Alternative Fuel Plant Goes Idle

Alternative fuel manufacturer KiOR Inc. is putting its $225 million plant in Lowndes County in "idle" state until it can raise money for more research and plant improvements.

Mar 18th, 2014

Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) — Alternative fuel manufacturer KiOR Inc. is putting its $225 million plant in Lowndes County in "idle" state until it can raise money for more research and plant improvements.

The disclosure came in the company's end-of-the-year financial filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

In that filing, KiOR says an earlier announced second operation for Lowndes County will not occur until late 2015 — if at all.

KiOR also says that the SEC subpoenaed information Jan. 28 about the status of the Columbus plant and biofuel projection levels as part of an investigation. KiOR faces several lawsuits claiming it misrepresented its progress at the facility

The alternative fuels plant started operating 18 months ago but has been plagued by operational and financial difficulties. The plant stopped production in December.

Industrial Media Unboxing Video

Industrial Media Unboxing Video

IEN Unboxed is a new show in which our editors unbox new tools on the market and discuss their features.

Average U.S. Gasoline Price Jumps 15 Cents to $4.38 Per Gallon

The current price sits just a nickel below the highest average price in history.

Buffett's Berkshire Keeps Buying Occidental Petroleum Stock

Berkshire bought nearly 5.9 million more shares on Monday and Tuesday.

A worker walks among pipelines that will carry gas toward Rambouillet, France, May 3, 2022.

Europe's Farmers Stir Up Biogas to Offset Russian Energy

They'll soon turn on the tap of a new facility where crops and agricultural waste are mashed up and fermented.

I Stock 480964788

Allowing E15 Fuel Year-Round Won't Increase Sales Much

But it's a symbolic victory for corn ethanol advocates.

About $61 million is being set aside for Dominion Energy South Carolina after the utility sold a number of properties as part of the settlement of a class-action lawsuit by 1.1 million of its customers over the never completed plants at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station near Columbia.

$61M in Refunds for Customers in SC Nuclear Debacle

The plants never produced a watt of power.

Shell Reports Record Earnings

High oil and gas prices, partly due to uncertainty about supplies from Russia, are boosting the profits of major energy companies.

Biden Administration Announces $3.16B to Boost Domestic Battery Manufacturing

DOE is also announcing a separate $60 million to support second-life applications for batteries.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, on Capitol Hill, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Washington.

Energy Chief Granholm Touts $3B Plan to Boost EV Batteries

Electric vehicles accounted for 4.2% of U.S. new vehicle sales in the Q1 of this year.

A woman works at a coal depot in Ahmedabad, India, Monday, May 2, 2022. An unusually early and brutal heat wave is scorching parts of India, where acute power shortages are affecting millions as demand for electricity surges to record levels. Supplies of coal at many thermal power plants are running perilously low, spawning daily power outages in several states. The shortages are sparking scrutiny of India’s long reliance on coal, which produces 70% of the country’s electricity.

Heatwaves, Blackouts Spark Scrutiny of India's Coal Use

Coal produces 70% of the country's electricity.

I Stock 1304776024

Does 'Green Energy' Have Hidden Health, Environmental Costs?

Are low-carbon technologies really better than fossil fuels and nuclear power?

I Stock 1254562578

New Englanders Support More Offshore Wind Power

Just don’t send it to New York.