ADM and Metabolix Announce First Commercial Plant for PHA Natural Plastics
Archer Daniels Midland Company and a biotechnology firm, Metabolix, are cooperating on the production of biodegradable plastic (polyhydroxyalkanoate or PHA) from renewable and sustainable agricultural raw materials. This commercial plant will be built by ADM, while the proprietary technology of Metabolix will be used in manufacture.

http://sev.prnewswire.com/biotechnology/20060213/NEM04813022006-1.html

Governor Wants Alternative Fuels Infrastructure
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has asked state agencies to cooperate in the creation of local distribution infrastructure, including fueling stations, for the renewable transportation fuels, ethanol and biodiesel. State Agriculture, Economic and Community Development, Environment and Conservation, General Services, and Health and Transportation departments will coordinate efforts to facilitate consumer access and education, and to take advantage of the environmental benefits of substituting biofuels for petroleum.

http://nashville.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2006/02/13/daily19.html

Fuel for Growth: Despite Controversy, Ethanol Is in High Demand, Lifting Farm Fortune
The recently expanded VeraSun Energy Corp. facility in Aurora, South Dakota, has become one of the country's largest ethanol production operations, running round the clock and churning out 120 million gallons per year. VeraSun has another plant in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and one under construction in Chales City, Iowa. VeraSun is also considering doubling capacity at its existing plants, which has been great news for local farmers, who sell their corn to the plants. One local farmer who used to sell his corn for export to Asia, now makes more money selling his corn to VeraSun.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/17/AR2006021702109.html

Biomass Power Plant Upgrade in Maine
A Greeneville, Maine power plant will receive $6.9 million in financing to install new combustion and emission controls technology. These upgrades will enable the biomass-burning steam-generation plant to sell Renewable Energy Credits, sell renewable-based power to New England customers, and assist in greenhouse gas reduction efforts.

http://renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=43419

Industry Ahead of Bush on 'Cellulosic Ethanol'
Biofuel companies with their own advances in ethanol production from corn stover, switchgrass, and wheat straw, hope that the recent administration support for their work toward secure energy will mean big business. The world's first commercial cellulosic ethanol plant is under construction in Spain, but domestic biotechnologists are optimistic about their return on investment.

http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16070351&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=474107&rfi=6