Consumer Group Urges Energy Action

Cindy Zimmerman

CFAA new report from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) shows just how much energy costs have skyrocketed in recent years.

According to the report, household energy expenditures (home heating and gasoline) have nearly doubled in just the last five years, and are now 50 percent more than health care expenditures and 23 percent more than spending on food.

CFA also released a new poll revealing deep concern among consumers about the worsening energy situation and strong support for three key policies to begin addressing it, including higher passenger vehicle fuel economy standards, the purchase of renewable energy by electric utilities and increased production of biofuels.

The survey indicates that 84 percent of Americans support those three key policies contained in Congressional energy legislation, and 75 percent still support them even after hearing arguments from opponents of the legislation.

Energy, Ethanol, News

Driving an E85 Market in Kansas City

John Davis

EPIC forum on E85 fuelThere’s a growing market for E85 fuel blends in Kansas City and the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council wants to make sure local producers, ethanol retailers and flex-fuel vehicle car dealers are equipped with the infrastructure, knowledge and marketing tools they need to sell an E85 product. EPIC is sponsoring two educational forums about the high-grade alternative fuel today at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Overland Park. This morning, industry leaders came together to discuss and learn about promoting what EPIC calls “part of the solution for the future.” The forum is also meeting this afternoon.

E85, EPIC, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles, News, Production

Texas Wind Power for 2008

John Davis

Invenergy Wind LLCThe Stanton Wind Energy facility in Martin County, TX is winding down construction and estimates its facility will be fully operationally by early 2008.

Invenergy Wind LLC has announced the successful closing of construction and equity financing for its 120 MW Stanton Wind Energy Center (“Stanton”) in Martin County, Texas. The debt facility was underwritten by lead arranger Dexia Credit Local and co-arranger Natixis. The equity will be provided by GE Energy Financial Services.

Stanton will utilize 80 General Electric 1.5MW SLE wind turbines and construction is being managed by DH Blattner & Sons. Full commercial operation of the wind farm is scheduled for early 2008. The project interconnects with Oncor, the transmission affiliate of TXU, and all power will be sold into the ERCOT market. Energy price risk is hedged through a long-term agreement with Credit Suisse Energy. The wind farm will be owned and operated by Invenergy.

Invenergy acquired the Stanton Wind Energy Facility from Wind Tex Energy, L.P.

Energy, Facilities, News, Wind

Biofuels Research at Arizona State

John Davis

Science Foundation ArizonaThe Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University is launching a Renewable Biofuel Research Initiative. Science Foundation Arizona and energy company BP are funding the initiative meant to propel the development of a renewable source of biofuel.

The research effort focuses on using a specially optimized photosynthetic bacterium to produce biodiesel, a sustainable high-energy fuel that can be used in conventional engines.

Biodesign Institute at Arizona State UniversityThe use of renewable, photosynthetic bacteria in the production of biofuel eliminates the need for costly and complex processing. In addition, the large-scale microbial cultivation, using only solar energy and an environmentally controlled production facility, can be set up on arid land.

BPThe renewable technology holds significant promise, with an estimated high biomass-to-fuel yield. Furthermore, because the bacteria are dependent upon carbon dioxide for growth, a more environmentally friendly and potentially carbon neutral energy source is feasible. The small footprint needed for bacterial biofuel production allows the technology to be placed adjacent to power generating stations and the utilization of flue gas as a carbon source.

The Renewable Biofuel Research Initiative is part of a series of Strategic Research Group awards being offered by the Science Foundation Arizona.

Biodiesel, E85, Energy, Ethanol, News, Research, Science

EPA Issues Biodiesel Guidance

John Davis

epaseal.gifThe Environmental Protection Agency has issued its guidance to biodiesel producers.

Biodiesel Magazine reports that the document, named “Guidance for Biodiesel Producers and Biodiesel Blenders/Users,” addresses biodiesel quality, harmonization of standards, and enforcement activities.

“EPA also plans to increase enforcement efforts to ensure that biodiesel producers are complying with EPA’s standards, in particular ensuring that all biodiesel meets ASTM D6751,” the agency states. “For biodiesel registered since 2002, any biodiesel that does not meet the version of ASTM D6751 in effect at the time of registration will be considered an unregistered fuel subject to the penalty provisions in 40 CFR 79.8 (civil penalties of up to $32,500 per day per violation). … EPA regulations … also provide authority to EPA inspectors … to enter the premises of any fuel manufacturer, importer, carrier or distributor and make inspections, take samples, obtain information and records, and conduct test to determine compliance…”

The article goes on to say the document also includes some controversy as it states emissions results from its 2002 study, that indicated slightly higher levels of NOx emissions.

To read the full document, click here.

Biodiesel

Iowa Soybean Growers Call for Biodiesel Incentives-First Approach

John Davis

isoylogo.JPGThe Iowa Soybean Association is calling on Iowa lawmakers to take an incentives-first approach to biodiesel policy in the upcoming legislative session.

This story on Grainnet.com says they’re suggesting legislators consider some market-driven strategies:

Highlights of this plan include:

• an increase in the current retail tax credit program,

• creation of a “bulk sales” incentive,

• new infrastructure support options through the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board,

• subsidies to existing biodiesel production facilities, and

• increased biodiesel usage by state fleets.

“We think this is a balanced, market-driven approach to biodiesel policy,” says Curt Sindergard, ISA president and a soybean farmer near Rolfe, Iowa.

While pushing for the incentives, the association is also rejecting any state mandates for biodiesel use (although federal mandates are OK). Officials admit that they’re getting an early start, but the see some serious issues with feedstock costs.

Biodiesel

Georgia Considers Ethanol Blend Changes

Cindy Zimmerman

Tommy IrvinGeorgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin is holding a couple of town hall meetings later this month to listen to comments regarding updating Georgia’s fuel standards for ethanol blends.

A recent article in Florida Today noted that state officials in Georgia and other Southeastern states, including Florida, are moving to alter fuel-quality standards that have discouraged refiners from adding ethanol to gasoline sold in the region.

Agriculture departments typically set the gasoline rules, and most of them in the Southeast — including in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee — are taking steps to ease their rules.

Standards can be relaxed without harming engine performance, officials say, and adding ethanol to gasoline could save motorists money.

A gallon of ethanol is about 40 to 45 cents cheaper than a gallon of gasoline in the region, which translates to several pennies cheaper at the pump for a typical gasoline-ethanol blend.

“That’s our goal. Give them a quality product, save a few dollars and be patriotic,” said Tommy Irvin, Georgia’s agriculture commissioner.

Georgia’s town hall meetings on the issue are scheduled for November 27 in Atlanta and November 29 in Tifton.

Ethanol, Government, News

Ag Secretary Nominee Has Biofuels Credentials

Cindy Zimmerman

Schafer BushIn his nomination of former North Dakota governor Ed Schafer as Secretary of Agriculture on Wednesday, President Bush noted his support of domestic fuel.

“Ed Schafer is the right choice to fill this post. He was a leader on agricultural issues during his eight years as the governor of North Dakota,” Bush said. “He oversaw the development of the state’s agricultural biofuels industry. He helped families recover from natural disasters — including drought, fires and floods. And he pioneered innovative programs to increase economic opportunity in rural communities.”

Schafer served as Governor of North Dakota from 1992 to 2000. He is nominated to replace Mike Johanns who resigned from the position last month to run for the U.S. Senate in Nebraska.

Ethanol, Government, News

Making Biodiesel from Sludge and Wood Chips

John Davis

chattanoogaseal.jpgA Tennessee company will try to make biodiesel out of sludge from the Chattanooga public works and wood chips.

This story posted on Chattanooga.com says the city council has given GSL Energy Solutions the green light on a six-month, test contract:

Gerry Harstine, president, said the bio-diesel produced by the process has a higher BTU than ethanol.

He said it can be used to power industrial boilers and high-speed, off-road diesel engines. He said further testing is needed to determine if it can work for other uses.

The firm will operate from a 100×200 facility at the Summit Landfill.

City public works will deliver the sludge to that site.

Mr. Harstine said the process can produce 2,000 gallons of the fuel from 60 wet tons of sludge. The city produces about 400 wet tons per day.

If it works, the benefits for Chattanooga are two-fold: the energy produced and the sludge going into the landfill reduced.

Biodiesel

Google Tops in Solar; Working on Other Renewables

John Davis

Internet search giant Google is the largest corporate installer of solar power, and company officials say they want to use more renewables in the future.

According to this article on C|Net.com, Robyn Beavers, the director of environmental programs at Google, says they intend to use renewable energy sources for 50 megawatts of electricity for its operations by 2012:

cce2007-logo.jpgBeavers spoke at the Conference on Clean Energy here on Monday where she outlined a number of initiatives that Google participates in aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Those include the 1.6 megawatt solar installation at its corporate headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. In addition to panels on building roofs, Google has constructed a car port with solar panels as a roof, under which people can charge up plug-in hybrids.

Asked whether Google was considering wind power, Beavers said she couldn’t say. But she didn’t leave much doubt that all forms of renewable energy are actively under consideration.

“Wind, solar, geothermal, fuel cells–you name it, we’re looking into it,” she said.

Google officials say their investment in solar will pay for itself in seven and a half years. They’ve already dropped 30 percent of their consumption from the grid.

Solar