The Sunshine State Renewable Energy Expo & Symposium is being held this week in Tallahassee. Organized by the Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association, the event “will highlight Florida’s current and prospective renewable energy projects, provide recommendations that will spur the renewable energy industry in Florida, have an overview of financial and policy opportunities for the renewable energy industry in Florida …
Earthrace Ready to Go Again
The boat, Earthrace, is set to make another attempt at circumnavigating the globe fueled by biodiesel. You might remember that Earthrace’s attempt fell short last year after it ran into problems, including hitting a Guatamalan fishing boat, killing one man. But this story in Motor Boat & Yachting says there’s another try to start on March 29th: The international crew, …
PA Biodiesel Producers Barely Hanging On
Biodiesel producers in Pennsylvania are in a tough spot these days, and unless the state steps in to help them, their industry could go bust by the end of the month. This story in the Central Penn Business Journal says lawmakers are still sparring over subsidies that could help make the industry competitive again: There are two proposals that would …
“Sugar Eater” Holds Biofuel Promise
Two University of Maryland scientists believe a strain of bacteria that decomposes everything from algae to newspapers to crab shells could help produce cheaper fuel. Found on marsh grass in the Chesapeake Bay, this organism could soon be used to generate ethanol from cellulosic sources such as waste paper, brewing byproducts, leftover agriculture products, including straw, corncobs and husks, and …
Win $10,000 for Ethanol Video
If you have a video camera and/or a computer, plus a little creativity and some time, you could win $10,000 and the chance to have your creativity seen by millions. The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council’s “Fuel the Change” sweepstakes has a casting call out for a 30 second video about how ethanol is a part of your life and …
USDA Energy Grant Announcements
At last week’s Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) 2008, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced that USDA will accept almost $221 million in loan and grant applications within USDA’s Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. “As demand for energy rises, these renewable energy loans and grants help farms and rural small businesses increase their investment in renewable energy …
25 x ’25 Energy Summit This Week
Coming up this week in Omaha is the National 25x’25 Renewable Energy Summit. The conference will feature leading renewable energy experts from across the nation. More than two dozen pre-eminent authorities on biofuels, biomass, wind, solar and other land-based renewable energy sources will address the summit. Presenters will include Dr. Steven Chu, Nobel laureate and director of the Lawrence Berkeley …
Texas Ethanol Plant Grand Opening
The first large-scale ethanol plant in Texas will hold its grand opening this weekend near Hereford. Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen says the opening of plants like White Energy outside of the traditional ethanol producing area of the country is critical to the continued growth of this industry. “No longer are Midwesterners the only Americans to realize the benefits …
Volvo Debuts Biofuel-friendly Trucks
Automaker Volvo has unveiled seven trucks that the company sees as the future for long-haul transportation in the country. This story in Land Line Magazine says Volvo officials debuted the trucks at the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference in Washington, DC: The trucks, powered by everything from biodiesel and ethanol to biogas and hydrogen, are touted by the company as …
WIREC 2008 Wraps Up
The Washington International Energy Conference wrapped up Thursday after three days of discussions, presentations and networking between more than 7,000 representatives from over 100 countries. The United States pledged to continue its leadership in renewable energy through efforts coordinated by multiple agencies. For example, USDA will work on the development and cultivation of switchgrass for the production of cellulosic ethanol, …