BIOFUEL NEWS BY AK Gupta , Ph.D

If Gas Prices Have Fallen, Why Are Groceries Still So Expensive? Could Wheat and Corn Shortages In the Food vs. Fuel Dilemma Be Partly to Blame?
Milford Daily News reports on why food prices have not decreased, despite rapidly falling gas prices. One reason is the lag in time between transportation cost decreases and produced-then-transported food. Another reason is last year’s commodity prices that were high because of a worldwide shortage of wheat and the increased use of corn to produce ethanol–thus, a food vs. fuel issue. Although wheat and corn products have increased in price, they are not the only food products which are still expensive. Most food products have remained high, while gas-reliant industries have been able to decrease prices.
Michigan Company Creates New Green “Blogazine”; Green Info & Awareness in Many Areas Promised
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PR Newswire reports that “Earthbound Express, Inc. (EE), a Michigan-based company, has launched the Earth, Wind & Power (EWP) Blogazine(TM).” Readers can learn about the latest environmental developments and news on a wide variety of topics, including environmentally-friendly travel and automotive options. To visit the blog, click here.
Kansas Controversy Brews Over Clean-Versus-Dirty Energy Plans
Posted: 16 Jan 2009 03:00 PM CST
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports on controversy in Kansas between proponents of “green” technology and Sunflower Electric Power Corp.’s proposal for a coal-burning, environmentally-unfriendly $3.5 billion plant. The matter, a hot topic of debate, failed to gain compromise in 2008’s legislative session, but is expected to again arise when the 2009 legislature convenes. At issue is finding middle ground in outlining “a comprehensive energy program that recognizes the historic importance of coal in producing electricity for Kansans while also raising the profile of wind, natural gas, biodiesel, ethanol and other sources of energy.” Sunflower is even going as far as filing lawsuits in state and federal courts seeking reversal of the 2007 decision by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, endorsed by the state’s governor, to deny the company a permit.
Northeastern U.S. Region Uniformly Adopts Low Carbon Fuel Standard Agreement
Posted: 16 Jan 2009 01:00 PM CST
Domestic Fuel reports that biofuels are part of a plan adopted by governors of eleven northeastern states in the United States that is aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. This Low Carbon Fuel Standard is also designed to increase the biofuels industry in the region and requires reductions in the average lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions per unit of useful energy. Affected fuel-burning areas include transportation, heating of buildings, industrial processes, and electricity generation.
Edmonton, Vancouver Plans 2012 Plant to Convert Almost All Garbage Into Ethanol
Posted: 16 Jan 2009 11:00 AM CST
The Vancouver Sun reports the town of Edmonton has plans for a new plant to open in 2012 which will divert 90 percent of garbage from landfills and instead, will convert the garbage into ethanol. This is the city’s latest effort in education to citizens about the benefits of recycling and conserving as much as possible.
Bankrupt Boot Hill Biofuels Working With Creditors; Still Plans to Build Its First Ethanol Facility at an Unknown Future Date
Posted: 16 Jan 2009 09:00 AM CST
DodgeCity.com reports that bankrupt Boot Hill Biofuels has shown $4 million of unsecured debt on its books, including that from a 2006 agreement with Conestoga Energy Partners to build an ethanol facility that still has not begun construction. Boot Hill Biofuels indicates its intent to go ahead with the project at a future, more economically-favorable time. The company, now under a repayment Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan, says it is working with its creditors to resolve the case and continue progress toward building its first ethanol plant.