Lunch and Learn Series - Bio-Fuels: Is This Really The Alternative?

· What renewable fuels are really going to work?
· Can I make my own bio-fuel?
· What are the benefits of corn based ethanol?
· Are bio-fuels competing for food crops?
· How much is the Federal Government spending on bio-fuels?
· What advances have been made regarding forestry bio-mass?
· How economically important are bio-fuels?

Come eat lunch and learn about bio-fuels at the UGA Thomas County Extension office. We will have USDA and UGA Engineering, Agronomy, and Warnell School of Forestry experts at this program.

This program is open to all interested. Register by paying at the Thomas County Extension Office.

For a flyer visit here.

Where: UGA Thomas County Extension Office
227 West Jefferson Street
Thomasville, GA 31792

When: 12:15 PM - Thursday, March 26th

Cost: $10 - Due by Tuesday, March 24th
***Includes Lunch***

Who To Contact: R.J. Byrne - 229.225.4130 - rjbyrne@uga.edu

Bioenergy Hot Spot: Meigs, Georgia

From the December Forest 2 Market Newsletter:

On November 20, when Woodlands Alternative Fuels announced that it would build a wood pellet plant in Meigs, Georgia, few were surprised. Like Woodlands Alternative, many bioenergy companies have been flocking to Georgia over the last couple of years. There have been so many, in fact, that the state has dubbed a large swath of the state the Bioenergy Corridor. Many credit the state’s Bioenergy One Stop Shop with this success.

In April 2006, Georgia formed the Georgia Renewable Energy One-Stop Shop. The One-Stop Shop, which is now part of the Georgia Center for Innovation in Agriculture, holds working meetings in which pre-screened businesses are given an opportunity to present and discuss their bioenergy projects with representatives from over 20 state and federal agencies. The companies leave with the contacts they need to get started. The resulting streamlined permitting process takes just 90 days in most cases.

Georgia has also adopted income tax credits to offset the costs of installing biomass power plants and other renewable energy technologies. The credit covers up to 35 percent of the cost of a solar, wind, geothermal, or biomass installations. For businesses, the ceiling for the credit is $500,000, though the credit cannot exceed tax liability. Taxpayers are also eligible for credits resulting from the transportation of wood waste to biomass facilities on a per-ton basis.

When Woodlands Alternative opens in June 2009, it will join three other pellet plants (including Fram Renewables), a cellulosic ethanol industry led by Range Fuels (which is currently building the first commercial scale facility to produce ethanol from wood), and multiple wood-based power plants (like the one that Rollcast Energy will build to supply Santee Cooper with electricity). Because of these projects and others like them, we select Georgia as our Bioenergy Hot Spot this month.

Another article - link1 link2

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Looks like the wood pellet industry is growing more and more. As the article states, this will be the 4th pellet plant in Georgia once it is up and running. Plus, it is in our own backyard.
- R.J.

Local Farmers Look To Peanuts for Bio-diesel

Folks, we just had a short workshop on bio-diesel and you can read the news story below. If you are interested in learning about making bio-diesel, please let us know by emailing us so we can get you signed up for the next workshop, tentatively planned for February 2009.

http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/27929724.html
Posted: 5:15 PM Sep 5, 2008
Last Updated: 5:15 PM Sep 5, 2008
Reporter: Caroline Blair
Email Address: caroline.blair@wctv.tv

Now many farmers are turning to peanuts to help ease the pain at the pump. The nuts are made up of nearly 50% oil.

The USDA's Peanut Bio-diesel Project began several years ago to help take peanuts from the field to the fuel tank.

And on Friday in Thomasville, area farmers got the chance to hear how the program is progressing and what they can do to start planning for a bio-diesel rich future.

"You know I spend anywhere from give to seven thousand dollars a month in fuel alone and if we could get the numbers they talk about at $2.50 a gallon that cuts my fuel costs in half, so you're looking to save $3000 a month," said local wildlife business owner Alan Dennard, who is very interested in making and using bio-diesel for his business.

Researchers say they are constantly working on ways to cut costs and that growing peanuts for fuel gives farmers control and independence.

The University of Georgia's Thomas County Extension Agency hosted the informative meeting with the USDA's Chris Butt's as guest speaker.

SouthEast BioEnergy Conference 2008

Just in case you have not heard about the Southeast Bioenergy Conference 2008 in Tifton, GA, here is some info:

In our third Southeast Bioenergy Conference, experts will be on hand to deliver the latest information and answer your questions on the changing face of this market. Ron Fagen, President and CEO, Fagen Inc., will keynote the conference. The man and his company has the best handle on the pulse of the industry and will share his insights for the future. Joining him in the headlines will be Gale Buchanan, USDA’s Under Secretary for Research, Education, & Economics, relaying why the U.S. will need more than bioenergy to meet the energy needs of the future. Jose Luis Oliverio, Senior Technology and Development Vice President, Dedini Industrias de Base, will share his perspectives on how the Brazilian biofuels market developed and why it will be successful in the U.S. Guest Speakers from throughout the Southeast and beyond (led by Dr. David Bransby, Auburn University) will share their experiences and vision for the Southeast. Attendees will :

• Discover the energy contained in forest products and how you can add value to your bottom line.
• Explore new and emerging technologies with companies on the cutting edge.
• Learn the role of water and other environmental issues play in the development of bioenergy.
• Acquire valuable insight to ably evaluate bioenergy project investment--expectations, market potentials and pitfalls.
• Hear what aspects of crops grown for bioenergy are important for conversion to biofuels/bioenergy.
• Examine the importance of a quality product, ample supply, and marketing.
• Find ways to incorporate energy conservation and renewable energy production into your business, your community and your home.
• Gain insight from our group of financial experts in the art of the deal.
• See new and innovative tools that are making the business of bioenergy more efficient and effective.
• Uncover ways to “waste not; want not”.
• Build invaluable contacts for your current or future project.
  Join us for Southeast Bioenergy Conference 2008.
  The dialogue begins August 12th at 8:30 a.m.!

Click on this link to register...