Ethanol Key Issue in MO Governor’s Race
Ethanol has become the key issue in the race for the governor’s mansion in Missouri, as the two main Republican contenders square off over the state’s new ethanol mandate. Sarah Steelman, who is also the State Treasurer, has now switched her position to opposing Missouri’s mandate that requires that practically every gallon of gasoline sold in the state must contain …
Iowa College Offering Wind Turbine Technician Program
As the need for wind energy grows… expected to grow at double-digit rates in capacity over the next 20 years… the need for workers who can construct, repair and maintain those green energy systems grows as well. To help meet that need, a college in Northwest Iowa… an area known for its wind power generators… is offering a program to …
Consumer-Scale Wind Generators Gain Popularity
With utility rates rising… and expected to get even higher… it’s no wonder people are looking at generating their own electricity. This story from the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch says backyard wind power generators are growing in popularity, despite their sometimes hefty price tag: “They are definitely growing [in popularity],” says Ron Stimmel of the AWEA, the national trade …
Wisconsin Paper Mill Turning Into Biodiesel Plant
A 100-year-old paper mill in Northern Wisconsin is being converted to make biodiesel. This press release posted on the Milwaukee Business Journal web site says Flambeau River BioFuels has received a $30 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to build and to operate a first-in-class refinery that will turn biomass from forestry and agricultural operations into biodiesel at an existing …
Maryland Biodiesel Plant Resumes Re-Opening Plans
Officials with a Maryland biodiesel plant, where a man was killed while working on bringing the idled refinery back on line in May, say they will continue to work to get the facility back in to production. This story from the Delmarva Daily Times says Greenlight Biofuels held a town meeting in the Princess Anne community to reassure residents that …
Blackhawk Buys Mothballed Illinois Biodiesel Plant
An Illinois biodiesel company has bought a biodiesel refinery that had been mothballed. Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC, with $19.8 million in financial backing from the state of Illinois, has bought the 45-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant at Danville, Illinois. This press release from Blackhawk’s web site says the company will upgrade the facility to accept a wider range of feedstocks in hopes of …
Biodiesel Favorite of Favorite Foods
New Hampshire-based Favorite Foods, a $20 million a year broadline foodservice distributor, is switching its fleet of trucks to biodiesel. This story from the Foster’s Daily Democrat says it is part of the company’s overall green plan: “As a business, we have always done everything we can to positively impact our customers and our economy,” stated Chris Barstow, president of …
Nation’s Capital to Host Renewable Energy Expo
A coalition of business, environmental and energy policy organizations advocating aggressive development of renewable energy will team up with members of Congress for the the 11th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency EXPO + Forum, July 31st in Washington, DC. According to the group: This year’s EXPO will bring together more than three dozen businesses, sustainable energy industry trade …