The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released new data showing the cost of wind energy has declined by nearly two-thirds over the last six years according to the report 2014 Wind Technologies Market Report. DOE Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz noted, however, that to keep the momentum going there must be stable energy policy. “With declining costs and continued technological …
Iowa State Fair to Host Prez Soapbox
Iowa State Fair visitors have an opportunity to see what presidential candidates think about energy and agricultural issues compliments of the Des Moines Register’s Presidential Soapbox series. A majority of the presidential candidates from both parties have confirmed they will speak from the soapbox during the fair. A total of 14 Republicans and four Democrats are on the soapbox schedule …
Need Biomass? There’s an App for That
Genera Energy has developed a biomass app to use as a crop planning and learning tool for biomass farmers and landowners. The Biomass app has multiple features including a biomass crop library complete with detailed information, photos and range maps for the most utilized biomass crops in the U.S., along with the ability to overlap crop ranges in a live, …
MN Soy Helps Bring Bioheat Awareness to Midwest
Bill Zurn is a farmer from Minnesota who grows soybeans, corns and sugar beets. Last fall he had a chance to go out to the bioheat tour in New York City where they explained why they use Bioheat, a biodiesel blended oil commonly used for heating homes and buildings in the northeast. He said the port authority is also a …
BioEnergy Bytes
ScottMadden, Inc., has recently published “The Electric Vehicle Market: Utility Perspective and Considerations for Utility Infrastructure Deployment.” This report is designed to help utilities who are considering the initial launch or expansion of their electric transportation program with Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) infrastructure and other market support offerings. Wisconsin Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner has introduced legislation that requires the Environmental Protection …
E15 Hot Topic at ACE Ethanol Conference
E15 will be a hot topic at the upcoming American Coalition for Ethanol Conference next week. The topic of how higher blends can help fuel retailers to succeed will be discussed during a panel in Omaha, Nebraksa August 19-21. Panelists include Todd Garner, CEO of ProTec Fuel and Jim Pirolli, VP of Fuels for Kum & Go. The August 20th …
What Iowa Legislators Support the RFS?
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), America’s Renewable Future (ARF) has published a list of which legislators support the RFS in Iowa. Iowa is the top producing biodiesel and ethanol state and is also a leading cellulosic ethanol producing state. The bipartisan list includes city, county and state government officials who publicly support the …
Growth Energy Praises 10 Years of RFS
Saturday, August 8 marked the official 10th anniversary of President Bush signing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) into law. The legislation promotes the use of biofuels in replacement of fossil fuels and is in effect until 2020. According to Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis, the RFS has been an overwhelming success and is accomplishing the goals it was designed to …
BioEnergy Bytes
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a DOE-Labor Working group that will help unions maximize job creation as states develop Clean Power Plan compliance plans. The partnership is with the DOE, Utility Workers Union of America, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and United Steelworkers. The Quadrennial Energy Review noted that the energy sector is expected to produce 1.5 …
BioEnergy Bytes
FuelCell Energy, Inc., a leader in the design, manufacture, operation and service of ultra‐clean, efficient and reliable fuel cell power plants, has announced the appointment of two new members to the Company’s Board of Directors, including Paul F. Browning, former President and Chief Executive Officer, Irving Oil Company Limited and Matthew F. Hilzinger, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, USG …