitalization of rural America and a solution to a serious national security problem,” said Lugar, who has been a leading advocate for the use of biofuels to decrease our strategic dependence on foreign oil...more
The USDA now forecasts the 2007 U.S. corn crop at 13.308 billion bushels, 254 million (1.9 percent) larger than the August forecast and 2.773 billion (26.3 percent) larger than the 2006 crop. The larger crop forecast reflects the expectation of a U.S. average yield of 155.8 bushels. That forecast is three bushels above the August forecast and 6.7 bushels above the 2006 average, but 4.6 bushels below the record yield of 2004...more
The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.(NYMEX)today announced that it will launch its new alternative energy equity index futures contract on CME Globex and NYMEX ClearPort, beginning on September 30 for trade date October 1, 2007. This contract was previously scheduled to launch on August 20th, but was postponed...more
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) today announced appointments in the Company's Commercial and Production group which is responsible for ADM's origination, merchandising, processing and marketing functions. John Rice, executive vice president, Commercial and Production, said, "These appointments advance our long-term and incremental business goals. I am confident that these individuals will provide leadership -- on both a personal and organizational level -- that will ensure ADM's continued success."...more
CME Group to Offer Clearing for Ethanol Basis Swaps - CME Group, the world’s largest and most diverse exchange, today announced the introduction of clearing services for over-the-counter (OTC) Ethanol Basis Swaps beginning October 5, enabling the biofuels and other industries to take advantage of the benefits of centralized clearing, including daily mark-to-market margining and reduced counterparty risk...more
US BioEnergy Announces Successful Acquisition of US Bio Marion, LLC (formerly Millennium Ethanol, LLC)...more
NYMEX issues new margin spread credits for their RBOB contracts vs the new Ethanol contract. THe Ethanol contract started trading July 8, 2007. In short they will allow customers to save 80pct of the margin they normally post by clearing both contracts with NYMEX...more
Range Fuels, Inc., a leading cellulosic ethanol company, announ
