In today's energy news, a new biodiesel fuel company launches in Houston and two ethanol producers, VeraSun Energy and Aventine Renewable Energy, have initial public offerings in the works.

According to a news article on MarketWatch.com today, Brookings, S.D.-based VeraSun Energy has filed to raise $250 million in its initial public offering. VeraSun recently reached agreements to install ethanol fuel pumps in the Midwest with automakers Ford and General Motors.