At a grand opening event today at the Bay Area's newest renewable fuel station, California Energy Commissioner Anthony Eggert, Director of California Governor Schwarzenegger's Office of Economic Development (GoED) Joel Ayala, and officials from Propel Fuels, CALSTART, and East Bay Clean Cities, formally launched Propel's Bay Area operations, which will include more than 20 stations across the Bay, with up to 10 open by the year's end. The event also announced a $10.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and California Energy Commission (CEC) to build and operate 75 retail renewable fuel stations throughout California over the next two years.
The station development project, known as the Low Carbon Fuel Infrastructure Investment Initiative (LCFI3), has the potential to create more than 450 green jobs in California, while displacing 39 million gallons of petroleum and 187,500 tons of CO2 emissions per year. Propel will match this grant with $16 million in private investment to accelerate the build-out of Propel's statewide network of Clean Fuel Points.
"California is leading the way in the development and deployment of low carbon fuels and clean vehicles by investing in a portfolio of the most promising alternatives to petroleum," said Energy Commissioner Anthony Eggert. "The Energy Commission is proud to team up with Propel Fuels and the partner agencies to bring next generation low carbon biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol, to the nearly half a million flex fuel vehicle customers in California, while creating hundreds of green jobs, and continuing to lead the way in our nation's battle against climate change."
"This grant brings a new choice to Californians looking to do their part to reduce our nation's dependency on imported oil and help meet the state's emission reduction goals," said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels. "As advanced biofuel production facilities prepare to break ground in the state, this fueling infrastructure is a critical link between California's citizens and the next generation of low carbon fuels."
Approximately $6.9 million of the project funding was awarded by the U.S. DOE Clean Cities' Petroleum Reduction program, with another $4 million granted through the state of California's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology program. Both programs are working to reduce petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while increasing the use of alternative fuels through implementation of innovative technologies. California boasts the largest fleet of alternative fuel fleet vehicles in the U.S., making the state an ideal partner for Propel on this project.
"The launch of the Bay Area's first renewable fuel station network by Propel Fuels represents a bold and confident step into the future of renewable fuels and is a clear indicator that government can help streamline economic development operations for out-of-state companies," said Governor's Office of Economic Development Director Joel Ayala. "With the activation of this network, California is again showing the world how the green economy can create jobs, protect the environment and secure our standing as a state whose innovation and creativity continues to fuel our economic recovery."
Along with the new station build-out, alternative fuel education and community outreach are a critical piece of LCFI3. Propel will work with community partners CALSTART and East Bay Clean Cities to educate consumers and fleets on the wide spread benefits of low carbon, alternative fuels available today and those next generation fuels coming in the future.
"Presently in California more than one million diesel and Flex Fuel passenger cars are capable of running on renewable fuels, but there hasn't been a sufficient number of renewable fuel stations," said John Boesel, President and CEO of CALSTART. "This program takes a major step forward by creating 75 new renewable stations which will give consumers the choice to say 'no' to oil dependence, 'yes' to the American economy and 'yes' to the environment."
"Clean Cities is focused on reducing our nation's consumption of petroleum fuels, and the best way to do this is by making alternative fuels available," said Richard Battersby, Director, East Bay Clean Cities Coalition. "Propel's network of low carbon renewable fuel stations offers the citizens of California additional alternative fuel choices and their CleanDrive tracking system provides a convenient way to track and measure the positive environmental impacts of their fueling choices."
Propel has already begun construction of the station locations in major markets across California, with the network of 75 stations funded by this project to be complete by the end of 2011. Currently there are three locations open in the Bay Area (Fremont, Oakland, South San Jose) with additional sites planned for Downtown San Jose, North San Jose, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Livermore, and Concord in the coming months.
Source : Press Release
August 31, 2010
May 2010 Biodiesel Production Continues Lower
May biodiesel production continued it's slide lower ending the month at 29 million gallons produced. That number compares to 31 million gallons produced in April and 34 million produced in March.
For a longer term perspective, May 2010 production is unchanged from one year ago but much lower than May 2008 production at 54 million gallons produced.
Source : EIA Biodiesel Overview
For a longer term perspective, May 2010 production is unchanged from one year ago but much lower than May 2008 production at 54 million gallons produced.
Source : EIA Biodiesel Overview
August 30, 2010
June 2010 Ethanol Production Increases
Ethanol production in June rose to 854,000 barrels per day, up from 847,000 barrels per day in May. Total production for June was lower at 1,076,502,000 gallons versus 1,102,248,000 gallons in May due to May having 31 days and June having 30 days.
Ethanol imports also rose slightly to 1,680,000 gallons, up from 1,638,000 gallons in May.
Source : Energy Information Administration
Ethanol imports also rose slightly to 1,680,000 gallons, up from 1,638,000 gallons in May.
Source : Energy Information Administration
Biodiesel To Displace Petroleum At Coal Fired Power Plants In Ohio?
American Electric Power is seeking quotes for biodiesel to be supplied to one or more of it's coal fired power plants. According to Biodiesel Magazine, this is being done to comply with Ohio law that requires 25 percent of electricity sold within the state to be generated from alternative energy, but I thought it was interesting how biodiesel was helping to displace petroleum in coal fired power generation.
The biodiesel-blended fuel oil would replace petroleum fuel oil used for flame start-up and flame stabilization. Pulverized coal plants have large boilers, which AEP spokeswoman Melissa McHenry said are essentially large boxes with flame in them that are lined with tubes containing water. The water is flashed to steam, which then fuels the generator. “If a plant shuts down and you need to restart it, you have to start that process flame with fuel oil,” McHenry said. “Then you blow in pulverized coal to keep the flame burning. They also sometimes use fuel oil in the process to maintain the flame to ensure that you are getting the most efficient flame, so you are getting the most efficient transfer of water into steam.”
AEP is interested in using three different blends of biodiesel at is facilities. According to McHenry, B99.9 can be used from April 15 to Oct. 14. A blend of B50 can be used in the facilities from Oct. 15 through Dec. 14, while a B30 blend can be used from Dec. 15 to April 14. AEP is seeking bids for three Ohio-based coal fired power plants; the Conessville, Ohio-based Conesville plant, the Beverly, Ohio-based Muskingum River plant, and the Lockbourne, Ohio-based Picway plant. For the Conesville plant, McHenry said AEP is looking to potentially replace 1.4 million gallons of fuel oil. Approximately 1 million gallons could be replaced at the Muskingum plant, with an additional 50,000 gallons being replaced at the Picway plant.
The biodiesel-blended fuel oil would replace petroleum fuel oil used for flame start-up and flame stabilization. Pulverized coal plants have large boilers, which AEP spokeswoman Melissa McHenry said are essentially large boxes with flame in them that are lined with tubes containing water. The water is flashed to steam, which then fuels the generator. “If a plant shuts down and you need to restart it, you have to start that process flame with fuel oil,” McHenry said. “Then you blow in pulverized coal to keep the flame burning. They also sometimes use fuel oil in the process to maintain the flame to ensure that you are getting the most efficient flame, so you are getting the most efficient transfer of water into steam.”
AEP is interested in using three different blends of biodiesel at is facilities. According to McHenry, B99.9 can be used from April 15 to Oct. 14. A blend of B50 can be used in the facilities from Oct. 15 through Dec. 14, while a B30 blend can be used from Dec. 15 to April 14. AEP is seeking bids for three Ohio-based coal fired power plants; the Conessville, Ohio-based Conesville plant, the Beverly, Ohio-based Muskingum River plant, and the Lockbourne, Ohio-based Picway plant. For the Conesville plant, McHenry said AEP is looking to potentially replace 1.4 million gallons of fuel oil. Approximately 1 million gallons could be replaced at the Muskingum plant, with an additional 50,000 gallons being replaced at the Picway plant.
August 27, 2010
KiOR To Build 3 Renewable Crude Plants In Mississippi
Governor Haley Barbour announced Thursday KiOR of Houston, Texas, has agreed to invest $500 million to build three facilities in Mississippi and create an estimated 1,000 jobs. The first, which will be located at the Port of Columbus will employ approximately 50 workers on its 22-acre site.
Columbus was chosen along with Franklin and Newton counties to receive a plant because of the wealth of timber available locally. The Columbus plant, the smallest of the three, will truck the timber in and ship the renewable crude out on barges.
KiOR uses a decades-old process of converting wood into crude oil but has developed a catalyst to speed the process. According to the company they can produce approximately 2.8 barrels of renewable crude for every ton of timber processed.
KiOR has also pledged to locate two of its next five facilities in Mississippi if it expands beyond the original three.
Source : The Dispatch
Columbus was chosen along with Franklin and Newton counties to receive a plant because of the wealth of timber available locally. The Columbus plant, the smallest of the three, will truck the timber in and ship the renewable crude out on barges.
KiOR uses a decades-old process of converting wood into crude oil but has developed a catalyst to speed the process. According to the company they can produce approximately 2.8 barrels of renewable crude for every ton of timber processed.
KiOR has also pledged to locate two of its next five facilities in Mississippi if it expands beyond the original three.
Source : The Dispatch
Valero Begins Selling E85 In San Antonio
Valero Energy Corporation announced today that one of its company-owned Valero Corner Stores in San Antonio has begun selling E-85, a blend of fuel consisting of up to 85 percent ethanol blended with unleaded gasoline. E-85 is approved for use in “Flex Fuel” vehicles, which continue to grow in popularity with buyers of new cars and light-duty trucks.
Valero also announced plans to continue introducing sales of E-85 at new Valero Corner Stores as they’re built. The stores will continue selling all grades of gasoline and diesel fuel at its locations.
The first San Antonio store launching the sale of E-85, in a separate and clearly marked dispenser, is at 4801 Walzem Road, just east of Loop 410. The new addition to the fuels offered at Valero Corner Stores builds on increased use of ethanol throughout the United States, as mandated by the federal government. Nearly all gasoline sold at Valero Corner Stores – and all gasoline sold at the company’s San Antonio locations – already contains up to 10 percent ethanol. The new E-85 offering will meet the needs of new Flex Fuel vehicles, which are designed to run on either conventional gasoline or E-85.
“There are already millions of Flex Fuel vehicles on the road, and there’s a growing market for E-85,” said Gary Arthur, President of Valero’s Retail Division. “As Valero builds new Corner Stores, we will continue to introduce E-85 sales to satisfy this growing demand.”
Valero owns and operates nearly 1,000 Corner Stores in Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming.
Source : Press Release
Valero also announced plans to continue introducing sales of E-85 at new Valero Corner Stores as they’re built. The stores will continue selling all grades of gasoline and diesel fuel at its locations.
The first San Antonio store launching the sale of E-85, in a separate and clearly marked dispenser, is at 4801 Walzem Road, just east of Loop 410. The new addition to the fuels offered at Valero Corner Stores builds on increased use of ethanol throughout the United States, as mandated by the federal government. Nearly all gasoline sold at Valero Corner Stores – and all gasoline sold at the company’s San Antonio locations – already contains up to 10 percent ethanol. The new E-85 offering will meet the needs of new Flex Fuel vehicles, which are designed to run on either conventional gasoline or E-85.
“There are already millions of Flex Fuel vehicles on the road, and there’s a growing market for E-85,” said Gary Arthur, President of Valero’s Retail Division. “As Valero builds new Corner Stores, we will continue to introduce E-85 sales to satisfy this growing demand.”
Valero owns and operates nearly 1,000 Corner Stores in Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming.
Source : Press Release
August 25, 2010
Genesis Ethanol I Micro Ethanol Plant To Be Auctioned
Maas Companies of Rochester, Minn. will liquidate the Genesis Ethanol I, two to four million gallon-per-year micro ethanol plant located outside of Sioux Falls in Parker, South Dakota via sealed bid auction ending at 5 p.m. central daylight time on Friday, Sept. 24. A winning bid may be awarded at that time or the top five bidders may continue a limited live auction Friday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. central daylight time.
Tyler Maas, sales and marketing director for Mass Companies stated, “The sealed bid sale offers this plant to a new buyer at a significant savings over the approximate $6 million dollars that was invested to design and build the facility. It is a perfect opportunity for an end user to operate it on its current site with some modifications, or for a new start up company with new technology to perfect it on a pilot scale at a new location.”
Genesis Ethanol I was a prototype micro ethanol plant started in 2008 with several innovative concepts. Genesis purchased corn locally and sold its distiller grain by products locally, thereby greatly reducing transportation costs and delivering a consistent product. In addition, the facility was designed with energy saving components unique to its design in an effort to reduce energy costs. Initially the plant was to be the first in a series of similar plants throughout the region.
The plant was built with typical automation and monitoring and multiple security cameras placed strategically on-site. Summit Green Energy, the builder and managing partner, intended to capitalize on economies of scale by running multiple plants within the region. Although the micro ethanol plant began operations, it was not able to sustain momentum with overwhelming external factors affecting the industry and operational issues.
Potential buyers will be given the option of submitting bids to operate the plant in place with the successful negotiation of a new land lease with the current land owner, or the buyer may elect to dismantle and re-locate the plant.
Source : Press Release
Tyler Maas, sales and marketing director for Mass Companies stated, “The sealed bid sale offers this plant to a new buyer at a significant savings over the approximate $6 million dollars that was invested to design and build the facility. It is a perfect opportunity for an end user to operate it on its current site with some modifications, or for a new start up company with new technology to perfect it on a pilot scale at a new location.”
Genesis Ethanol I was a prototype micro ethanol plant started in 2008 with several innovative concepts. Genesis purchased corn locally and sold its distiller grain by products locally, thereby greatly reducing transportation costs and delivering a consistent product. In addition, the facility was designed with energy saving components unique to its design in an effort to reduce energy costs. Initially the plant was to be the first in a series of similar plants throughout the region.
The plant was built with typical automation and monitoring and multiple security cameras placed strategically on-site. Summit Green Energy, the builder and managing partner, intended to capitalize on economies of scale by running multiple plants within the region. Although the micro ethanol plant began operations, it was not able to sustain momentum with overwhelming external factors affecting the industry and operational issues.
Potential buyers will be given the option of submitting bids to operate the plant in place with the successful negotiation of a new land lease with the current land owner, or the buyer may elect to dismantle and re-locate the plant.
Source : Press Release
Shell and Brazilian Ethanol Producer Cosan Sign $12 Billion Joint Venture
A US$12-billion joint venture between Shell International Petroleum Company Limited (Shell) and Cosan S.A. (Cosan) moved closer to reality today when the two companies signed binding agreements.
The proposed joint venture, which still requires regulatory approval, will produce and commercialise ethanol and power from sugar cane and distribute a variety of industrial and transportation fuels through a combined distribution and retail network in Brazil. It will also explore business opportunities to produce and sell ethanol and sugar globally.
“The proposed joint venture is set to pool our complementary businesses, enhance our growth prospects in ethanol production globally and support our growth platform for our retail and commercial fuels businesses in Brazil,” said Mark Williams, Shell Downstream Director. “Over the next 20 years, sustainable biofuels are one of the most realistic commercial solutions to reduce CO2 emissions from transport.”
“While there is still plenty of integration planning to do before we launch the proposed joint venture, this is an important milestone in our effort to create one of the world’s most competitive sustainable biofuels companies,” said Rubens Ometto Silveira Mello, Cosan’s Chairman of the Board and non-executive Chairman-elect of the proposed joint venture.
With annual production capacity of over 2 billion litres, the proposed joint venture will be one of the world’s largest ethanol producers. The inclusion of Shell’s equity interests in Iogen Energy and Codexis would enable the joint venture to deploy next generation biofuels technologies in the future. The company will also generate electricity from sugar cane bagasse in cogeneration plants at all mills. Ten cogeneration plants are already operational.
With total annual sales of about 18 billion litres of fuels, the proposed joint venture will have a competitive position in the Brazilian fuels distribution market built upon a network of about 4,500 retail sites.
Today’s agreement follows the signing in February of a non-binding memorandum of understanding. With the transaction terms agreed, Shell and Cosan, which remain as competitors, will now focus on securing regulatory approvals and starting integration planning before launching the new company.
Press Release
The proposed joint venture, which still requires regulatory approval, will produce and commercialise ethanol and power from sugar cane and distribute a variety of industrial and transportation fuels through a combined distribution and retail network in Brazil. It will also explore business opportunities to produce and sell ethanol and sugar globally.
“The proposed joint venture is set to pool our complementary businesses, enhance our growth prospects in ethanol production globally and support our growth platform for our retail and commercial fuels businesses in Brazil,” said Mark Williams, Shell Downstream Director. “Over the next 20 years, sustainable biofuels are one of the most realistic commercial solutions to reduce CO2 emissions from transport.”
“While there is still plenty of integration planning to do before we launch the proposed joint venture, this is an important milestone in our effort to create one of the world’s most competitive sustainable biofuels companies,” said Rubens Ometto Silveira Mello, Cosan’s Chairman of the Board and non-executive Chairman-elect of the proposed joint venture.
With annual production capacity of over 2 billion litres, the proposed joint venture will be one of the world’s largest ethanol producers. The inclusion of Shell’s equity interests in Iogen Energy and Codexis would enable the joint venture to deploy next generation biofuels technologies in the future. The company will also generate electricity from sugar cane bagasse in cogeneration plants at all mills. Ten cogeneration plants are already operational.
With total annual sales of about 18 billion litres of fuels, the proposed joint venture will have a competitive position in the Brazilian fuels distribution market built upon a network of about 4,500 retail sites.
Today’s agreement follows the signing in February of a non-binding memorandum of understanding. With the transaction terms agreed, Shell and Cosan, which remain as competitors, will now focus on securing regulatory approvals and starting integration planning before launching the new company.
Press Release
Syracuse Researchers Use Nanobiotechnology-Manipulated Light Particles To Accelerate Algae Growth
Scientists and engineers seek to meet three goals in the production of biofuels from non-edible sources such as microalgae: efficiency, economical production and ecological sustainability. Syracuse University’s Radhakrishna Sureshkumar, professor and chair of biomedical and chemical engineering in the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science, and SU chemical engineering Ph.D. student Satvik Wani have uncovered a process that is a promising step toward accomplishing these three goals.
Sureshkumar and Wani have discovered a method to make algae, which can be used in the production of biofuels, grow faster by manipulating light particles through the use of nanobiotechnology. By creating accelerated photosynthesis, algae will grow faster with minimal change in the ecological resources required. This method is highlighted in the August 2010 issue of Nature Magazine.
The SU team has developed a new bioreactor that can enhance algae growth. They accomplished this by utilizing nanoparticles that selectively scatter blue light, promoting algae metabolism. When the optimal combination of light and confined nanoparticle suspension configuration was used, the team was able to achieve growth enhancement of an algae sample of greater than 30 percent as compared to a control.
“Algae produce triglycerides, which consist of fatty acids and glycerin. The fatty acids can be turned into biodiesel while the glycerin is a valuable byproduct,” says Sureshkumar. “Molecular biologists are actively seeking ways to engineer optimal algae strains for biofuel production. Enhancing the phototropic growth rate of such optimal organisms translates to increased productivity in harvesting the feedstock.”
The process involved the creation of a miniature bioreactor that consisted of a petri dish of a strain of green algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) on top of another dish containing a suspension of silver nanoparticles that served to backscatter blue light into the algae culture. Through model-guided experimentation, the team discovered that by varying the concentration and size of the nanoparticle solution they could manipulate the intensity and frequency of the light source, thereby achieving an optimal wavelength for algal growth.
“Implementation of easily tunable wavelength specific backscattering on larger scales still remains a challenge, but its realization will have a substantial impact on the efficient harvesting of phototrophic microorganisms and reducing parasitic growth,” says Sureshkumar. “Devices that can convert light not utilized by the algae into the useful blue spectral regime can also be envisioned.”
To date, this is one of the first explorations into utilizing nanobiotechnology to promote microalgal growth. The acceleration in the growth rate of algae also had numerous benefits outside the area of biofuel production. Sureshkumar and Wani will be looking to employ this discovery to further their research in creating environmental sensors for ecological warning systems.
Source : Syracuse University
Sureshkumar and Wani have discovered a method to make algae, which can be used in the production of biofuels, grow faster by manipulating light particles through the use of nanobiotechnology. By creating accelerated photosynthesis, algae will grow faster with minimal change in the ecological resources required. This method is highlighted in the August 2010 issue of Nature Magazine.
The SU team has developed a new bioreactor that can enhance algae growth. They accomplished this by utilizing nanoparticles that selectively scatter blue light, promoting algae metabolism. When the optimal combination of light and confined nanoparticle suspension configuration was used, the team was able to achieve growth enhancement of an algae sample of greater than 30 percent as compared to a control.
“Algae produce triglycerides, which consist of fatty acids and glycerin. The fatty acids can be turned into biodiesel while the glycerin is a valuable byproduct,” says Sureshkumar. “Molecular biologists are actively seeking ways to engineer optimal algae strains for biofuel production. Enhancing the phototropic growth rate of such optimal organisms translates to increased productivity in harvesting the feedstock.”
The process involved the creation of a miniature bioreactor that consisted of a petri dish of a strain of green algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) on top of another dish containing a suspension of silver nanoparticles that served to backscatter blue light into the algae culture. Through model-guided experimentation, the team discovered that by varying the concentration and size of the nanoparticle solution they could manipulate the intensity and frequency of the light source, thereby achieving an optimal wavelength for algal growth.
“Implementation of easily tunable wavelength specific backscattering on larger scales still remains a challenge, but its realization will have a substantial impact on the efficient harvesting of phototrophic microorganisms and reducing parasitic growth,” says Sureshkumar. “Devices that can convert light not utilized by the algae into the useful blue spectral regime can also be envisioned.”
To date, this is one of the first explorations into utilizing nanobiotechnology to promote microalgal growth. The acceleration in the growth rate of algae also had numerous benefits outside the area of biofuel production. Sureshkumar and Wani will be looking to employ this discovery to further their research in creating environmental sensors for ecological warning systems.
Source : Syracuse University
August 24, 2010
KL Energy And Petrobras America Working On Cellulosic Ethanol From Bagasse
KL Energy and Petrobras America have entered into a Joint Development Agreement to jointly optimize KL Energy's technology for producing cellulosic ethanol from sugarcane bagasse.
The latest generation of KL Energy's process design provides for substantial enhancements over the first generation, implemented in 2008 at the company's demonstration plant in Upton, Wyoming using Ponderosa Pine feedstock, including the ability to be optimized for multiple feedstocks.
As part of this agreement, Petrobras will provide US$ 11 million to adapt KL Energy's demonstration facility to the use of Bagasse, validate the optimized process by producing cellulosic ethanol and bio-lignin from Bagasse in multiple campaigns and license the technology.
In parallel, Petrobras and KL Energy will jointly work on an industrial scale Bagasse based cellulosic ethanol plant project that shall be fully integrated into a sugarcane mill belonging to the Petrobras Group in Brazil slated to go on stream in 2013.
The agreement, which has an initial term of 18 months and provides for mutual exclusivity in the area of developing cellulosic ethanol from Bagasse, provides Petrobras with the option to enter into a technology license for the use of KL Energy's technology within Petrobras Group assets.
Source : Press Release
The latest generation of KL Energy's process design provides for substantial enhancements over the first generation, implemented in 2008 at the company's demonstration plant in Upton, Wyoming using Ponderosa Pine feedstock, including the ability to be optimized for multiple feedstocks.
As part of this agreement, Petrobras will provide US$ 11 million to adapt KL Energy's demonstration facility to the use of Bagasse, validate the optimized process by producing cellulosic ethanol and bio-lignin from Bagasse in multiple campaigns and license the technology.
In parallel, Petrobras and KL Energy will jointly work on an industrial scale Bagasse based cellulosic ethanol plant project that shall be fully integrated into a sugarcane mill belonging to the Petrobras Group in Brazil slated to go on stream in 2013.
The agreement, which has an initial term of 18 months and provides for mutual exclusivity in the area of developing cellulosic ethanol from Bagasse, provides Petrobras with the option to enter into a technology license for the use of KL Energy's technology within Petrobras Group assets.
Source : Press Release
August 23, 2010
Fire At The POET Chancellor Ethanol Plant
The ArgusLeader is reporting a fire at the POET Biorefining facility in Chancellor, SD. The plant produces 100 million gallons per year of ethanol and is POET's largest plant.
Details about the blaze were not immediately available late Monday evening.
Source : ArgusLeader.com
Update : According to KELOLAND.com there was no major damage or injuries and the fire was quickly brought under control.
Details about the blaze were not immediately available late Monday evening.
Source : ArgusLeader.com
Update : According to KELOLAND.com there was no major damage or injuries and the fire was quickly brought under control.
The Effects Of Soot On Global Climate Change
A recently released study highlighted the contribution that soot has on global climate change.
Stanford researcher Mark Jacobson examined the effects of soot — black and brown particles that absorb solar radiation — from two types of sources: Fossil fuels — diesel, coal, gasoline, jet fuel — and from solid biofuels, such as wood, manure, dung and other biomass. He also focused in detail on the effects of soot on heating clouds, snow and ice.
What he found was that the combination of both types of soot is the second-leading cause of global warming after carbon dioxide and ahead of methane, an important greenhouse gas.
Soot from fossil fuels contains more black carbon which is highly efficient at absorbing solar radiation in the atmosphere, just like a black shirt on a sunny day. Black carbon converts sunlight to heat and radiates it back to the air around it. This is different from greenhouse gases, which primarily trap heat that rises from the Earth’s surface. Black carbon also can absorb light reflecting from Earth’s surface, which helps make it such a potent warming agent.
A summary of the results can be found here. The full study can be found here.
Since ethanol blended with gasoline and biodiesel blended with diesel emit less soot when burned than straight gasoline and diesel alone, this could be another way in which ethanol and biodiesel contribute to lessening the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels.
Stanford researcher Mark Jacobson examined the effects of soot — black and brown particles that absorb solar radiation — from two types of sources: Fossil fuels — diesel, coal, gasoline, jet fuel — and from solid biofuels, such as wood, manure, dung and other biomass. He also focused in detail on the effects of soot on heating clouds, snow and ice.
What he found was that the combination of both types of soot is the second-leading cause of global warming after carbon dioxide and ahead of methane, an important greenhouse gas.
Soot from fossil fuels contains more black carbon which is highly efficient at absorbing solar radiation in the atmosphere, just like a black shirt on a sunny day. Black carbon converts sunlight to heat and radiates it back to the air around it. This is different from greenhouse gases, which primarily trap heat that rises from the Earth’s surface. Black carbon also can absorb light reflecting from Earth’s surface, which helps make it such a potent warming agent.
A summary of the results can be found here. The full study can be found here.
Since ethanol blended with gasoline and biodiesel blended with diesel emit less soot when burned than straight gasoline and diesel alone, this could be another way in which ethanol and biodiesel contribute to lessening the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels.
Termite Enzymes Could Lower The Cost Of Cellulosic Ethanol Production
University of Florida researchers have identified two new enzymes found in termite saliva that could lower the cost of producing cellulosic ethanol.
Source : University of Florida News
Cellulosic ethanol is a fuel produced from the inedible portions of plants, material often discarded as trash. The process often involves genetically engineered microbes such as bacteria or fungi to break down sugars found in the cell walls of the plants.
Before the microbes can do their work, however, they must first get past lignin, the compound largely responsible for making wood “woody” instead of soft.
During ethanol production, lignin molecules are clumped around the sugar molecules, forming a barrier the microbes often can’t penetrate.
So, the material must first be exposed to heat and steam or caustic acids and bases to break that barrier down. These extra steps make the process much more expensive and often generate hazardous waste.
As they report in a paper published online in the journal Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, researchers at UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have determined that enzymes found in termite salivary tissues may be able to accomplish the same task, and at room temperature.
“Once we figure out the best way to integrate this sort of enzyme into the process, it could drop the cost of producing cellulosic ethanol significantly,” said UF entomologist Mike Scharf, who led the research, a collaboration between UF/IFAS and the biotechnology company Chesapeake-PERL Inc. of Savage, Md.
The work was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and The Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research Inc.
Source : University of Florida News
August 22, 2010
Kettering University Converts A Chevy Silverado To Run On Biogas
It may be a white Chevy Silverado, but it represents the future of green in Flint.
Kettering University, officials from Swedish Biogas International, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling and others unveiled Flint's first biomethane fuel truck during a ceremony in front of Kettering’s Academic Building on Thursday, Aug. 19.
Students, working with faculty members at Kettering, have converted a 2500HD Chevy Silverado to run on a dual-fuel system. The vehicle can be powered by biomethane gas, a renewable alternative fuel that will be produced at the new biomethane plant in Flint.
To accomplish this dual-fuel use, Kettering called on one of its alums to help out. Rebecca Royer ’81, owner and president of Baytech Corp., installed a kit in April that allows the biofuel truck to run on both natural gas and gasoline. The natural gas is stored in a tank in the truck bed and is piped into the engine bay, ending at the top of the engine.
The on-board computer switches automatically between gasoline and natural gas while driving. Because the composition of natural gas and bio-methane are so similar, the truck should run well with bio-methane in the tank instead of natural gas, said student Nolan McCann, research assistant to Brenda Lemke and Dr. Ahmad Pourmovahed, professor of Mechanical Engineering.
Kettering researchers plan to run the vehicle on the bio-methane produced from the Flint Wastewater Treatment Plant and Swedish Biogas project. The Swedish Biogas Project will produce alternative energy from waste removed from the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The project is a collaboration of Swedish Biogas International (SBI), Kettering University, and the city of Flint, with support from the C.S. Mott Foundation, Swedish agencies, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
Source : Kettering University News
Kettering University, officials from Swedish Biogas International, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling and others unveiled Flint's first biomethane fuel truck during a ceremony in front of Kettering’s Academic Building on Thursday, Aug. 19.
Students, working with faculty members at Kettering, have converted a 2500HD Chevy Silverado to run on a dual-fuel system. The vehicle can be powered by biomethane gas, a renewable alternative fuel that will be produced at the new biomethane plant in Flint.
To accomplish this dual-fuel use, Kettering called on one of its alums to help out. Rebecca Royer ’81, owner and president of Baytech Corp., installed a kit in April that allows the biofuel truck to run on both natural gas and gasoline. The natural gas is stored in a tank in the truck bed and is piped into the engine bay, ending at the top of the engine.
The on-board computer switches automatically between gasoline and natural gas while driving. Because the composition of natural gas and bio-methane are so similar, the truck should run well with bio-methane in the tank instead of natural gas, said student Nolan McCann, research assistant to Brenda Lemke and Dr. Ahmad Pourmovahed, professor of Mechanical Engineering.
Kettering researchers plan to run the vehicle on the bio-methane produced from the Flint Wastewater Treatment Plant and Swedish Biogas project. The Swedish Biogas Project will produce alternative energy from waste removed from the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The project is a collaboration of Swedish Biogas International (SBI), Kettering University, and the city of Flint, with support from the C.S. Mott Foundation, Swedish agencies, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
Source : Kettering University News
August 21, 2010
Privtate Biodiesel Plants Close, Public Biodiesel Plant Opens
News items from the past couple of weeks paint a bleak picture for the biodiesel industry.
This follows the news last week that Best BioDiesel was closing.
We have known for some time that the biodiesel industry is struggling to survive. As I pointed out earlier, it is estimated that roughly half of the 50,000 U.S. jobs directly associated in biodiesel production have been lost the past two years.
But there are some biodiesel plants that are opening or expanding their operations. The problem is they are all public entities.
I hope this isn't a growing trend where we see government entities producing biodiesel instead of supporting nearby businesses already involved in the industry. In the case of the Enterprise, AL project, there is a 10 million gallon per year biodiesel plant within 100 miles in southwest Georgia. There are also several biodiesel plants located in Alabama. Yet even with a nearby supply they didn't run their city vehicles on biodiesel till their own plant opened.
Vt. biodiesel plant closes, victim of federal decision not to renew tax credits - August 21, 2010
The Biocardel facility, in a former Agway plant in Swanton, was slated to eventually produce as much as eight million gallons of biodiesel a year. The now-expired federal tax credit effectively gave companies $1 a gallon in tax breaks to make the production of the alternative fuel – made from soybean oil, waste cooking oil or other vegetable oils – economically viable.
The Biocardel facility began limited production last fall, made about seven trucks which each hold 6,000 gallons overall, Daigle said. For logistical reasons that fuel was apparently all sold outside Vermont. In December the firm, which employed three, began hiring to expand its operation.
However uncertainty about the fate of the tax credits prompted a delay, which proved prudent once the credits expired. The firm tried to wait out the problem – hoping for a return of the credits – but investors simply ran out of money and after working with Biocardel, VEDA began recalling the loans a few weeks ago, he said.
The timing of the end of the federal tax credits, effectively a third of the company’s revenue, “could not have been any worse,” Daigle said. “We have done everything we could to try and keep the plant alive.”
This follows the news last week that Best BioDiesel was closing.
Best BioDiesel Cashton plant shuts down - Aug. 11, 2010
Best BioDiesel Cashton LLC, a subsidiary of Madison, Wis.-based Best Energies Inc., shut down operations at its 8 MMgy facility in Cashton, Wis., citing the lapse of the federal blender tax credit as the determining factor behind the decision.
We have known for some time that the biodiesel industry is struggling to survive. As I pointed out earlier, it is estimated that roughly half of the 50,000 U.S. jobs directly associated in biodiesel production have been lost the past two years.
But there are some biodiesel plants that are opening or expanding their operations. The problem is they are all public entities.
Alabama’s newest plant opens in Enterprise - Aug. 16, 2010
Employees at the Enterprise, Ala., Public Works Facility can add a new duty to their job descriptions: biodiesel production. After 15 years of development, the city officially announced its new biodiesel facility is up and running, with major supporter Gov. Bob Riley in attendance.
The city fueling station, which provides fuel for 85 city diesel fleet vehicles, six mental health and seven rescue squad diesels, will now carry B20 for those same vehicles.
Dallas residents can recycle used cooking oil at new station at Richland College - August 16, 2010
Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) and the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) today announced the installation of a cooking grease and oil recycling station at Richland College in northeast Dallas, the second recycling station installed on a DCCCD campus this year. A recycling station was installed at Mountain View College in southwest Dallas earlier this summer.
The Dallas County Independent School District, which operates school buses for Dallas and other school districts in the county, picks up the used cooking oil for conversion into and converts it to biodiesel.
I hope this isn't a growing trend where we see government entities producing biodiesel instead of supporting nearby businesses already involved in the industry. In the case of the Enterprise, AL project, there is a 10 million gallon per year biodiesel plant within 100 miles in southwest Georgia. There are also several biodiesel plants located in Alabama. Yet even with a nearby supply they didn't run their city vehicles on biodiesel till their own plant opened.
August 20, 2010
July Crude Oil Imports Rose By 5.6%
According to the American Petroleum Institute (API), crude oil imports for July rose by 5.6% compared to July of last year. Crude oil imports averaged 9.6 million barrels per day.
Source : API Press Release
Source : API Press Release
August 19, 2010
New York City Enacts Law Requiring 2% Biodiesel In Heating Oil
On August 16, 2010, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed into law a bill requiring heating oil to contain 2% biodiesel beginning in October 2012.
Mayor Bloomberg made the following statement at the signing event.
Source : Mayor Bloomberg's Office
Mayor Bloomberg made the following statement at the signing event.
"The final bill before me today is Introductory Number 194-A, sponsored by Council Members Gennaro, Brewer, Fidler, James, Koppell, Lander, Sanders, Van Bramer, Mark-Viverito, Lappin, Levin, Nelson, Garodnick, Crowley, Mendez, Vacca, Koslowitz, Recchia, Chin, Williams, Ferreras, Jackson and Barron. Introductory Number 194-A will significantly reduce pollution, promote the use of alternative fuels, create new 'green' jobs and vastly improve air quality throughout the City.
"Promoting the use of cleaner burning heating fuels is one of fourteen air quality initiatives from PlaNYC 2030 and I am pleased to say that the legislation before me today will do just that. Introductory Number 194-A requires that by 2012, the sulfur content of Number 4 heating oils be limited to no more than 1,500 parts per million and all heating oils used in New York City contain at least two percent biodiesel.
"Intro 194-A will complement the new State law, signed last month by Governor Paterson, that reduces the sulfur content in Number 2 heating oil by 99 percent. Together with forthcoming regulations from the Department of Environmental Protection, these initiatives will literally save lives.
"I would like to thank Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Thomas Farley, and Acting Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability Director Adam Freed and their staffs, especially Carter Strickland and Kizzy Charles-Guzman, as well as my office of City Legislative Affairs for their work on this bill. I would also like to thank the environmental and public health advocates for their support and the City Council for approving this legislation."
Source : Mayor Bloomberg's Office
Scientist IDs genes that promise to make biofuel production more efficient, economical
A University of Illinois metabolic engineer has taken the first step toward the more efficient and economical production of biofuels by developing a strain of yeast with increased alcohol tolerance.
Biofuels are produced through microbial fermentation of biomass crops, which yield the alcohol-based fuels ethanol and iso-butanol if yeast is used as the microbe to convert sugars from biomass into biofuels.
"However, at a certain concentration, the biofuels that are being created become toxic to the yeast used in making them. Our goal was to find a gene or genes that reduce this toxic effect," said Yong-Su Jin, an assistant professor of microbial genomics in the U of I Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and a faculty member in the U of I's Institute for Genomic Biology.
Jin worked with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the microbe most often used in making ethanol, to identify four genes (MSN2, DOG1, HAL1, and INO1) that improve tolerance to ethanol and iso-butanol when they are overexpressed.
"We expect these genes will serve as key components of a genetic toolbox for breeding yeast with high ethanol tolerance for efficient ethanol fermentation," he said.
To assess the overexpressed genes' contribution to the components that have limited biofuel production, the scientists tested them in the presence of high concentrations of glucose (10%), ethanol (5%), and iso-butanol (1%) and compared their performance to a control strain of S. cerevisiae.
Overexpression of any of the four genes remarkably increased ethanol tolerance, but the strain in which INO1 was overexpressed elicited the highest ethanol yield and productivity—with increases of more than 70 percent for ethanol volume and more than 340 percent for ethanol tolerance when compared to the control strain.
According to Jin, the functions of the identified genes are very diverse and unrelated, which suggests that tolerance to high concentrations of iso-butanol and ethanol might involve the complex interactions of many genetic elements in yeast.
"For example, some genes increase cellular viability at the expense of fermentation. Others are more balanced between these two functions," he said.
"Identification of these genes should enable us to produce transportation fuels from biomass more economically and efficiently. It's a first step in understanding the cellular reaction that currently limits the production process," he said.
Further study of these genes should increase alcohol tolerance even further, and that will translate into cost savings and greater efficiency during biofuel production, he added.
The article appears in the August 20 issue of the Journal of Biotechology. Co-authors are Min-Eui Hong, Ki-Sung Lee, Byung Jo Yu, and Dae-Hyuk Kweon of the Sungkyunkwan University in Suwon, Republic of Korea; Sung Min Park, Hyun Min Koo, and Jae Chan Park of Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Yongin, Republic of Korea. This research was supported by the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology.
Source : University of Illinois
Biofuels are produced through microbial fermentation of biomass crops, which yield the alcohol-based fuels ethanol and iso-butanol if yeast is used as the microbe to convert sugars from biomass into biofuels.
"However, at a certain concentration, the biofuels that are being created become toxic to the yeast used in making them. Our goal was to find a gene or genes that reduce this toxic effect," said Yong-Su Jin, an assistant professor of microbial genomics in the U of I Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and a faculty member in the U of I's Institute for Genomic Biology.
Jin worked with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the microbe most often used in making ethanol, to identify four genes (MSN2, DOG1, HAL1, and INO1) that improve tolerance to ethanol and iso-butanol when they are overexpressed.
"We expect these genes will serve as key components of a genetic toolbox for breeding yeast with high ethanol tolerance for efficient ethanol fermentation," he said.
To assess the overexpressed genes' contribution to the components that have limited biofuel production, the scientists tested them in the presence of high concentrations of glucose (10%), ethanol (5%), and iso-butanol (1%) and compared their performance to a control strain of S. cerevisiae.
Overexpression of any of the four genes remarkably increased ethanol tolerance, but the strain in which INO1 was overexpressed elicited the highest ethanol yield and productivity—with increases of more than 70 percent for ethanol volume and more than 340 percent for ethanol tolerance when compared to the control strain.
According to Jin, the functions of the identified genes are very diverse and unrelated, which suggests that tolerance to high concentrations of iso-butanol and ethanol might involve the complex interactions of many genetic elements in yeast.
"For example, some genes increase cellular viability at the expense of fermentation. Others are more balanced between these two functions," he said.
"Identification of these genes should enable us to produce transportation fuels from biomass more economically and efficiently. It's a first step in understanding the cellular reaction that currently limits the production process," he said.
Further study of these genes should increase alcohol tolerance even further, and that will translate into cost savings and greater efficiency during biofuel production, he added.
The article appears in the August 20 issue of the Journal of Biotechology. Co-authors are Min-Eui Hong, Ki-Sung Lee, Byung Jo Yu, and Dae-Hyuk Kweon of the Sungkyunkwan University in Suwon, Republic of Korea; Sung Min Park, Hyun Min Koo, and Jae Chan Park of Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Yongin, Republic of Korea. This research was supported by the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology.
Source : University of Illinois
August 17, 2010
Flint Hills Resources to Acquire Two Iowa Ethanol Plants
Flint Hills Resources announced today plans to acquire the Hawkeye ethanol plants in Menlo and Shell Rock, Iowa. On August, 16, 2010, Flint Hills Resources signed an agreement for the purchase of the plants with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
The Menlo and Shell Rock ethanol plants opened in 2008. The plants each employ about 50 people and each produces about 110 million gallons of ethanol annually.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our company,” said Brad Razook, president of Flint Hills Resources. “These are high-quality, second-generation ethanol plants that are well-positioned to serve major U.S. fuels markets.”
“Both Menlo and Shell Rock have highly valued, professional workforces, which was an important aspect of our decision to acquire these facilities,” Razook said.
No purchase price was disclosed; the sale is expected to close in September.
Flint Hills Resources, a leading producer of transportation fuels in the Upper Midwest, already has a significant presence in Iowa. The company distributes refined fuels throughout the state and owns a fuel terminal in Bettendorf, Iowa. Flint Hills also operates asphalt plants in Algona, Davenport and Dubuque.
In addition, Flint Hills Resources is an independent subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., which, according to Forbes magazine, is one of the largest private companies in the world. The company, through its subsidiaries, has several pipeline, manufacturing and fertilizer assets in Iowa.
Flint Hills is the largest purchaser of ethanol in Minnesota, where it has utilized ethanol and other biofuels in its fuel distribution system since the mid-’90s. The company produces transportation fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel at its 320,000-barrel-per-day refinery outside of St. Paul, Minn. Flint Hills also owns and operates refineries in Texas and Alaska.
“This acquisition enhances our base business and allows us to compete more completely in the fuels market,” Razook said. “It puts us in position to create value for our customers in a segment of the fuels market that is becoming increasingly important.”
Flint Hills Resources’ commitment to safety and environmentally responsible operations will extend to the Menlo and Shell Rock plants. “As with all of our facilities, our top priorities for these plants will be their safe and responsible operation,” Razook said.
Flint Hills will conduct a full evaluation of each plant’s operations, but the company does not anticipate making any immediate changes.
Both plants were originally owned by Hawkeye Growth. The Royal Bank of Scotland is collateral agent for the senior secured lenders to the owner of the plants. The Royal Bank of Scotland was advised on this transaction by Carl Marks Advisory Group, LLC and, on legal matters, by Latham & Watkins LLP.
Source : Press Release
The Menlo and Shell Rock ethanol plants opened in 2008. The plants each employ about 50 people and each produces about 110 million gallons of ethanol annually.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our company,” said Brad Razook, president of Flint Hills Resources. “These are high-quality, second-generation ethanol plants that are well-positioned to serve major U.S. fuels markets.”
“Both Menlo and Shell Rock have highly valued, professional workforces, which was an important aspect of our decision to acquire these facilities,” Razook said.
No purchase price was disclosed; the sale is expected to close in September.
Flint Hills Resources, a leading producer of transportation fuels in the Upper Midwest, already has a significant presence in Iowa. The company distributes refined fuels throughout the state and owns a fuel terminal in Bettendorf, Iowa. Flint Hills also operates asphalt plants in Algona, Davenport and Dubuque.
In addition, Flint Hills Resources is an independent subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., which, according to Forbes magazine, is one of the largest private companies in the world. The company, through its subsidiaries, has several pipeline, manufacturing and fertilizer assets in Iowa.
Flint Hills is the largest purchaser of ethanol in Minnesota, where it has utilized ethanol and other biofuels in its fuel distribution system since the mid-’90s. The company produces transportation fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel at its 320,000-barrel-per-day refinery outside of St. Paul, Minn. Flint Hills also owns and operates refineries in Texas and Alaska.
“This acquisition enhances our base business and allows us to compete more completely in the fuels market,” Razook said. “It puts us in position to create value for our customers in a segment of the fuels market that is becoming increasingly important.”
Flint Hills Resources’ commitment to safety and environmentally responsible operations will extend to the Menlo and Shell Rock plants. “As with all of our facilities, our top priorities for these plants will be their safe and responsible operation,” Razook said.
Flint Hills will conduct a full evaluation of each plant’s operations, but the company does not anticipate making any immediate changes.
Both plants were originally owned by Hawkeye Growth. The Royal Bank of Scotland is collateral agent for the senior secured lenders to the owner of the plants. The Royal Bank of Scotland was advised on this transaction by Carl Marks Advisory Group, LLC and, on legal matters, by Latham & Watkins LLP.
Source : Press Release
Vilsack says EPA has sent signal on E15
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said at the Iowa State Fair that he thought that the EPA has signaled it's intention to raise the allowable volume of ethanol in gasoline to 15%.
Source : RadioIowa
“I think that the E.P.A. administrator has indicated that we’re going to have E15. I think when she talked about labeling and starting to work on that, that’s an indication we’re going to have it,” Vilsack says. “The question is what vehicles will it apply to and, then, how do we build the industry from there.”
Source : RadioIowa
Range Fuels Produces Cellulosic Methanol
Range Fuels, Inc., a company focused on commercially producing low-carbon biofuels and clean renewable power, today announced that it has produced cellulosic methanol from the initial phase of its first commercial cellulosic biofuels plant near Soperton, Georgia using non-food biomass.
The first phase of the Soperton Plant operations employs Range Fuels' innovative, two-step thermo-chemical process, which uses heat, pressure, and steam to convert non-food biomass, such as woody biomass and grasses into a synthesis gas composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The syngas is then passed over a proprietary catalyst to produce mixed alcohols that are separated and processed to yield a variety of low-carbon biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol and methanol.
The cellulosic methanol produced from Phase 1 will be used to produce biodiesel, ultimately displacing diesel oil in transportation fuel markets. It may also be used to displace diesel in heating applications, used as a fuel additive in gasoline-powered motor vehicles, or used to power fuel cells. Range Fuels plans to begin production of cellulosic ethanol from the plant in the third quarter this year. The cellulosic ethanol will meet ASTM standards for fuel-grade ethanol and will be used to displace gasoline in local and regional transportation fuel markets.
"We are ecstatic to be producing cellulosic methanol from our Soperton Plant, and are on track to begin production of cellulosic ethanol in the third quarter of this year," said David Aldous, Range Fuels' President and CEO. "This milestone is a giant step in overcoming the technological and financing challenges facing the commercialization of cellulosic biofuels and positions us extremely well to expand production of cellulosic biofuels. Additionally, with the first U.S. commercial production of cellulosic biofuels from non-food biomass, Range Fuels has taken a giant step in delivering on its vision of offering solutions to the pressing global challenges of energy independence, the environment, and the economy."
The Soperton Plant will initially use woody biomass from nearby timber operations, but plans to experiment with other types of renewable biomass as feedstock for the conversion process, including herbaceous feedstocks like miscanthus and switchgrass. Range Fuels plans to expand the capacity of the plant to 60 million gallons of cellulosic biofuels annually with construction to begin next summer. The Soperton Plant is permitted to produce 100 million gallons of ethanol and methanol each year.
Source : Press Release
The first phase of the Soperton Plant operations employs Range Fuels' innovative, two-step thermo-chemical process, which uses heat, pressure, and steam to convert non-food biomass, such as woody biomass and grasses into a synthesis gas composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The syngas is then passed over a proprietary catalyst to produce mixed alcohols that are separated and processed to yield a variety of low-carbon biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol and methanol.
The cellulosic methanol produced from Phase 1 will be used to produce biodiesel, ultimately displacing diesel oil in transportation fuel markets. It may also be used to displace diesel in heating applications, used as a fuel additive in gasoline-powered motor vehicles, or used to power fuel cells. Range Fuels plans to begin production of cellulosic ethanol from the plant in the third quarter this year. The cellulosic ethanol will meet ASTM standards for fuel-grade ethanol and will be used to displace gasoline in local and regional transportation fuel markets.
"We are ecstatic to be producing cellulosic methanol from our Soperton Plant, and are on track to begin production of cellulosic ethanol in the third quarter of this year," said David Aldous, Range Fuels' President and CEO. "This milestone is a giant step in overcoming the technological and financing challenges facing the commercialization of cellulosic biofuels and positions us extremely well to expand production of cellulosic biofuels. Additionally, with the first U.S. commercial production of cellulosic biofuels from non-food biomass, Range Fuels has taken a giant step in delivering on its vision of offering solutions to the pressing global challenges of energy independence, the environment, and the economy."
The Soperton Plant will initially use woody biomass from nearby timber operations, but plans to experiment with other types of renewable biomass as feedstock for the conversion process, including herbaceous feedstocks like miscanthus and switchgrass. Range Fuels plans to expand the capacity of the plant to 60 million gallons of cellulosic biofuels annually with construction to begin next summer. The Soperton Plant is permitted to produce 100 million gallons of ethanol and methanol each year.
Source : Press Release
BlueFire Ethanol Changes Name To BlueFire Renewables
BlueFire Ethanol is changing it's name to BlueFire Renewables to better reflect the fact that they can produce a number of renewable fuels not just ethanol.
Through its internally-designed and third-party-developed back-end technologies, BlueFire can produce a vast array of other Biofuels, including Biodiesel, BioJet Fuel, Drop-in Directs, and more. As such, the name change and rebranding as a renewable energy company more clearly represents the many applications for which BlueFire's technology can be applied.
"BlueFire is more than just an ethanol company. We're happy to at last announce the expansion of our capabilities, and feel that this name captures our spirit for innovation and development of cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels," says Arnold Klann, CEO of BlueFire Renewables, Inc. "Our goal with this name change is to demonstrate the company's potential to vertically integrate our technology into other areas of renewable energy and help us avoid the confusion with traditional ethanol producers."
Along with the name change, BlueFire Renewables is also in the process of developing a new website which can be found at http://www.bfreinc.com.
Source : Press Release
Through its internally-designed and third-party-developed back-end technologies, BlueFire can produce a vast array of other Biofuels, including Biodiesel, BioJet Fuel, Drop-in Directs, and more. As such, the name change and rebranding as a renewable energy company more clearly represents the many applications for which BlueFire's technology can be applied.
"BlueFire is more than just an ethanol company. We're happy to at last announce the expansion of our capabilities, and feel that this name captures our spirit for innovation and development of cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels," says Arnold Klann, CEO of BlueFire Renewables, Inc. "Our goal with this name change is to demonstrate the company's potential to vertically integrate our technology into other areas of renewable energy and help us avoid the confusion with traditional ethanol producers."
Along with the name change, BlueFire Renewables is also in the process of developing a new website which can be found at http://www.bfreinc.com.
Source : Press Release
August 15, 2010
Researcher Produce Ethanol From Seaweed
Scientists from Tohoku University and Tohoku Electric Power Co. have developed a technology to efficiently generate ethanol from seaweed such as sea tangle and sea grape, group members said Saturday.
The technology uses natural yeast discovered by the group as well as a new fermentation method, according to the group led by Minoru Sato, professor of marine biochemistry at Tohoku University.
The scientists mixed finely cut seaweed with enzymes and blended the substance to melt into a pulp before adding the natural yeast to ferment it. In two weeks, they succeeded in generating 200 milliliters of ethanol from 1 kg of seaweed.
Source : The Japan Times Online
The technology uses natural yeast discovered by the group as well as a new fermentation method, according to the group led by Minoru Sato, professor of marine biochemistry at Tohoku University.
The scientists mixed finely cut seaweed with enzymes and blended the substance to melt into a pulp before adding the natural yeast to ferment it. In two weeks, they succeeded in generating 200 milliliters of ethanol from 1 kg of seaweed.
Source : The Japan Times Online
August 13, 2010
Xylogenics and Lallemand Ethanol Technology Partner To Develop New Yeasts
Xylogenics, Inc., a bioengineering company, and Lallemand Ethanol Technology, a global provider of yeast to the fuel ethanol industry, today announced they have signed an exclusive agreement to develop and commercialize genetically enhanced ethanol producing yeasts for 1st generation fuel ethanol production.
Xylogenics is using its extensive knowledge of yeast genomics in cooperation with Lallemand to engineer a new class of industrial ethanol yeast strains. These enhanced yeasts will increase fermentation yield, reduce fermentation costs and potentially increase ethanol plant fermentation capacity compared with current commercial strains. Lallemand will be responsible for process development, manufacturing and commercialization of the new yeast. Under the terms of the agreement, Xylogenics will receive patent license fees and royalty payments.
“Xylogenics is thrilled to be partnering with Lallemand, a global leader in fermentation technology and we are looking forward to bringing our exciting technology to the market,” said Mike Neibler, Xylogenics CEO. “We are confident that our combined strengths will allow us to move quickly to commercialization and make a positive impact on the fuel ethanol industry economics.”
“We have been working with Xylogenics for some time and this agreement signals that we are confident that Xylogenics technology offers significant benefits for the fuel ethanol industry,” said Bill Nankervis, President of Lallemand Specialties, Inc. and General Manager of Lallemand Ethanol Technology. “Xylogenics and Lallemand are committed to delivering a yeast that will set a new fermentation performance standard and deliver improved profitability to our customers.”
Source : Press Release
Xylogenics is using its extensive knowledge of yeast genomics in cooperation with Lallemand to engineer a new class of industrial ethanol yeast strains. These enhanced yeasts will increase fermentation yield, reduce fermentation costs and potentially increase ethanol plant fermentation capacity compared with current commercial strains. Lallemand will be responsible for process development, manufacturing and commercialization of the new yeast. Under the terms of the agreement, Xylogenics will receive patent license fees and royalty payments.
“Xylogenics is thrilled to be partnering with Lallemand, a global leader in fermentation technology and we are looking forward to bringing our exciting technology to the market,” said Mike Neibler, Xylogenics CEO. “We are confident that our combined strengths will allow us to move quickly to commercialization and make a positive impact on the fuel ethanol industry economics.”
“We have been working with Xylogenics for some time and this agreement signals that we are confident that Xylogenics technology offers significant benefits for the fuel ethanol industry,” said Bill Nankervis, President of Lallemand Specialties, Inc. and General Manager of Lallemand Ethanol Technology. “Xylogenics and Lallemand are committed to delivering a yeast that will set a new fermentation performance standard and deliver improved profitability to our customers.”
Source : Press Release
Aventine Acquires Riverland Biofuels Ethanol Plant
Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of an ethanol plant from New CIE Energy Opco, LLC, d/b/a Riverland Biofuels.
On August 6, 2010, the Company and Riverland entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired substantially all of the assets, and assumed specified liabilities, of Riverland for a purchase price of $16.5 million. The assets comprised an ethanol production facility located in Canton, Illinois, and included real property at the plant site as well as surrounding parcels. The acquisition closed on August 6, 2010. We intend for the Canton facility to be transferred to a newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Tom Manuel, CEO of Aventine said: "This is an exciting opportunity to acquire a 38 million gallon facility at a favorable price. When operational, we will leverage the proximity of the Canton facility to our Pekin, Illinois facilities to gain marketing and operational synergies."
Source : Press Release
On August 6, 2010, the Company and Riverland entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired substantially all of the assets, and assumed specified liabilities, of Riverland for a purchase price of $16.5 million. The assets comprised an ethanol production facility located in Canton, Illinois, and included real property at the plant site as well as surrounding parcels. The acquisition closed on August 6, 2010. We intend for the Canton facility to be transferred to a newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Tom Manuel, CEO of Aventine said: "This is an exciting opportunity to acquire a 38 million gallon facility at a favorable price. When operational, we will leverage the proximity of the Canton facility to our Pekin, Illinois facilities to gain marketing and operational synergies."
Source : Press Release
August 11, 2010
Sunoco Fulton Ethanol Plant To Capture Carbon Dioxide
Linde North America has begun production at one of its newest plants, which makes carbon dioxide (CO2) from ethanol in Fulton, New York.
Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company. The new 600 ton-per-day CO2 plant is located at the Sunoco ethanol plant, housed in a former brewery in the Riverview Business Park, some 25 miles north of Syracuse.
“This plant enhances our ability to provide a reliable supply of CO2 to our customers in the Northeast. Linde now has the largest CO2 production capacity in the region – over 1200 tons a day,” said Pat Murphy, president, Linde North America.
Sunoco’s Fulton plant is the largest ethanol plant in the Northeast, using some 41 million bushels of corn, much of it grown locally, as feedstock to produce approximately 100 million gallons of ethanol a year. More than 65 workers are employed by Sunoco, Linde and the project’s other on-site partner-suppliers.
Michael G. McKee, general manager of Sunoco’s ethanol business, said, “Sunoco’s partnership with Linde is good for the environment and the local economy. Capturing, processing, and re-selling CO2 will mean more jobs for the local economy and further position our ethanol facility as one of the nation’s cleanest and greenest.”
Linde’s plant, which produces CO2 for use in food, beverage and chemical manufacturing, captures CO2 emissions from the ethanol plant that would otherwise be vented into the atmosphere. Linde purifies and liquefies the CO2 for sale to customers located throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New England.
Adding this plant means Linde’s extensive East Coast network of CO2 rail depots will now be supplied from a local plant, while still maintaining backup supply from points south and farther west. This plant is the latest addition to Linde’s network of more than 30 CO2 plants around the U.S.
Source: Press Release
Related Posts
Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company. The new 600 ton-per-day CO2 plant is located at the Sunoco ethanol plant, housed in a former brewery in the Riverview Business Park, some 25 miles north of Syracuse.
“This plant enhances our ability to provide a reliable supply of CO2 to our customers in the Northeast. Linde now has the largest CO2 production capacity in the region – over 1200 tons a day,” said Pat Murphy, president, Linde North America.
Sunoco’s Fulton plant is the largest ethanol plant in the Northeast, using some 41 million bushels of corn, much of it grown locally, as feedstock to produce approximately 100 million gallons of ethanol a year. More than 65 workers are employed by Sunoco, Linde and the project’s other on-site partner-suppliers.
Michael G. McKee, general manager of Sunoco’s ethanol business, said, “Sunoco’s partnership with Linde is good for the environment and the local economy. Capturing, processing, and re-selling CO2 will mean more jobs for the local economy and further position our ethanol facility as one of the nation’s cleanest and greenest.”
Linde’s plant, which produces CO2 for use in food, beverage and chemical manufacturing, captures CO2 emissions from the ethanol plant that would otherwise be vented into the atmosphere. Linde purifies and liquefies the CO2 for sale to customers located throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New England.
Adding this plant means Linde’s extensive East Coast network of CO2 rail depots will now be supplied from a local plant, while still maintaining backup supply from points south and farther west. This plant is the latest addition to Linde’s network of more than 30 CO2 plants around the U.S.
Source: Press Release
Related Posts
Fluor Corporation To Design Cobalt Technologies Biobutanol Plant
Cobalt Technologies announced it has signed an agreement with Fluor Corporation, one of the world’s largest publicly-owned engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance (EPCM) and project management companies. Under the agreement, Fluor will provide engineering consulting services as Cobalt gears up to commercialize its biobutanol production technology. Additionally, Fluor will offer a broad range of EPCM services for Cobalt’s demonstration and commercial-scale butanol production plants.
“We are very pleased to have Fluor as our strategic partner to help us design the most efficient, lowest cost system for producing our biobutanol,” said Rick Wilson, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Cobalt Technologies. “Fluor’s experience in designing and executing large projects, particularly refining projects, is unmatched in the world. We originally asked Fluor to provide an impartial analysis of our biobutanol production technology. Now, to have them sign a strategic agreement with us, truly validates our vision.”
Cobalt’s technology converts non-food feedstock, such as forest waste and mill residues, into biobutanol. Cobalt’s continuous butanol production system is based on advancements in microbial strain selection, bioreactor design and process engineering, resulting in a highly productive, capital-efficient, low-cost solution. This engineering foundation ensures the production process is able to scale up quickly while maintaining capital efficiency. Cobalt’s technology reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% versus the production of gasoline.
The company recently demonstrated the conversion of beetle-killed lodgepole pine into a low-carbon, sustainable biofuel and chemical, which is currently being tested in engines by Colorado State University’s renowned Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory.
Source : Press Release
“We are very pleased to have Fluor as our strategic partner to help us design the most efficient, lowest cost system for producing our biobutanol,” said Rick Wilson, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Cobalt Technologies. “Fluor’s experience in designing and executing large projects, particularly refining projects, is unmatched in the world. We originally asked Fluor to provide an impartial analysis of our biobutanol production technology. Now, to have them sign a strategic agreement with us, truly validates our vision.”
Cobalt’s technology converts non-food feedstock, such as forest waste and mill residues, into biobutanol. Cobalt’s continuous butanol production system is based on advancements in microbial strain selection, bioreactor design and process engineering, resulting in a highly productive, capital-efficient, low-cost solution. This engineering foundation ensures the production process is able to scale up quickly while maintaining capital efficiency. Cobalt’s technology reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% versus the production of gasoline.
The company recently demonstrated the conversion of beetle-killed lodgepole pine into a low-carbon, sustainable biofuel and chemical, which is currently being tested in engines by Colorado State University’s renowned Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory.
Source : Press Release
August 09, 2010
ASTM Begins Work On E15 Standard
In a recent status update the EPA noted that even after E15 receives approval there are still a number of steps that need to be completed before it can be sold in the marketplace.
I believe what they mean by the completion of the fuels registration process by industry is the development of the necessary fuels standards. According to Green Car Congress the work on the necessary standard has begun.
It’s also important to remember that there are a number of additional steps that must be completed – many of which are not under EPA or DOE control – to allow the sale and distribution of E-15. These include but are not limited to: testing on dispensing equipment; changes to state laws to allow for the use of E15; and completion of the fuels registration process by industry.
I believe what they mean by the completion of the fuels registration process by industry is the development of the necessary fuels standards. According to Green Car Congress the work on the necessary standard has begun.
ASTM is developing a revision to D4806-10, the standard specification for denatured fuel ethanol for blending with gasolines for automotive engines, in anticipation of E15 blends.
The new work item (WK29816) may respond to additional changes if required by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actions. This work item may result in a ballot ahead of the EPA actions and an additional ballot following whatever actions the EPA ultimately takes.
Gevo to Acquire Agri-Energy Ethanol Production Facility to Produce Isobutanol
Minnesota Plant to Provide 18 Million Gallons per Year of Production Capacity for Chemicals and Fuels Customers
Gevo, a privately held renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company, today announced it has signed definitive agreements to acquire Agri-Energy’s ethanol production facility in Luverne, Minn.
“Since it’s founding in 1998, Agri-Energy has been dedicated to advancing the technology and best practices of the ethanol industry”
“This transaction is another important step in achieving our goal of bringing commercial volumes of renewable isobutanol to the market as soon as possible,” said Dr. Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo. “The Luverne plant is a very well run facility with a strong operating team. It is a great place to begin our commercialization effort. We expect the facility will be the first among many and want it to be a model project for the future.”
Mechanical retrofitting of the plant will begin upon closing the transaction. Isobutanol production is expected to begin by the first quarter of 2012. During most of the retrofit process, it is expected that the facility will continue to produce ethanol.
Gevo has developed a proprietary process designed to fit into current ethanol production facilities. The process also enables the production of isobutanol from numerous renewable feedstocks including corn, wheat, sorghum, barley, sugar cane and cellulosic feedstocks when biomass conversion becomes commercially available. Gevo’s integrated fermentation technology (GIFT™) platform consists of two components: a yeast biocatalyst and a separations technology unit that bolts into existing ethanol plants.
“Since it’s founding in 1998, Agri-Energy has been dedicated to advancing the technology and best practices of the ethanol industry,” said Agri-Energy founding member and Co-op Coordinator David Kolsrud. “We see biobutanol as the next logical step in the industry’s development. We believe isobutanol can be sold into many markets and has product attributes that make it a compelling product for current ethanol producers.”
About Isobutanol: A Viable Platform for Renewable Fuels and Chemicals
Isobutanol is a naturally occurring, four-carbon alcohol found in food and some alcoholic beverages. It is also a “drop-in” platform chemical with broad applications in the product of approximately 40 percent of petrochemicals and 100 percent of hydrocarbon fuels. It can be used directly for a solvent and converted to isobutylene, the raw material for plastics and fibers. Gevo believes its isobutanol will provide a route to the renewable production of rubber, polypropylene, polystyrene, and PET. Isobutanol can also be used directly as a gasoline blendstock and as a building block in the production of hydrocarbons found in petroleum-derived gasoline, jet and diesel fuels.
Source : Press Release
Gevo, a privately held renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company, today announced it has signed definitive agreements to acquire Agri-Energy’s ethanol production facility in Luverne, Minn.
“Since it’s founding in 1998, Agri-Energy has been dedicated to advancing the technology and best practices of the ethanol industry”
“This transaction is another important step in achieving our goal of bringing commercial volumes of renewable isobutanol to the market as soon as possible,” said Dr. Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo. “The Luverne plant is a very well run facility with a strong operating team. It is a great place to begin our commercialization effort. We expect the facility will be the first among many and want it to be a model project for the future.”
Mechanical retrofitting of the plant will begin upon closing the transaction. Isobutanol production is expected to begin by the first quarter of 2012. During most of the retrofit process, it is expected that the facility will continue to produce ethanol.
Gevo has developed a proprietary process designed to fit into current ethanol production facilities. The process also enables the production of isobutanol from numerous renewable feedstocks including corn, wheat, sorghum, barley, sugar cane and cellulosic feedstocks when biomass conversion becomes commercially available. Gevo’s integrated fermentation technology (GIFT™) platform consists of two components: a yeast biocatalyst and a separations technology unit that bolts into existing ethanol plants.
“Since it’s founding in 1998, Agri-Energy has been dedicated to advancing the technology and best practices of the ethanol industry,” said Agri-Energy founding member and Co-op Coordinator David Kolsrud. “We see biobutanol as the next logical step in the industry’s development. We believe isobutanol can be sold into many markets and has product attributes that make it a compelling product for current ethanol producers.”
About Isobutanol: A Viable Platform for Renewable Fuels and Chemicals
Isobutanol is a naturally occurring, four-carbon alcohol found in food and some alcoholic beverages. It is also a “drop-in” platform chemical with broad applications in the product of approximately 40 percent of petrochemicals and 100 percent of hydrocarbon fuels. It can be used directly for a solvent and converted to isobutylene, the raw material for plastics and fibers. Gevo believes its isobutanol will provide a route to the renewable production of rubber, polypropylene, polystyrene, and PET. Isobutanol can also be used directly as a gasoline blendstock and as a building block in the production of hydrocarbons found in petroleum-derived gasoline, jet and diesel fuels.
Source : Press Release
August 06, 2010
NDSU Professors Receive Funding For Cellulosic Biofuels Research
Two North Dakota State University professors received $309,357 from the National Science Foundation for research to improve conversion and reduce costs of making ethanol from cellulosic biomass. Andriy Voronov, assistant professor in the Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, and Scott Pryor, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, will conduct the research in collaboration with Sergiy Minko, chaired professor of chemistry at Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y., who was awarded $200,978 from the National Science Foundation.
The group's research objective is to enhance conversion of cellulosic biomass into fermentable glucose to convert into ethanol or other chemicals or fuels. Their work aims at improving efficacy and reducing costs of cellulase enzymes needed for converting biomass to soluble sugars. Their research proposal is titled "pH-Responsive Capsules for Enhanced Delivery and Recovery of Cellulases for Biomass Hydrolysis."
The research group at NDSU will focus on engineering a robust and scalable method to manufacture hierarchically structured hybrid organic-inorganic microcapsules loaded with cellulase enzymes. They also will work to develop a methodology to recover and reuse these capsules to convert cellulose into fermentable glucose.
According to Voronov, six undergraduate and graduate students will be involved in the research. They will gain expertise in biotechnology, biocatalysis and material science, and be provided an opportunity to participate in professional meetings to present results of their research. Under the research proposal and in conjunction with their research, faculty members plan to provide lectures and potential summer lab internship opportunities for high school students and science teachers.
Source North Dakota State University
The group's research objective is to enhance conversion of cellulosic biomass into fermentable glucose to convert into ethanol or other chemicals or fuels. Their work aims at improving efficacy and reducing costs of cellulase enzymes needed for converting biomass to soluble sugars. Their research proposal is titled "pH-Responsive Capsules for Enhanced Delivery and Recovery of Cellulases for Biomass Hydrolysis."
The research group at NDSU will focus on engineering a robust and scalable method to manufacture hierarchically structured hybrid organic-inorganic microcapsules loaded with cellulase enzymes. They also will work to develop a methodology to recover and reuse these capsules to convert cellulose into fermentable glucose.
According to Voronov, six undergraduate and graduate students will be involved in the research. They will gain expertise in biotechnology, biocatalysis and material science, and be provided an opportunity to participate in professional meetings to present results of their research. Under the research proposal and in conjunction with their research, faculty members plan to provide lectures and potential summer lab internship opportunities for high school students and science teachers.
Source North Dakota State University
August 03, 2010
The President Supports Biodiesel?
In his remarks at the DNC Finance Event in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday August 2, 2010, the President expressed support for the domestic biodiesel industry.
I can understand the President not wanting to see the production of biodiesel going to other countries but wonder about his commitment to the domestic biodiesel industry. The biodiesel tax credit was allowed to lapse at the end of 2009 and has yet to be reenacted. As a result the biodiesel industry is having tough times. According to the Daily Times Herald roughly half of the 50,000 U.S. jobs directly associated in biodiesel production have been lost the past two years.
It is nice to hear the President express support for biodiesel but would be even nicer if he would use the large majorities his party holds in the House and the Senate to take concrete actions to ensure the industries survival and restore those lost jobs.
We’re also jumpstarting a homegrown, clean energy industry -- because I don’t want to see the solar panels and the wind turbines and the biodiesel created in other countries. I don't want China and Germany and Brazil to get the jump on us in the industries of the future. I want to see all that stuff right here in the United States of America, with American workers. And the investments we’ve made so far are expected to create 800,000 jobs by 2012 -- 800,000 jobs in an industry of the future.
I can understand the President not wanting to see the production of biodiesel going to other countries but wonder about his commitment to the domestic biodiesel industry. The biodiesel tax credit was allowed to lapse at the end of 2009 and has yet to be reenacted. As a result the biodiesel industry is having tough times. According to the Daily Times Herald roughly half of the 50,000 U.S. jobs directly associated in biodiesel production have been lost the past two years.
It is nice to hear the President express support for biodiesel but would be even nicer if he would use the large majorities his party holds in the House and the Senate to take concrete actions to ensure the industries survival and restore those lost jobs.