Ethanol numbers grow again

Ethanol production and demand moved higher in May, reflecting the growth in the ethanol industry and the increased gasoline demand at the beginning of the summer driving season.

As oil refiners struggled to keep their facilities operating, ethanol production grew to an average of 406,000 barrels per day (b/d), according to information released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

This increase in production helped to mitigate the price spikes American drivers endured as a result of refinery maintenance problems, reduced gasoline inventories and higher crude prices.

Additionally, demand for ethanol also increased to an estimated 427,000 b/d per day.

Both production and demand represent increases of 38 and 22 percent respectively over May 2006 figures.

Thanks

Jason Berkes
www.jasonberkes.com/ethanol

China to get New Biodiesel Plant

The new biodiesel fuel plant will be located 15 miles from China Clean Energy's existing facility and will have a land area of 112,744 square meters, with total investment cost estimated at $15.0 million, including land usage rights, equipment acquisition and installation costs as well as working capital. The construction blueprint has been completed and land fill is scheduled for completion by August of 2007. The Company expects to secure credit line approval from local banks by October, when the entire approval process is expected to have been completed. The first phase of construction will add 50,000 metric tons per year of biodiesel fuel production capacity and is expected to come on line before the second half of 2008, while the second phase will increase capacity to 100,000 metric tons per year with expected completion in the first half of 2009. China Clean Energy has signed long-term agreements with major processors from Indonesia and Malaysia to supply palm oil leavings (waste) as raw materials for the new facility.

Thanks

Jason Berkes
www.jasonberkes.com

Biodiesel Plant has formal opening in Vaslui, Romania

ULEROM announced the formal opening of their largest facility in Vaslui, Romania.

ULEROM is one of Romania's largest agri-business corporations.

The 7 million GPY plant is the first biodiesel production facility to operate in Eastern Europe.

The President of Romania, the honorable Traian Basescu, is invited to formally open the facility. The plant is a key element in the ability of Romania to meet the EU's requirement for 5.75% Biofuels based on the country's extensive agrarian holdings. Officials from the American Embassy in Romania were on hand to emphasize the American origin of the plant built by Greenline Industries of San Rafael, California.

"This biodiesel plant is a tribute to international cooperation, the facility was designed in the United States, built in Germany and Romania, and installed by a team from both the US and Romania," according to Adrian Porumboiu, owner of the Racova Group which encompasses ULEROM. "This facility has more than just a business reason to exist; it represents a big step in the direction of energy independence, a logical and lucrative outlet for our crops and a serious playing card in the worldwide battle against warming and pollution."

Jason Berkes

www.jasonberkes.com

Inspectors To Begin Checking Diesel Pumps For Biodiesel

Oregon's Department of Agriculture will start sniffing around Portland's biodiesel pumps beginning this week, to make sure the fuel measures up. Rob Manning reports.

The City of Portland's requirement that all diesel pumps in the city contain at least 5% biodiesel goes into effect in about two weeks.

To enforce the standard, Portland is contracting with the Department of Agriculture to ensure that pumps are, in fact, meeting the standard.

Ag spokesman Clark Cooney says there's not an easy way to do the measurement.

Clark Cooney: "Testing to assure that there truly is truly 5% of biodiesel in the retail motor fuel that the customer sees relies primarily on the delivery documentation from when that fuel was produced, blended, and delivered to the station."

Cooney says there are screening tests, but they're not entirely precise.

Oregon also has enacted statewide biodiesel requirements. But they depend on Northwest producers reaching minimal output levels.

Jason Berkes
http://www.jasonberkes.com/biodiesel