skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Day two of David Pecker testimony wraps in NY Trump trial; Supreme Court hears arguments on Idaho's near-total abortion ban; ND sees a flurry of campaigning among Native candidates; and NH lags behind other states in restricting firearms at polling sites.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Senate moves forward with a foreign aid package. A North Carolina judge overturns an aged law penalizing released felons. And child protection groups call a Texas immigration policy traumatic for kids.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The urban-rural death divide is widening for working-age Americans, many home internet connections established for rural students during COVID have been broken and a new federal rule aims to put the "public" back in public lands.

Minnesota Producers Receive $748k to Develop Next Generation of Biofuels

play audio
Play

Monday, January 24, 2011   

ST. PAUL, Minn. - U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn) has announced that seven Minnesota biofuel producers will receive nearly $748,000 to expand advanced biofuel production. Franken says the funding will help create jobs, reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil and take the country into the next generation of biofuels. He sees Minnesota's leadership with corn ethanol as a great transition point.

"It's good for Minnesota, it's good for corn producers, it's good for our balance of trade on fuel. There are all kinds of good reasons for corn ethanol, but we're trying to transition to cellulosic and other, more advanced, biofuels. That's what this funding is about."

The bulk of the funding will go to the Minnesota Soybean Processors, Cargill and Corn Plus. Smaller grant recipients include FUMPA Biofuels, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company, West River Dairy and Riverview. Authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, the funds will be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels.

Doug Peterson, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, says the announcement is good news, but not surprising, considering the state's history of innovation in developing corn ethanol and its strong voice in advocating for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) change to allow E15 gasoline for certain vehicles at the pump.

"This is a renewable, homegrown economy that's going to provide jobs. It's going to provide national security. It's going to be clean, it's going to be green and we think it's the right step forward."

Investment in the ethanol industry has a history of paying off in Minnesota, Peterson adds, and he's optimistic about the state's role in developing cellulosic biofuels.

Franken, too, is confident Minnesota is in place to lead the charge.

"Minnesota has been a leader in biofuels. If anyone is going to take us into the next generation of biofuels, I think it's going to be Minnesotans. Hopefully, this funding will help speed that."



get more stories like this via email

more stories
Creedon Newell practices teaching construction skills in Wyoming's new career and technical educator bridge course, designed to encourage trades students and professionals to pursue a career in CTE teaching. (Photo by Rob Hill)

Social Issues

play sound

By Lane Wendell Fischer for the Shasta Scout via The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service for the Public News …


Social Issues

play sound

Concerns about potential voter intimidation have spurred several states to consider banning firearms at polling sites but so far, New Hampshire is …

Social Issues

play sound

Today, groups working with lower-income families in Connecticut are raising awareness about the state's "benefits cliff" with a day of action…


Environment

play sound

The construction of more solar farms in the U.S. has been contentious but a new survey shows their size makes a difference in whether solar projects …

Political fights were once considered "taboo" for school boards but things like book bans and debates over diversity programs have brought more tension to the day-to-day functions of the panels. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Minnesota's largest school district is at the center of a budget controversy tied to the recent wave of school board candidates fighting diversity pro…

play sound

Minnesota lawmakers are considering a measure which would force employers to properly classify certain trade union workers and others as employees rat…

Health and Wellness

play sound

By Mary Anne Franks for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Northern Rockies News Service reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021