The National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) is going to help promote biodiesel to its fans with the help of the United Soybean Board (USB). Beginning next season, all tractors will use B100 (100 percent biodiesel) in all pulling classes. The goal of the program is to increase biodiesel use among farmers, truck drivers and other diesel users who are a …
Soy Energy in Mason City Suspends Operations
Soy Energy, a 30 million gallon per year biodiesel plant in Mason City, Iowa announced it will be temporarily suspending production and that some employees will be impacted. Iowa has 13 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 320 million gallons of biodiesel per year. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following comment: “First, our …
Governors Decline Iowa Hospitality
Despite planned trips to Iowa, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell declined invitations to visit an Iowa ethanol plant and cattle operation from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). Both governors were part of a group that filed for waivers of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) for 2012 and 2013. At this time, the Environmental Protection Agency …
Kyocera Completes Large Solar Project in Australia
The Townsville RSL Stadium in North Queensland, Australia is now the site of the largest photovoltaic (PV) installation. The solar modules for the 500 megawatt hours system were supplied by Kyocera Solar. With the completion of the renewable energy project, featuring 1,800 solar modules, nearly two-thirds of the stadium’s energy needs will be met by solar energy. Ergon Energy installed …
A world you like. With a climate you like.
Climate change is still front and center in the European Union (EU) with the European Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard launching a new communication campaign called “A world you like. With a climate you like.” Supported by more than 70 organizations across Europe, the goal of the campaign is to put practical solutions at the center of the climate …
USDA Funds 244 Agribusiness Projects
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the funding for 244 projects across the United States that are focused on helping agricultural producers and rural small businesses. The projects will help to lower energy consumption and costs using renewable technologies. The funding is part of USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). “As part of President Obama’s “all of the above” energy strategy, …
Solar Efficiency Record Broken
According to Solar Junction, the company has set a world record for energy efficiency for a commercial ready production solar cell. The company says the power conversion efficiency of its photovoltaic cells was measured at 44 percent at 947 suns, surpassing their own record of 43.5 percent at 418 suns set in April 2011. Both records were verified by the National Renewable …
LS9 Top 10 Venture-Backed Company
According to the Wall Street Journal, LS9 has been selected as one of the 2012 Top 10 Venture-backed Green Companies. This is not the only award bestowed on LS9 this month, they also were named to the 2012 Global Cleantech 100, a list of the top private companies in clean technology and are best positioned to solve tomorrow’s clean technology …
Safety, Health Concern in Offshore Wind
Copenhagen is the home of the upcoming Offshore Wind Health & Safety Summit taking place December 5-6. Sponsored by Wind Energy Update (WEU), the conference wil discuss safety culture, access options and training. With the increase in offshore wind projects, such as the North Sea farm power plant, it will require a larger number of workers. Smart companies, says Wind …
LCFS Would Benefit Minnesota
According to a recent study from Political Economy Research Institute, a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) in Minnesota would have a positive environmental and economic impact. The paper, “The Employment Impacts of a Low- Carbon Fuel Standard for Minnesota,” studied the employment impacts of three different scenarios both to 2021 and further to 2035. In each situation, employment is measured …