The wind generation industry in America breathed a collective sigh of relief when a U.S. Congressman from a coal-producing state pulled a measure that would have effectively killed wind power generation as an alternative to coal-powered plants.
Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall, D-West Virginia had been pushing for regulations that would require the U.S. Interior Department to protect birds and bats by regulating the siting and operation of energy wind turbines to ensure the safety of wildlife. According to this AP article in the Jackson Hole (WY) Star Tribune, wind industry officials said those rules would have halted the development of wind farms:
His action unleashed intense lobbying by the wind industry and renewable energy advocates, who argued that such restrictions would stop wind farm development at a time when wind is viewed as the most viable renewable alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear power for producing electricity.
As his committee began final crafting of the energy package Wednesday, Rahall relented and agreed to support, instead, a less-sweeping measure offered by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. It calls on the Interior Department to develop “guidelines” for protection of wildlife from wind turbines, not regulations.
“I think it was a good compromise. It will allow the development of wind and still allow for a process” to protect wildlife, Rahall said after his committee recessed for the day. A final vote on the energy package was expected today.
This “will allow wind power to continue to thrive,” said Markey. Rahall said he expects Markey’s amendment to get final approval, although it must still go through a formal committee vote.
The article goes on to say the turnaround shows how much more clout the wind power industry has now compared to a few years ago. Having some big allies, such as General Electric, now in the game sure doesn’t hurt either.
Singer Jenny Owen Youngs, known for her music on the Showtime series Weeds, is incorporating some green (different kind of green in this case) in the van she’s using to tour the country. 
Starting next month, all diesel sold in Portland, Oregon will have to have at least a five percent biodiesel content.
The latest was a station the Quick Sav Food Store in Swartz Creek. That station got about $8,400 to put in the new pumps… one of six stations in Michigan that received about $43,400 in grants to help put in the infrastructure that will get ethanol and biodiesel into the hands (or more accurately, into the tanks) of drivers – check out 
U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman today in Loudon, Tennessee joined officials from DuPont Tate & Lyle in a joint venture to open a $100 million Bio-PDO(TM) facility… the world’s first of its kind. Check out 
There are two products that come out of Bio-PDO: Zemea(TM) and Susterra(TM) propanediol. Zemea is used for personal cleaning products and liquid detergents due to its high purity and low irritation. Susterra is used in de-icing fluids, anti-freeze and heat transfer fluids because of its low toxicity and biodegradability.
Farmer-owned 
According to a press release, Dakota Ethanol board member Brian Woldt said the company has been successful in the eight years it has been operating.
Helping with the grand opening was Alan Jones, manager of Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Environmental Policy Office, who is pictured fueling up a state vehicle with E85 at the Walker Springs Road Pilot location just off of I-40 in Knoxville.
Here’s a heads up about a short trip I’m taking next week courtesy of the 
While I’m there I’ll be conducting interviews, taking pictures and talking with PERC staff and members about what they do. It’s going to be a learning experience which we’ll do together.
One of the topics I’m sure you’ll be interested in is the 
This week I’m attending the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN to do some work with