Blink Charges Surpasses 1 Million EV Charges

Joanna Schroeder

ECOtality has hit a first for the country: it has surpassed one million electric vehicle (EV) residential charge events on its Blink Charges. The company says it is the first in the industry to reach this milestone. At the end of June 2012, the company had 800,000 charge events. This is not the only milestone the company recently achieved. It …

Electric Vehicles

Library Adds Solar for Cleaner Environment

Joanna Schroeder

The Port Washington Public Library has added thin film solar cells to its roof’s cap sheet layer to generate solar energy. The only building in Nassau and Suffolk counties in New York state to generate power this way, the system has the ability to generate an average of 42,000 kWh of electricity per year and but CO2 emissions by more …

Education, Electricity, Energy, Environment, Solar

Iowa Bioenergy Tour Huge Success

Joanna Schroeder

The 4th Annual Biofuels: Science and Sustainability Tour took place recently hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The three-day tour brought several Washington, D.C. policymakers and regulators to Iowa for a inside and hands on look at the renewable fuels and agricultural industry in the state.  Participants had the opportunity to talk with many renewable fuels experts, agriculture leaders …

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Major Auto Companies Endorse E15

Joanna Schroeder

In response to strong sales of E15 in areas where the ethanol blend is offered, Ford Motor Company and General Motors (GM) announced their recommendations for use of E15 in their new vehicles. GM added the recommendation of E15 for its 2012 and newer vehicles, while Ford recommends E15 for its 2013 and newer vehicles. In response, Iowa Renewable Fuels …

biofuels, blends, Car Makers, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Solar in Spain Increases

Joanna Schroeder

Two large scale power plants are being connected to the grid south of the Iberian Peninsula in Spain. Coenergy was selected for the installation. The first power plant will have a total capacity of 1.8 KWp and is located in Jerez de la Frontera on an industrial rooftop spanning 24,000 square meters. The second solar power plant will have a …

Electricity, Energy, International, Solar

Undecided Voters Favor Clean Air & Energy

Joanna Schroeder

According to a poll of undecided voters in eight swing states including Florida, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, the favored candidates for president and Congress are ones that support clean air and clean energy policies over candidates who don’t. The survey was conducted by the Public Policy Polling (PPP) on behalf of the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Action …

Energy, Solar, Wind

VA Gov Bob McDonnell Touts Propane & CNG

Joanna Schroeder

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell kicked off his third annual Governor’s Conference on Energy this morning by officially beginning his state fleet’s transition to alternative fuels. Governor McDonnell began the event by signing partner agreements as well as a memorandum of understanding to switch state fleet vehicles to a mix of propane autogas and compressed natural gas (CNG). A propane autogas …

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Propane

Ag Energy Coalition Talks Farm Bill

Joanna Schroeder

The 2008 Farm Bill has officially expired giving the agricultural industry and renewable energy industry, which had programs in the 2008 Farm Bill, a grave level of uncertainty to growing segments of the U.S. economy. This move has caused private sector investments to dry up and threatens good paying jobs. In response, Lloyd Ritter, co-director of the Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) said, …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biomass, energy efficiency, Ethanol, feedstocks

Book Review: Rooftop Revolution

Joanna Schroeder

There are some books you read and you feel a bit smarter and then there are some books you read that get you excited and compel you to action. Rooftop Revolution by Danny Kennedy got me re-energized about solar energy. In simple terms, the book is about the economic and environmental benefits of solar power. Kennedy focuses on photovoltaics, a …

book reviews, Electricity, Energy, Solar

Top Reasons to Attend Biodiesel Conference

Joanna Schroeder

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is celebrating its 20th anniversary and its 10th biodiesel conference. Don’t miss out on next year’s event: Momentum – National Biodiesel Conference & Expo 2013. The conference will take place February 4-7, 2013 in Las Vegas. But in this case, what happens in Vegas should not stay in Vegas. The tips you learn, contacts you …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, National Biodiesel Conference, NBB