Latest Food vs. fuel Stories

Fat worms confirm that researchers from Michigan State University have successfully engineered a plant with oily leaves -- a feat that could enhance biofuel production as well as lead to improved animal feeds. The results, published in the current issue of The Plant Cell, the journal of the American Society of Plant Biologists, show that researchers could use an algae gene involved in oil production to engineer a plant that stores lipids or vegetable oil in its leaves – an uncommon...

An interdisciplinary team of 11 scientists from seven European countries and the USA have discussed the concept to utilize so called surplus land for the production of feedstock for bioenergy. They identified environmental, economic and social constraints but also options for efficient use of surplus land for bioenergy. The study provides a scientific background in support of a reassessment of land available for bioenergy feedstock production Their findings were published in the open access...

HONOLULU, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ABOARD THE USS NIMITZ IN THE PACIFIC - The full power of a U.S. Naval Carrier Strike Force fueled by advanced biofuel is undergoing its first operational test today in the waters of the central Pacific. Calling it a "significant achievement for America's domestic biofuels industry" Advanced Biofuels Association President Michael McAdams is aboard the USS Nimitz for today's naval exercise for a first hand look at how The Great Green...

JOHNSTON, Iowa, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of Illinois at Chicago found a statistical correlation showing that as prices increase, farmers make changes that result in higher per acre yields. Farmers also react to lower prices. The study's findings support the use of yield-price elasticity in indirect land use models, but found that commonly used models currently use factors at the low end...

A new study from the University of Illinois concludes that learning-by-doing, stimulated by increased ethanol production, played an important role in inducing technological progress in the corn ethanol industry. It also suggests that biofuel policies, which induced ethanol production beyond the free-market level, served to increase the competitiveness of the industry over time. The study, co-written by Madhu Khanna, a professor of agricultural and consumer economics at Illinois, and...

GENEVA, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA), Airbus and Embraer today signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on the development of drop-in, affordable aviation biofuels. The three leading airframe manufacturers agreed to seek collaborative opportunities to speak in unity to government, biofuel producers and other key stakeholders to support, promote and accelerate the availability of sustainable new jet fuel sources. Boeing Commercial Airplanes...

SAO PAULO, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Downstream Today, one of the world's prime sources of information and analysis when it comes to energy, has recently published a major story on the role played by Mario Garnero, Chairman of Brasilinvest, in shaping Brazil's leadership in biofuels. Below is the full article. Brazil's 'Father of Ethanol' Sees Bounty for Biofuel The U.S. Congress recently allowed tariffs on imported ethanol to expire after being in place for more than three decades....

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As President Barack Obama prepares his annual State of the Union Address and Congress returns to work on Capitol Hill, many in America's renewable energy industry are asking themselves, does Washington really know biofuels? In its second episode released today, Biofuel STAT, continues to give Washington an exclusive peek into the C-Suite of the nation's top advanced biofuels companies. The newest episode features Lee Edwards,...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the introduction of H.R. 3552, legislation sponsored by four members of the U.S. House of Representatives to extend the import tax on foreign ethanol, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) issued the following statement. It should be attributed to Leticia Phillips, UNICA's Representative in North America. The United States has been subsidizing corn ethanol and imposing trade barriers on cleaner,...

DENVER, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BIOFUEL ENERGY CORP. (NASDAQ: BIOF), an ethanol production company, today announced that, for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, it generated $2.5 million of net income, and $.02 of earnings per diluted share, on revenues of $162.5 million. Compared to the prior year period, net income improved by $4.3 million, primarily due to improved yield and other operational efficiencies. "Our business performed well in the third quarter, and our entire team...