At the Seattle-Tacoma Airport on Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced five major agricultural research projects “aimed at developing regional, renewable energy markets, generating rural jobs, and decreasing America’s dependence on foreign oil.” Altogether, the five-year program will deliver more than $136 million in research and development grants to public and private sector partners in 22 states. University partners from …
New DOE Report Asseses Energy Technology
The U.S. Department of Energy has released a brand new report that recognizes the importance of renewable energy for the nation’s future. The inaugural Quadrennial Technology Review report (DOE-QTR) is billed as “an assessment of the Department’s energy technology research and development portfolios” establishing a framework for energy technology activities and priorities. “Innovation in energy technology is going to be …
Global Biofuels Group Calls Qatar Comments “Self-Serving”
The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) is calling comments made this week by a Qatari government advisor about biofuels contributing to world hunger “self-serving.” At a global grains summit in Turkey on Monday, Quatari food security program advisor Mahendra Shah was quoted as saying, “Biofuels will trigger an increase in agricultural prices. Biofuels will result in another 120 million people …
USDA Approves Payments for Advanced Biofuels
USDA will make payments to more than 160 energy producers in 41 states “to support and ensure the production and expansion of advanced biofuels.” “Renewable energy production will create tens of thousands of direct, American jobs; thousands more indirect jobs, and clean electricity to power millions of homes. The payments I am announcing today represent the continuing commitment of the …
Fyda Expands to Include Propane Autogas
Fyda Energy Solutions has expanded its alternative fuel service offerings to include propane autogas vehicle conversions, joining the Alliance AutoGas network as the newest certified conversion center. The green technology arm of nationally recognized truck dealership Fyda Freightliner, Fyda Energy Solutions will work with a variety of fleet vehicles in the Northeast—from police cruisers to taxi cabs to cargo vans—to …
Bill Would Promote Fuel Choice
Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Dick Lugar (R-IN) have introduced a bill that would ensure most new vehicles in the United States are capable of running on a range of domestically produced alternative fuels starting in 2015. By introducing competition among fuels, the Open Fuels Standard (OFS) Act aims to bring about significant reductions in fuel prices paid by U.S. …
Joint Deal to Improve First Generation Ethanol
Two companies have signed a joint agreement to develop an improved first generation ethanol process with enhanced performance economics. The agreement between Codexis and Raizen Energia S.A. announced today focuses on a range of targets, including improving performance of yeasts now used in ethanol production. Codexis is an industrial biotechnology company and Raizen is Brazil’s largest sugar and ethanol producer. …
GeoGenix Offers Residential Solar Discounts
>New Jersey-based GeoGenix, a SunPower Elite dealer, is offering residential solar systems at a reduced price through the “Drive Green for Life” program that was recently announced by Ford and SunPower Corp. The “Drive Green for Life” program offers buyers of the 2012 Ford Focus Electrica zero-emissions driving experience that allow electric vehicle (EV) drivers to reduce lifetime auto costs …
Novozymes Supports FuelChoiceNow
Novozymes has joined FuelChoiceNow, a coalition announced last week to create more open access to alternative fuels. “The formation of this new coalition proves that momentum is continuing to build behind biofuels. Consumers deserve to have a choice with their fuel and our economy needs the jobs,” said Adam Monroe, President of Novozymes North America. “Novozymes is proud to be …
DOE Finalizes Cellulosic Ethanol Loan Guarantee
The Department of Energy has finalized a $105 million loan guarantee to support the development of one of the nation’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plants. POETThe loan guarantee and financing allows POET to construct Project LIBERTY, a 25 million-gallon-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. “This project represents a pioneering effort to make broad scale deployment of cellulose ethanol a …