The RFA and the Buffalo Chip Campground are partnering to encourage the use of homegrown ethanol at Sturgis, the annual motorcycle ride through South Dakota this summer.

“It is a natural pairing – America’s love affair with the motorcycle and the open road and its premiere renewable fuel,” said Renewable Fuels Association Director of Market Development Robert White says in the RFA’s press release. “At nearly 10% of the nation’s fuel supply, ethanol can be found in nearly every gallon of gasoline sold. It is providing a growing renewable alternative to petroleum that is safe and effective for use in all engine types, including motorcycles.”

RFA’s also providing merchandise for the ride, including t-shirts for staff, volunteers, and riders.

Click here to see what the t-shirts look like.

There’s been some misinformation lately about ethanol and small engines like those in motorcycles, so getting information directly to that crowd about the virtues of ethanol should be great.

To learn more about the Stugis Motorcycle Rally, click here.

Photo by sprakope.

Sen. Thune talks about ethanol and biofuels, and how they are an alternative to foreign oil available now:

As Congress, the administration and the private sector look for ways to reduce our consumption of imported oil, we should not overlook the most readily available domestic alternative to imported oil: biofuels. The development of the biofuels industry has created jobs across the nation and given agricultural producers new, reliable crop markets, while decreasing our demand for fossil fuels.

After discussing how important biofuels are, Sen. Thune talks about barriers that may slow the industry’s development:

I find it unacceptable that after several years of crafting a national energy policy that promotes renewable fuels, the greatest threats to the renewable fuels industry are arbitrary and misguided government regulations. The United States will not achieve energy independence if Congress both promotes renewable fuels and enacts laws that limit the future growth of our biofuels industry.

Sen. Thune has been a biofuels supporter for quite some time and makes some interesting points. Click here to read this op-ed.

Image from Senator Thune’s website.

Harkin has scheduled a hearing in the Senate Ag Committee for July 22 on the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in Global Warming Legislation that will likely discuss this and other possible safeguards for farming and biofuels that would go further than those brokered by House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson.

They do have a little bit more time to work on it now. Senate leadership decided this week to delay the deadline for committees to finish work on the climate bill by ten more days until September 28.

The materials were created to provide the country’s first responder firefighting teams with information to better fight ethanol incidents. With recent questions about fighting these kinds of incidents, this materials definitely comes at the right time.

The EERC has a wealth of information for the first response community and their website is an incredible resource. Check it out.

The complete guide is available on the EERC website here.

photo by ohadby.

The new website features a section dedicated exclusively to E85, plus a news center and quick facts. You can sign up to stay informed about the ethanol discussion as well as follow RFA on twitter, facebook, youtube and flickr.

This is a great place to point not only those who have basic questions about ethanol as a motor fuel, but also those who wish to delve deeper into what ethanol can do for the country, like how ethanol can improve national security.

Be sure to spread the word about this site. It’s great resource that will surely develop as the go-to place for up to the minute information on ethanol.

Click here to visit Choose Ethanol.

photo by whatknot.

A new study published by the “Ethanol Across America” group says that production and use of ethanol is not causing the deforestation of rainforests. The study suggests that deforestation is more likely the result of cattle production.

Sneller (head of Ethanol Board in Nebraska) says it’s evident there’s very little deforestation taking place and what little tree-cutting is happening is typically related to the use of grassland and forests for cattle production and to a limited extent, for soybeans. In Brazil, for example, that deforestation is done mostly for human uses of the land, rather than fuels.

Sneller continues to say that ethanol production is improving and that the fuel is much better for the environment than petroleum.

He says, “The new report is one that reaffirms what we’ve heard from the University of Nebraska and others that ethanol, particularly made in today’s plants with the newest technology, makes a significant contribution to greenhouse gas reductions, particularly relative to refined gasoline products.” Supporters say ethanol is becoming more efficient and economical to produce, while oil will become more expensive and continue to do environmental damage.

Land-use change is a complex issue and will continue to be studied for years to come. Studies like this bring us closer to the truth.

Photo by crustmania.

Jay Hakes, author of “A Declaration of Energy Independence,” says September 11, 2001 was a preview of America’s future — one possible future.

On September 12, 2001 the United States awakened from a nightmare, finding itself standing at a crossroad, facing a choice between two very different futures: One choice would lead the country to increased dependence on foreign oil and a future dominated by terrorism and war. The other choice would lead to American energy independence and a world economy that is no longer desperate for oil.

On the main page of Hakes’ website “American Energy Independence,” there are photos of two paintings by artist Michael D’Antuono.

“The first painting titled “Dependence” depicts a burqa-clad Statue of Liberty encircled by vultures in an apocalyptic environment clinging to a barrel of oil instead of a book and a gasoline nozzle raised above her head in place of her torch.

The second piece titled “Independence”, offers an optimistic alternative to the first with our Miss Liberty this time embracing a solar panel and wind turbine as eagles and doves glide through an idyllic blue sky.”

Hakes has a great way of thinking about Energy Independence we should all consider as we fill up our cars and prepare to watch the fireworks bursting in air this holiday:

Energy Independence is a civilization changing idea, like freedom, one that should be thought of much like we think of our national independence—our liberty, which is both an ideal and a physical reality. Energy Independence can and should be pursued with the same patriotic spirit that fought for, won and sustains American democracy and freedom.

The phrase “Energy Independence” is a slogan embodying an idea that resonates with the character of America—it is a call for return to economic balance and protection from vulnerability created by over-dependence on petroleum to fuel our cars, trucks and airplanes—it is a public outcry voiced by citizens demanding government leadership in energy production, distribution, security and fuel choice.

God Bless America!

The company hopes to replace carbon dioxide in common plastic products like milk jugs if the technology is successful.

Through a partnership with Algenol Biofuels — a startup in Bonita Springs, Fla. — Dow hopes to create a breakthrough process to produce ethanol, a building block for other chemicals. Ethanol is a key ingredient in polyethylene, the most widely used of all plastics, which is found in everyday products, from food packaging to pipes. The chemical also is used in runway deicers, polyester for textiles, and paints.

The move could have significant implications for Detroit’s automakers, according to Algenol Chief Executive Paul Woods. Woods said he already has met with representatives from Ford Motor Co. to discuss manufacturing more vehicles that would use ethanol. The algae-generated ethanol is compatible with technology in use.

The article goes on to mention that the algae-based fuel’s price would be more consistent, selling for $1 per gallon.

Speaking about ethanol, Algenol Chief Executive Paul Woods said “if we can produce a gallon cheaper than any foreign producer, it’s enough to eliminate OPEC producers. We want a low, long-term, stable price that the consumer can rely on.”

Sounds like a job for ethanol.

In a speech in Des Moines this week, Mr. Chu said, “I’ve been told it costs about $100 in gaskets and fuel lines to turn a car so that it can go all the way to E85.”

The problem with that, the blog continues, is not with E85 compatible cars, but with lacking infrastructure and filling stations to fill the demand.

Asked about Mr. Chu’s comments, Scott Tobin, a vehicle line director for Ford, said, “E85 is something we know how to do, and the technology for it is well developed. It’s a direction the industry can take, but ethanol presently lacks infrastructure and consumer demand. If there is a breakthrough in cellulosic ethanol development, that might change the equation.”

The 2,000th ethanol station opened at the end of May in Miami. Ethanol is indeed spreading across the country and more stations are set to open in the coming months.

If the infrastructure was in place, would you be more likely to purchase a flex-fuel vehicle? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Photo from post406.

In an interview with farmer Brent Porteus, past president of the Ohio Corn Growers Association, Daily Finance discusses the corn market and “prospects for the future”.

When asked how ethanol impacted his farming operation in the past year, Porteus has this to say:

“The impact of ethanol is not as great as many people believe. It’s still only a part of the market — last year, three billion bushels. Sixty percent of our corn production is used to feed livestock, while over two billion bushes went to export last year, up 6 percent. Last summer, China was buying commodities, since they were a bargain due to the weak dollar. The spike in grain prices occurred when oil prices went up and the stock market declined, and money looking for a safe haven flowed into commodities. This ‘perfect storm’ was what drove prices up steeply for a couple of months. It wasn’t a corn problem; it was an energy problem.”

As for the food vs fuel debate, he believes that this country’s farmers will be able to renewable fuel and feed the country at the same time:

Porteus points to the dramatic increase in our nation’s yield per acre over the past 30 years. In 1978, the U.S. corn harvest was about 6.3 billion bushels; in 2008, 12.1 billion. He believes that, with new planting technology and improvements in the corn stock, farmers will be able to increase their yields to serve the ethanol industry without driving up food prices. Also, as the USDA points out, only 19 percent of our food cost comes from the cost of grains and seed oils.

Interesting interview. Read the whole thing here.

Photo courtesy of rsgreen89.