[OKC] news on biofuels . passenger rail news

[Shauna Struby]

Oklahomans spread the word about state's future in biofuels


May 21, 2009 

By Brian Brus

The Journal Record

OKLAHOMA CITY - Steve Rhines had been at the exhibition hall of the BIO 2009
conference in Atlanta for only a few minutes before he started fielding
questions about Oklahoma's switchgrass.

"They're interested in what we're doing here and the reputation that
Oklahoma is growing in regard to biofuels," said Rhines, vice president of
the Ardmore-based Noble Foundation.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) conference is one of the
world's largest networking events for the industry, providing an opportunity
to meet potential business partners, clients and investors. About 20,000
people were expected to attend this year, a slight downturn because of the
economy.

More than 60 Oklahomans went to the weeklong event, said i2E Inc. spokesman
Jim Stafford, who also attended. The contingent is a mix of economic
development officers, researchers and entrepreneurs from across the state,
including representatives of the state Commerce Department and local
chambers of commerce.

Rhines said he received a lot of questions about the Noble Foundation's work
with ag producers near Ardmore to plant small plots of switchgrass and a
1,000-acre project in the Panhandle last year. Rhines called the latter the
world's first large-scale test production of a crop specifically as a
biofuel source.

The Noble Foundation originally focused on switchgrass because it is an
excellent feed source for livestock in the spring and therefore a potential
cost savings for ag producers, Rhines said. The crop grows naturally
throughout many areas of Oklahoma and the U.S.

Rhines credited the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center for facilitating partnerships
to allow the project to explore switchgrass's potential as biofuel after the
initial grazing period, which would increase the crop's value dramatically.

"We're refining the model, which would be really important for Oklahoma and
stocker production throughout the Southeast," he said. "But one of our
greatest concerns is how long it would take to transition multi-generational
livestock production into a biofuels economy. It's not going to happen
overnight.

More here :::  <http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=98848>
http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=98848 


 


Rail revival on horizon - Vision of passenger route to Okla. via Newton may
gain steam if state wins funding.


By John Green - The Hutchinson News -  <mailto:jgreen at hutchnews.com>
jgreen at hutchnews.com


 


(Brad Vest/The Hutchinson News) 

State transportation officials will seek $20 million in federal funding for
upgrades on a freight train route from Newton to the Oklahoma border in
support of developing passenger rail service on the route.The funding will
include a $10 million request from the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act and a like amount from the 2010 federal highway bill.

In December, Kansas Department of Transportation and Amtrak officials
approved a jointly funded study to determine the feasibility of
state-supported train service from Kansas City, Mo., to Fort Worth, Texas,
via Newton. Officials expect to complete the study by fall. The route would
rely on the Southwest Chief from Kansas City to Newton, then re-establish a
former route into Oklahoma that was discontinued more than 20 years ago.
More here ::: http://www.hutchnews.com/Todaystop/railr 

 


Kansas seeks $20 million in federal funding for upgrades on freight train
route


By Associated Press 

10:45 AM CDT, May 20, 2009

 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) - Kansas transportation officials will seek $20
million in federal funding that could help develop passenger rail service
from Newton to the Oklahoma border. The money would be used for upgrades on
a freight train route. Kansas is asking for $10 million request from the
federal stimulus package and $10 million from the 2010 federal highway bill.
The Kansas Department of Transportation and Amtrak are funding a study to
determine the feasibility of state-supported train service from Kansas City,
Mo., to Fort Worth, Texas. Officials expect to complete the study by fall.
The route would rely on the Southwest Chief from Kansas City to Newton, then
re-establish a route into Oklahoma discontinued more than 20 years ago.
http://www.kfor.com/news/sns-ap-ks--railfunding,0,5246308.story 

 

::: shauna lawyer struby

 

 

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