Ecosystems containing many different plant species are not only more productive, they are better able to withstand and recover from climate extremes, pests and disease over long periods, according to a new study. Moreover, they would potentially provide a renewable source of biomass to produce biofuel, according to research carried out at the University of Minnesota. It is the first experiment to gather enough data--over a sufficient time and in a controlled environment--to confirm a 50-year scientific debate about whether biodiversity stabilizes ecosystems.

The findings, published in this week's (June 1, 2006) issue of the journal Nature, are the result of 12 years of experiments conducted by David Tilman, an ecologist at the University of Minnesota, and colleagues Peter Reich of the University of Minnesota and Johannes Knops of the University of Nebraska. The research was conducted at the Cedar Creek Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site, one of 26 such National Science Foundation (NSF) sites.

Veolia Environmental Services today announced that it has been engaged to construct its first biodiesel production plant in France.

The facility will be located near Paris in the region of Limay (78). This project forms part of the second phase of a program established by the French government to aide the development of biofuel, and thus, promote the use of renewable energies.

The project, due to commence in 2008, consists of the establishment of a manufacturing plant for the production of resource-recovered biodiesel from used food oils that will be blended with virgin vegetable oils.

Truck and engine manufacturer Scania has announced that it is meeting the increased demand for engines that can run on renewable fuels and is now paving the way for operation on 100-percent RME, Rapeseed Methyl Ester.

 

After completing long-term tests, Scania says it can now guarantee operating reliability on 100 percent RME for all its trucks with engines featuring unit injectors. This means that most Scania trucks built during the past eight years – more than 300,000 vehicles – are able to reduce their net contribution of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Western Australia's Agriculture Protection Board has placed a state-wide ban on two plants being used as sources of biodiesel feedstock.

 

The European biofuels market in 2005 generated in excess of euro1.88 billion, according to the European Commission.

Dublin Bus has announced its intention to convert a large proportion of its tour bus fleet to biodiesel in an effort to reduce its dependence on imported oil.  The company timed its announcement to coincide with EU Green Week, which starts today.

Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (Nasdaq: PEIX), has announced that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement with a group of institutional investors to sell 5,496,583 shares of common stock at a price of $26.38 per share for gross proceeds of $145 million. The purchase price per share was determined based on a discount of approximately 10% to the average closing bid price of the Company’s common stock for the preceding five trading days. The investors will also acquire warrants under which they will have the right to purchase an additional 2,748,295 shares of common stock at $31.55 per share commencing six months after the closing and ending on the later of nine months from closing or 30 days after the effectiveness of a registration statement covering their resale. Cowen and Company acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.

 

The so called PIPE deal (Private Investment in Public Equity) has raised eyebrows in some quarters, following on so soon after a large tranche of shares, just over 2.7m, were released by the company in April. 

The Governor of New York, George E. Pataki, has announced nearly $6 million in State funding to assist Western New York Energy (WNYE) in the development of the first state-of-the-art dry mill ethanol plant in New York State. The $87.4 million facility is to be located on 144 acres in the Town of Shelby, Orleans County.

“Western New York Energy’s new facility in the Town of Shelby will help us take advantage of this opportunity to reduce our dependence on unstable foreign energy supplies,” Governor Pataki said. “The new facility is expected to produce 50 million gallons of ethanol a year and create 58 new jobs and represents another significant step in our goal of developing a strong biofuel industry in the State which will not only provide an economic boost to our farming community, but keep our energy dollars here in New York.”