Airmen and soldiers in Alaska could one day be using alternative fuels for their operations. The Alaska Journal of Commerce reports the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency has announced it wants contractors to bid on a long-term deal to supply for those Air Force and Army cold weather warriors: Mark Iden, deputy operations director of the Defense Energy Support Center, a …
Senate Bill Would Change Biomass Definition
Senators John Thune (R-SD), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) have reintroduced legislation that would fix the flawed definition of renewable biomass in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
DOE Conference Focuses on Biomass Future
With appropriate policies to help overcome current fiscal constraints, the advanced biofuels industry can meet environmental goals, create new green jobs and contribute to economic growth, according to industry leaders who met this week at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of the Biomass Program’s Biomass 2009: Fueling Our Future conference. During the conference opening plenary session, titled “Dispelling …
Two Steps to Turn Biomass into Biofuel
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have reportedly developed a two-step method to convert the cellulose in raw biomass into biofuel. The process, published in a recent Journal of the American Chemical Society issue, uses untreated, inedible biomass as the starting material. According to a story from the University of Wisconsin, the first step in the process is the conversion …
Government Announces Biomass R&D Funding
The U.S. Departments of Energy (DOE) and Agriculture (USDA) today announced up to $25 million in funding for research and development of technologies and processes to produce biofuels, bioenergy, and high-value biobased products. “These projects will be among many Obama Administration investments that will help strengthen our economy and address the climate crisis. A robust biofuels industry – focused on …
Colorado Hands Out $620K in Ethanol, Biodiesel, Wind & Biomass Grants
The State of Colorado has handed out $620,000 in grants for research and development into a variety of renewable energy sources, including ethanol, biodiesel, biomass and wind energy. This press release from the state Department of Agriculture says the 14 grants have been hand out through the “Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy” (ACRE) program: “ACRE is a statewide effort to promote …
North Dakota Group Wants Biodiesel, Ethanol & Wind Mandate
A group advocating for the development and use of renewable energy, including biomass, biodiesel, ethanol, carbon and wind, wants a renewable fuels standard in North Dakota. This story from Biodiesel Magazine says the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy (NDARE) has issued a proposal for how the state can be more renewable energy friendly: Regarding biofuels, NDARE recommended that the …
Alt Energy Bills Await MI Gov’s Signature
Bills addressing biodiesel and biomass are on Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s desk, waiting for her signature to help make the state a national leader in alternative fuel production. This story from The Bay City (MI) Times has details about some of the bills: • Dedicating five new Alternative Energy Renaissance Zones for facilities that use cellulosic materials for fuel production, …
Biomass to Fuel CT Power Plant
Biomass will be the fuel of choice for nearly half of the energy produced by a Connecticut power plant. This story from Biofuel Review says NRG Energy’s Montville Generating Station in Connecticut is developing a a new biomass project that will produce 30 MW of the unit’s 82 MW generating capacity: According to John Ragan, President of NRG’s Northeast Region; …
Hemp Could Be Next Biofuel Feedstock
Farmers in the U.S could be growing hemp as a biomass crop, if a federal court rules in favor of two farmers trying to get a ban on the marijuana-related plant lifted. This story from Biomass Magazine says the new president could also have a hand in lifting that ban: The U.S. Appeals Court in St. Paul, Minn., heard arguments …