According to a statement by the companies, they have commenced static engine tests with general aviation aircraft. The initial focus for the joint effort is a sustainable biomass-derived aviation gasoline for the general aviation market. Gevo is a developer of renewable hydrocarbon fuels, including avgas, jet fuel and biobutanol, as well as green chemicals. Bye Energy is an integrator of alternative energy and renewable fuel technologies for business and general aviation.

More information on Gevo
More information on Bye Energy

Four articles/releases on Gevo, Bye Energy – which is the best? – WyrdChoice™ tells all

#1. A January press release from Gevo and Bye Energy introduces the story of their early exploration of general aviation, leading up to the June announcement of a market development partnership. The press release, surprisingly, caught just the right balance between the companies, and describing the opportunities in accessible terms without missing anything of importance. Like press releases do, it may lack some perspecitive on challenges in the sector, but otherwise excellent, and the top-ranked article for this storyline. WyrdChoice™ score: 937

#2. In “US Biofuels Market off and running”, Geneng News focuses on Gevo’s strategy, “Gevo is positioning itself to become a long-term supplier of industrially useful intermediates for chemicals production that also have utility as fuels and as fuel additives”. A great approach, if more focused on Gevo than Bye. WyrdChoice™ Score: 822

#3. An article on oil major Total’s investment in Gevo appearing in Silobreaker.com has a strong storyline, but lost points when it went too deeply into the weeds, exploring Gevo’s green chemical opportunities with specific molecules such as isoctane, paraxylene and isobutylene that made it more of an article for specialists. Ideal for the hard-core. WyrdChoice™ score: 722.

#4. A general profile of Bye Energy, “Jet Stream in Green”, appearing in Colorado Alternative Energy, proceeds at more relaxed and folksy pace – lacks enough bites for many Digest readers, but tells the story of George Bye’s vision well, and especially recommended for those without a technical background. WyrdChoice™ score: 314.

(What’s WyrdChoice? More info here.)

Gevo, Bye Energy ink agreement for joint development of biofuels for general aviation is a post from: Biofuels Digest

Concurrently, a group comprised of the University of Arizona, Arizona Public Service, PetroSun, Texas A&M, Purdue University, Renascent Energy, ABRI-Tech, Carbon2Algae and Rolls Royce are among applicants for another DOE project grant for  the demonstration of a sustainable and integrated algae-oil biorefinery.

Arizona group aims for two government algae demonstration project grants is a post from: Biofuels Digest

Willie Nelson to headline opening of Willie’s Place at Carl’s Corner; biodiesel, entertainment center at legedary Texas truck stop is a post from: Biofuels Digest

GFX Alternatives launches new $1 billion multi-manager alt energy, clean tech portfolio; is a post from: Biofuels Digest

The minister said that jatropha was an attractor of mosaic virus, and that plants would be cultivated in a sequestered area.

Cape Verde to pursue jatropha R&D; cautions that jatropha susceptible to mosaic virus is a post from: Biofuels Digest

German researchers develop room-temperature cellulosic ethanol process is a post from: Biofuels Digest

McCain background

Senator McCain said that he supports the ending of ethanol subsidies, would back a repeal of the ethanol tariff, and would support the inclusion of Brazil and India into a larger G8 group. McCain was quoted in Estato de Sao Paulo saying that he favors the removal of Russia from the G8.

Recently, Sen. McCain, who introduced the first proposed cap-and-trade bill in the Senate in 2003, said: “The facts of global warming demand our urgent attention, especially in Washington. Good stewardship, prudence, and simple common sense demand that we act to meet the challenge, and act quickly,” he said. “I will not shirk the mantle of leadership that the United States bears. I will not permit eight long years to pass without serious action on serious challenges. Those who want clean coal technology, more wind and solar, nuclear power, biomass and bio-fuels will have their opportunity through a new market that rewards those and other innovations in clean energy.” McCain was speaking at the Vestas Wind Technology plant in Portland, Oregon.

Earlier this year, Sen. McCain led a revolt of 24 Senate Republicans have asked the EPA to waive, or restructure, the Renewable Fuel Standard passed in December. In a statement, Sen. John McCain said that “This subsidized (ethanol) program, paid for by taxpayer dollars, has contributed to pain at the cash register, at the dining room table, and a devastating food crisis throughout the world.” The Senators said that waiving the ethanol mandate would encourage farmers to grow other crops, as opposed to growing corn for food markets.

John McCain’s environmental record and policies are profiled in an investors.com article. The article focuses on his conversion to environmentalism after the 2000 elections, and his sponsorship of cap-and-trade legislation in 2003, 2005 and 2007 with Senator Joe Lieberman. The current bill would limit emissions among commercial & industrial users to 2004 levels by 2012 and moved down steadily until 2050. McCain favors an auction of emission certificates in his cap-and-trade proposal.

McCain vs Obama comparison

A comparison of the Obama and McCain approach to renewable energy was published in the Wall Street Journal. Among highlights: McCain support for renewable energy investment, but record of limited support for mandates and incentives; McCain opposition to the Brazilian ethanol tariff; Obama’s $150 billion investment plan in alternative fuels; Obama support for a 25 percent mandate for alternative energy from electricity by 2025; McCain’s support of incentives for nuclear energy. Obama supports an 80 percent emissions reduction by 2050, while McCain targets 60 percent (based on 1990 levels).

The Miami Herald published a comparison of the climate change policies of the key remaining US Presidential candidates.

Emission caps: Obama, McCain

Higher fuel efficiency standards: Obama

Pro nuclear power: McCain

Mandates and inentives for ethanol: Obama

Hybrid car development: McCain, Obama

Ethanol tariff repeal: McCain

John McCain outlines new energy policy focused on 45 nuclear plants and clean coal technology support is a post from: Biofuels Digest

Groups supporting the campaign
American Bakers Association, American Beverage Association, American Conservative Union, American Frozen Food Institute, American Meat Institute, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Earth Policy Institute, Environmental Working Group, Food For All, Grocery Manufacturers Association, International Dairy Foods Association, International Foodservice Distributors Association, MANA (A National Latina Organization), National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Council of Chain Restaurants, National Restaurant Association, National Retail Federation, National Turkey Federation, Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits, Snack Food Association, The Hispanic Institute, Tortilla Industry Association, and Women Impacting Public Policy.

“This campaign is nothing more than a ‘red herring’, distracting the American public away from the true cause of food price increases,” said Brooke Coleman of the New Fuels Alliance. “It’s unfortunate that the Grocery Manufacturers Association and others have decided to perpetuate the myth that ethanol is to blame for higher food prices, while many of their members spike their retail food prices to profit from the crisis.”

“While biofuels do play a small role in rising food costs – about 3% according to USDA – the biggest contributors to escalating food prices are growing fuel costs, weather events like droughts, rampant speculation in the commodities market and increased demand for food products from developing nations like China and India. Even though the development of biofuels is in its infancy, we’re already seeing major benefits in our pocketbooks – biofuels are keeping gasoline prices down by 15-25%, according to Merrill Lynch – and our environment, and any effort to overturn the Renewable Fuel Standard will only make us more dependent on other countries for our energy.”

“In an ironic twist, a well-respected agricultural economist at Purdue University recently concluded that ethanol is not even the central driver for corn price increases,” added Coleman, pointing to a study showing that of the $4 per bushel increase in the price of corn, ethanol accounted for 25% of the increase while oil prices caused 75% of the increase. “GMA and its supporters are clearly not interested in having an honest debate about food prices.”

GMA Campaign background

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) posted documents from the Grocery Manufacturers Association anti-ethanol story on his website. The documents are the original request for proposal from the lobbying group, and the response by Glover Park. The Grocers hired Glover and Dutko Worldwide for $300,000 to create a public perception of a link between biofuels and rising food prices.

Documents obtained by and published in Roll Call identify that the Grocery Manufacturers Association has launched a massive, global PR campaign, pledging to assemble a “global center-left coalition” including hiring “trusted third-party experts” to link ethanol mandates to global hunger, food industry job losses and inflation.

“GMA has concluded that rising food prices … create a window to change perceptions about the benefits of bio-fuels and the mandate,” said the organization’s Request for Proposals sent to PR firms.

The firm eventually hired by the GMA, Glover Park, said that it would employ an “urgent and remedy-based messaging strategy” to convince lawmakers that food prices is a “Now” issue that is fast reaching crisis proportions for American consumers,” and said it would produce an “online, viral campaign” to link ethanol and food prices.

The GMA issued the RFP in March to, quoting from the RFP, “build a groundswell in support of freezing or reversing some provisions of the 2007 Energy Bill and for the elimination/reform of ethanol subsidies and import restrictions.” Subsequently the Governors of two states and 24 Republican Senators, including presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, called for a freeze. The GMA is a backer of McCain’s campaign, and the two Senators who received the most financial support from the GMA’s political action committee in this election cycle are among the 24 who signed the call for a biofuels review.

The GMA hired Andy Wright, former chief of staff to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), to oversee a grassroots program to discredit biofuels.

“Food Before Fuel” campaign launches as 25 groups join Grocery Manufacturers anti-biofuels jihad is a post from: Biofuels Digest

Barron’s says ethanol stocks undervalued is a post from: Biofuels Digest

The bill imposes emission caps on electric utility, transportation, and manufacturing industries. Emissions are capped at 5200 million metric tons of CO2 (and equivalents)until 2012. Between 2012 and 2020, emissions are reduced 2 percent per year. Between 2020 and 2050, emissions are reduced by 1.8 percent per year until the 70 percent reduction target is reached in 2050.

The bill includes incentives and transition assistance. Low- and middle-income families would receive $350 billion in assistance, from programs such as the Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program. The bill earmarks $500 billion through 2030 for investments in low-carbon technology.

Landmark Warner-Lieberman climate bill faces defeat in US Senate is a post from: Biofuels Digest