High soybean price halts biodiesel production in Minnesota plant
Photo by Skidrd. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.
Is SoyLess too easy here?
The SoyMor biodiesel plant in Albert Lea, Minnesota is responding to the high prices for soybean oil by stopping production of biodiesel, at least temporarily on Friday. Soybean oil costs make up 80 percent of a biodiesel plants operating costs, according to the USDA, so even a little jump has a huge impact. In 2007, though, prices leaped from 28 cents to 45 cents a pound and haven't stopped increasing. Friday's prices was 62 cents. Before the shutdown, the plant was already operating at about half-capacity, running less than 15 days a month for the last four months. Production might restart, depending on prices for soybean oil, diesel fuel and the value of the U.S. dollar, SoyMor's chairman told the local press.
[Source: Albert Lee Tribune]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
A.Brien 2:03PM (3/16/2008)
Why not use trashs to make fuel instead of foods?
There can be a process to turn old tires and used engine oil to butanol(gasoline). Then sewage water to methane, etc. The more you live near a big town the less it cost to fuel and in the rookies montains you can use water to fuel your v8 or v12
big engine car.
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Joel 9:01AM (7/29/2008)
Ehmmm.... i agree with u about using trash to make fuel.
Like 'commpos'.
This project can clean our earth too.
sensitive_man 2:07PM (3/16/2008)
They should not be using a possible food crop for fuel anyway. There are rain forests that our planet is very much in need of keeping that are being clear cut and converted to soy plantations.
People need to start taking responsibility for their actions and understand that the more we consume (in any respect), the more pressure we put on our planet. You know, the one we ALL depend on to sustain life.
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TG 3:19PM (3/16/2008)
Globe & Mail
March 15, 2008
OTTAWA -- Iogen Corp. said yesterday it is closing in on federal funding that will allow it to build Canada's first cellulosic ethanol refinery, a $500-million plant in northern Saskatchewan that will use wheat straw to produce biofuel, electricity, enzymes and fertilizer.
Ottawa's Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) confirmed yesterday that Iogen is eligible for financing under its next-generation biofuel fund, subject to the corporation completing its due diligence and a final decision from its board.
The federal government, in its 2007 budget, created a $500-million investment fund to finance as much as 40 per cent of eligible costs for next-generation biofuels plants. At the time, Iogen was mentioned specifically as a company that might benefit from such a fund.
Environment Minister John Baird said that, as a result of government funding and Iogen's progress, **Canada is one step closer to making our country's first full-scale cellulosic ethanol facility a reality.**
http://tinyurl.com/23jpl9
========================== Globe & Mail
This says so many things that I*m better off to leave it others. = TG
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GenWaylaid 6:43PM (3/16/2008)
Sounds like there's money to be made turning petroleum into food. Mmm, dieselburger.
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CC 9:27PM (3/16/2008)
For a change the farmer makes a buck.
The price for both food and fuel going to increase. Time for america to go on a diet, from both food and fuel.
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jpm100 8:41AM (3/17/2008)
"Soylent Green is..."
too expensive.
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Bob Moffitt (Bob from ALAMN) 9:24AM (3/17/2008)
I'm always amazed at the commentors who post things like "we shouldn't be using crops for fuel" or "Why not make fuel form garbage?"
Neither technology is comercially viable right now. You might as well ask "Why can't we have cars that run on fairy dust?"
When a biodiesel plant shuts down, the only alternative left is petroluem. Our addiction to oil gets deeper and deeper.
Why would anyone cheer the closing of an alternative fuel source (unless you are a Big Oil fan)?
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Joel 8:54AM (7/29/2008)
May you give me "the Blue print" of Soybean fuel?(you can sent it to my E-mail)
I think a Good alternative fuel must be Published in real world.
thanks......
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Joel 9:04AM (7/29/2008)
Noooooooo!!!!! what can i do for our earth????
i can't do like u all !!!!
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