Coal-based electricity is emerging as a qualified energy source for one concerned group as the nation heightens its energy awareness. The Americans for Balanced Energy Choices have taken it upon themselves to promote a not-so-new energy option, saying sometimes the old way is the better way.
With energy security issues weighing heavily on the minds of Americans by foreign oil prices topping $90 a barrel for the first time, Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC) today launched a new campaign to raise the public’s awareness of the inherent benefits of coal-based electricity.
The America’s Power campaign reminds consumers that 50 percent of their electricity comes from coal, and strives to ensure the development of energy and environmental policies that will allow the American public to enjoy the benefits of affordable, secure and reliable electricity well into the future. The campaign also reinforces the goal of ensuring ultra-low/near-zero emissions, including the capture and storage of greenhouse gases.
ABEC’s new campaign comes at a time when energy issues are at the forefront of presidential, national and state policy discussions. As ABEC demonstrated in the report “The Rising Burden of Energy Costs on American Families, 1997-2007” the country’s poorest families will spend nearly 46 percent of their income on energy and transportation costs. These concerns are prompting policy makers across the nation to take a new look at coal’s role in meeting America’s growing demand for affordable and reliable energy.
The American Soybean Association (ASA) is raising concerns about the level of government funding to alternative energy sources, particularly biodiesel, in the Senate’s version of the Farm Bill.
Among those testifying before Rep. Edward J. Markey’s (D-Massachusetts) committee, musician Adam Gardner (left) of the band Guster… founder of the non-profit group “Reverb” which has helped other bands, including the Barenaked Ladies, the Dave Matthews Band, Alanis Morrisette, John Mayer, Norah Jones, The Fray, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers green up their tours.
Dale Ludwig, chief executive officer of the Missouri Soybean Association, said the facility planned in Moberly “will pretty much do it” for the construction of Missouri plants given statewide soybean production. He said statewide biodiesel production is expected to peak at about 200 million gallons a year once all proposed plants are up and running.
Ethanol interests are hoping that Congress might finally get the energy bill into conference committee this week. 
Meanwhile, the Senate Agriculture Committee is finally scheduled to mark up a farm bill Wednesday morning, with chairman Tom Harkin announcing agreement on structure last week. 
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson has announced 
GE Energy will provide Third Planet Windpower with 167 1.5 megawatt wind generators for wind farm projects in Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska and Wyoming that will be ready for turbines in 2009. 
Palm Tran, with its 9-10 million riders a year, will switch its 115 buses to biodiesel in a few months. 
The BioBike – a 100-mile-per-gallon, biodiesel-powered motorcycle – is racing 3,000 km (1,800 miles) across Australia.
Diesel cars are well-established in the market and renowned for their ability to deliver excellent fuel economy in comparison with their petrol brethren. But why haven’t we seen more diesel motorcycles? Well, diesel engines run extra-high compression pistons, and their sparkless ignition produces much stronger power pulses – which gives them excellent torque, but means that the engine casings need to be thicker and heavier to deal with the increased stresses.