This week’s major economic speech from President-elect Barack Obama pointed out how ethanol and biodiesel, as well as other alternatives to conventional energy sources, will be key to the nation’s economic recovery. This article from the New York Times says the plan also pushes energy efficiency: “To finally spark the creation of a clean energy economy, we will double the …
Outgoing Ag Secretary Notes Biofuel Gains
The outgoing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture listed advancements in the renewable fuels industry among the accomplishments of the Bush administration over the past eight years. Speaking to reporters this week, Secretary Ed Schafer noted that growth in ethanol and biodiesel production have helped create “remarkable prosperity and growth in the agriculture economy” during the Bush administration. “Looking to the future, …
Biodiesel, Ethanol Friend Leaving Senate
U.S. Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, a longtime friend of renewable and clean energy efforts, has announced he will not seek re-election in 2010. During his nearly 40 years of elected service as Missouri’s State Auditor, the state’s youngest governor and a U.S. Senator (which he served an amazing four, six-year terms), Bond has been a great advocate for green fuels. …
Cellulosic Ethanol Company Raises Capital
A company claiming to have the capability to produce “third generation” ethanol has raised $34 million to prove it. Colorado-based ZeaChem is developing a cellulose-based green fuels and chemicals biorefinery platform that converts renewable non-food biomass into market-competitive products such as ethanol. The new funds will be used to build ZeaChem’s first cellulosic biorefinery set to begin construction this year. …
Biodiesel, Ethanol Part of Northeast Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Eleven states in the Northeastern United States have agreed to a Low Carbon Fuel Standard, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and other energy uses. Biofuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol, are part of that plan. This press release from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection says the key is all the states working together: In June, Governor …
Solar Leads Record Year of Green Investment
While it might have been a tough year for most investments on Wall Street, venture capital funding into alternative energies really took off in 2008, setting records. This story posted on CNET News quotes a Cleantech Group report that says those investments jumped to $8.4 billion, a 38 percent increase from the previous year: Solar investments helped drive the growth, …
Biodiesel Board CEO Fights Kraft’s Fear-Mongering
The National Biodiesel Board is refusing to let food companies spread fear and misinformation in the continuing food-versus-fuel debate. NBB CEO Joe Jobe, responding to Kraft Foods’ CEO Irene Rosenfeld’s blame of biofuels for the rise in food prices, has submitted his own opinion piece to USA Today asking how Kraft can continue to make soaring profits at the cost …