Grist | Topics | 349 Results

RESULTS		Results 326 – 349 of 349
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Headline	Author	Published	Section
Move your butt Speedboat powered with ass fat.	Clark Williams-Derry	18 May 2006	Gristmill
Uh, folks, is this story real? Saving the planet can be a real pain in the butt. Just ask Peter Bethune, who's powering his speedboat with biodiesel made of fat from his backside.That's right, Wired is reporting that some dude turned his own liposuction fat into a liter of biodiesel. OK, so he admits it's just a symbolic gesture -- part of a publicity stunt to promote renewable fuels. The main event is breaking the round-the-world speed boat record in a rad-loo ...
Topics: biofuels, funnies (all these topics)

Big Ethanol ...	David Roberts	15 May 2006	Gristmill
... wins again. House Majority Leader John Boehner's attempt to lower the ethanol tariff (and thus allow ethanol-hungry oil refineries to purchase ethanol from overseas) has gone down in flames: Boehner, who is from Ohio, said last week that the United States was not producing enough ethanol to meet demand and that a temporary reduction in the 54-cent-a-gallon tariff could help boost available supplies and lower gasoline prices. ... Farm state ...
Topics: biofuels, economy, energy, ethanol, politics (all these topics)

ADM, high-fructose corn syrup, and ethanol A speculation about why ADM's HFCS business is booming.	Tom Philpott	10 May 2006	Gristmill
In the first quarter of 2006, as I reported yesterday, Archer Daniels Midland somehow managed to boost the price of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) despite mounting concern over the sweetener's health effects. The company booked a cool $113 million profit from HFCS over the quarter, more than three times more than it netted in the same period a year before ($33 million). This, despite a slowing domestic market for sweet soft drinks, as consumers increasingly switch to j ...
Topics: agriculture, biofuels, Brazil, business, ethanol, food, industrial ag (all these topics)

Biodiesel: The slippery facts	Clark Williams-Derry	23 Apr 2006	Gristmill
Biodiesel -- the cleaner-burning vegetable-based oil that can be substituted for ordinary petroleum diesel -- is getting a lot of press these days. That's not too surprising: alternatives to oil tend to get a lot of attention when fuel prices are rising, which they're certainly doing right now. Perhaps the biggest piece of recent policy news is Washington state's new renewable fuels standard, passed just last month, which mandates that 2 percent of the diesel s ...
Topics: biofuels, energy, oil (all these topics)

Ethanol dreams and ethanol realities	David Roberts	14 Apr 2006	Gristmill
Christopher Cook has a piece in the American Prospect identifying my central concern about the ethanol boom. To wit, here are the sustainability advocates: An array of ideas are afloat to encourage a more sustainable biofuels expansion: a diversified renewable energy policy that, rather than expanding corn crops, promotes more wind power and cellulosic energy from switchgrass and crop residues (which may favor localized, small-scale production); a federal vers ...
Topics: agriculture, biofuels, energy, ethanol (all these topics)

Ethanol and coal What's really disturbing about the new coal-fired ethanol plants.	Tom Philpott	27 Mar 2006	Gristmill
David's post about ethanol and coal inspired me to do a bit of research on just how much coal goes into producing G.W. Bush's favorite 'renewable,' 'clean-burning' fuel source. What I found is ... disturbing. First, some background. Before you can distill corn into fuel, you have to crush it. There are two ways to do so: wet milling and dry milling. According to this USDA document, dry milling accounts for about two-thirds of ethanol production, wet milling the rest ...
Topics: biofuels, coal, energy, ethanol (all these topics)

Media Shower: An addendum	Chris Schults	10 Mar 2006	Gristmill
When I was asked to start writing this weekly column, I toyed around with the idea of having myself a slogan: 'I watch TV so you don't have to.' It is a good thing I didn't, because I'm failing miserably. First, Brendon directs me to CBS's The Amazing Race, which is in its ninth season. I gave up watching the show a few seasons ago. But without Brendon's tip I wouldn't have realized that in episode two, which takes place in Brazil, the teams had to make their own et ...
Topics: biofuels, ethanol, green living, TV (all these topics)

Our long-term source of transportation power What's sustainable?	David Roberts	21 Feb 2006	Gristmill
Related to the soon-to-be-revised index-card manifesto, I have a question, raised by some of the feedback I got: My assumption is that sooner or later all personal vehicles -- and eventually all vehicles, period -- will be powered solely with electricity from renewable sources: wind, solar, hydrokinetic, biothermal. Here's my basic reasoning: Humanity's energy reserves (fossil fuels) are finite. We need to start living within the earth's solar budget. Consider th ...
Topics: biofuels, cars, energy, fossil fuels, renewable energy, solar voltaic power (all these topics)

Biofuel: some numbers What's the most energy-efficient crop source for ethanol?	David Roberts	07 Feb 2006	Gristmill
Biofuel is the hot topic lately in the green blogosphere. There's legitimate dispute about the political and environmental wisdom of plant-based fuels, but at the very least everyone should be starting from a valid, shared set of numbers (oh, to dream). In an attempt to offer up such numbers, I'm going to ... rip off somebody smarter than me. Namely, Lester Brown, founder of the Worldwatch Institute, founder of the Earth Policy Institute, and author of the recently ...
Topics: biofuels, energy, ethanol (all these topics)

GM and ethanol Just because General Motors calls it green doesn't mean it is.	David Roberts	08 Jan 2006	Gristmill
Joel Makower reports that General Motors will lead a joint demonstration project "to learn more about consumer awareness and acceptance of E85 as a motor vehicle fuel by demonstrating its use in GM's flexible-fuel vehicles." The California Department of Transportation will use some flex-fuel vehicles and work with Chevron Technology Ventures to make sure there are filling stations that offer E85 (gas w/ 85% ethanol). A company called Pacific Ethanol will pr ...
Topics: biofuels, business, energy, ethanol (all these topics)

To Top It Off On diesel vs. standard gasoline cars	Umbra Fisk	02 Nov 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I've always heard bad things about diesel fuel. However, I know someone who has a diesel VW that gets 50 miles to the gallon. I'm wondering if you could do a cost-benefit analysis for me. I know I can't afford a hybrid anytime soon, and was wondering if it would be better to buy a used diesel car that gets excellent gas mileage or a regular used car that gets in the 30 to 40 mpg range. Anne Nelson, N.H. Dea ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, fuel efficiency, oil, placemaking (all these topics)

The Pledge of Reason Dispatches from a student-run clean-car campaign		23 Aug 2005	Dispatches
The Road to Detroit campaign is run by 11 student organizers from around the U.S., one big, beautiful biodiesel and veggie-oil bus, and many friends and allies. Road to Detroit is a campaign of Energy Action, a student and youth clean-energy and global-warming coalition. Dispatch: 1 \| 2 \| 3 Tuesday, 23 Aug 2005 DETROIT, Mich. Yesterday evening, the Road to Detroit team of organizers joined up with our brave Drive the Future we ...
Topics: biofuels, cars, Dispatches, education, energy, fuel efficiency, grassroots activism, Michigan, placemaking, renewable energy (all these topics)

What's All the Bus About? Dispatches from a student-run clean-car campaign		22 Aug 2005	Dispatches
The Road to Detroit campaign is run by 11 student organizers from around the U.S., one big, beautiful biodiesel and veggie-oil bus, and many friends and allies. Road to Detroit is a campaign of Energy Action, a student and youth clean-energy and global-warming coalition. Dispatch: 1 \| 2 \| 3 Monday, 22 Aug 2005 DETROIT, Mich. In the madness of classic cars and signs reading "Burn Out," "Light Her Up," a ...
Topics: biofuels, cars, Dispatches, education, energy, fuel efficiency, grassroots activism, Michigan, placemaking, renewable energy (all these topics)

Biodiesel: it's what you make it out of Replacing fossil fuels with biodiesel may do more harm than good	biodiversivist	19 Aug 2005	Gristmill
I remember when real environmentalists drove smoking VW vans with bumper stickers that said stuff like, 'You can't call yourself an environmentalist if you eat meat.' They didn't get the best gas mileage, but hey, you could do worse. They were replaced by the forest-green Subaru Outback (Eddy Bower edition if you were really cool), seen by the dozens in any REI parking lot. These are presently being eclipsed by the ubiquitous Prius. But, there is stiff competition fro ...
Topics: biofuels, cars, consumerism, energy, hybrids, placemaking (all these topics)

Mind Over Motor Dispatches from a student-run clean-car campaign		19 Aug 2005	Dispatches
The Road to Detroit campaign is run by 11 student organizers from around the U.S., one big, beautiful biodiesel and veggie-oil bus, and many friends and allies. Road to Detroit is a campaign of Energy Action, a student and youth clean-energy and global-warming coalition. Dispatch: 1 \| 2 \| 3 Friday, 19 Aug 2005 DETROIT, Mich. We know you know about fuel-efficient cars. You may even own one. Peak oil, the rising price at the pump, an ...
Topics: biofuels, cars, Dispatches, education, energy, fuel efficiency, grassroots activism, Michigan, placemaking, renewable energy (all these topics)

Changes of Engine On biodiesel vs. straight veggie oil	Umbra Fisk	17 Aug 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I have the opportunity to convert a 1979 non-turbo Mercedes into a non-diesel. The question I have is: to which should I switch, biodiesel or vegetable oil? I can't seem to find out which one is best, just that these two are better than any petroleum-based fuels, which we already know (thanks for your earlier column on hybrids vs. veggie oil). Also, is it possible to switch from biodiesel to veggie oil, ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, placemaking, renewable energy (all these topics)

A Vroom of One's Own On whether to eco-retrofit an old car	Umbra Fisk	28 Apr 2005	Ask Umbra
My husband is an environmentalist. He wants one of the new alternative-fuel cars, but I have a dream to surprise him for his birthday with a 1970 muscle car (a Malibu or something like that) from his youth, which I would retrofit with a biodiesel or natural-gas engine. My questions are: 1. Should I put in a biodiesel engine or a natural-gas engine? 2. Who can do this for me in California (preferably the Bay Area ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars (all these topics)

Veggie Tailpipes On converting your car to straight veggie oil	Umbra Fisk	17 Mar 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, A few years ago, I bought a Prius because it was (and still is, unfortunately) the best car that's offered in our messed-up world. I'm now going to buy an old diesel Mercedes and convert it to run on used vegetable oil. I think this might be the best way to go. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks! Jilli Tarzana, Calif. Dearest Jilli, I answered the main part of your question in my last column ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, placemaking (all these topics)

SVO Speedwagon On hybrids vs. veggie-oil cars	Umbra Fisk	14 Mar 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I currently drive a 2002 Toyota Prius that gets about 40 to 42 miles per gallon on the highway, which is where most of my driving takes place. However, I've recently become enamored with biodiesel vehicles, and specifically with straight vegetable oil (SVO) vehicles. I'm interested in investing in an SVO system fueled by, hopefully, recycled oil from local restaurants. I've looked into your column archives, and i ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, electric vehicles, hybrids, placemaking, Prius (all these topics)

Ain't it funny how time slips away	Katharine Wroth	15 Feb 2005	Gristmill
We are late on this one -- later than J Lo's apology for sucking, later than the U.S. signing on to Kyoto -- but just in case you missed it: Willie Nelson is getting into the biodiesel business! The iconic singer and three partners have formed 'Willie Nelson's Biodiesel,' and they're marketing 'BioWillie' (a name that somehow conjures former President Clinton, but never mind) to truck stops across the country. Lots of bloggers have gushed about this already. But he ...
Topics: biofuels, celebrity, energy (all these topics)

Mikey Likes It Bush's pick to head the USDA is a big ethanol booster	Amanda Griscom Little	09 Dec 2004	Muckraker
At a White House ceremony last week announcing the nomination of Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns (R) to succeed Ann Veneman as agriculture secretary, President Bush called his pick "a strong proponent of alternative energy sources, such as ethanol and biodiesel," later adding that "in a new term, we'll continue policies that are pro-growth, pro-jobs, and pro-farmer." Johanns ( ...
Topics: agriculture, biofuels, cellulosic ethanol, Department of Agriculture, energy, ethanol, Muckraker, politics (all these topics)

Is That a Lawmaker in Your Pocket, or ... ? A breakdown of the Senate vote to end debate on the energy bill		21 Nov 2003	Muckraker
A massive energy bill backed by the Bush administration stalled out in the Senate this morning, when its supporters failed to garner the necessary 60 votes to end debate on the legislation. Only 57 senators voted to halt debate; 40 voted to keep it going. Those in favor of the bill, which has already been passed by the House, say it would increase and diversify energy sources a ...
Topics: biofuels, energy, Muckraker, politics, renewable energy, US House of Representatives (all these topics)

Grease Be With You Advice on converting to biodiesel	Umbra Fisk	10 Oct 2002	Ask Umbra
Umbra, I own a diesel VW Golf, which I bought thinking it was a better choice for the environment than a gasoline engine. Therefore, I was disappointed to read your message that diesel is probably a worse choice. However, you didn't talk at all about biodiesel. Can you give us a rundown on this fuel -- how to get it, how it may be beneficial, and what you might have to do to ensure your car can run on it safely? Thank ...
Topics: advice, agriculture, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, energy, food and agriculture, green living, greenhouse-gas emissions, placemaking (all these topics)

Pioneer Hybrid		03 May 2001	Daily Grist
Pioneer Hybrid Despite the five-month waiting list for Toyota Priuses in the U.S., Toyota has no plans to boost production numbers for its four-door gas-electric hybrid, which gets between 45 and 52 miles per gallon of gasoline. Toyota and Honda (its two-door Insight rates between 61 and 68 mpg) are planning to build fewer than 20,000 hybrid cars for sale this year in the U.S., where ...
Topics: biofuels, cars, electric vehicles, hybrids, Leonardo DiCaprio, Prius (all these topics)

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