Oil to Run Dry Before Biofuels Run Freely

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new report by researchers at the University of California, Davis, at the current pace of research and development, global oil supplies will run out 90 years before replacement technologies are ready. The study was based on stock market expectations and was published in the journal of Environmental Science & Technology. The paper, “Future Sustainability Forecasting by Exchange …

biofuels, Oil, Research

New Solar Farm in Taylorsville, NC Powers Homes

Joanna Schroeder

A new solar farm in Taylorsville, NC is up and running and powering numerous homes and businesses in the community served by EnergyUnited. The solar project consists of 4,224 photovoltaic (PV) panels that can generate enough energy to power 150 homes. Unlike some solar systems that are designed using conventional fixed-tilt technologies, this project uses a tracking systems to follow …

biomass, Electricity, Solar, Wind

More E85 For Pennsylvania Motorists

Joanna Schroeder

Sheetz has unveiled its “East-West Clean Fuel Corridor” across Pennsylvania this week. Now, motorists who are seeking out E85 don’t have to go far off the beaten path as they travel between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. The company has opened six locations that now sell E85 and along with special signage to draw in customers, they are also offering motorists informational …

E85, Ethanol

Project Liberty Featured on IPTV

Joanna Schroeder

As the corn harvest is winding down through the Midwest, Project Liberty is just ramping up on its collection of light corn stover and corn cobs. This fall is the first major cellulosic feedstock harvest for the biorefinery that is expected to be in full production sometime in the first half of 2012. Recently, Project Liberty was highlighted during “Market …

Cellulosic, corn, Ethanol, POET

What’s Next for Alternative Energy?

Joanna Schroeder

Many reports in the past year have come out and determined that alternative energy such as wind and solar will have a major impact by 2030. However, in a new report released today, the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) says that the impact could happen sooner than others predict. “What’s Next for Alternative Energy?” examines seven influential and promising alternative energy …

biofuels, Electric Vehicles, Research, Solar, Wind

Global Oil Subsides Reach $312 Billion

Joanna Schroeder

Today, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its 2010 Edition of the World Energy Outlook in which it reported that global fossil-fuel subsidies have amounted to more than US $312 billion in 2009. The number includes subsidies to fossil fuels used in final consumption and to fossil fuel inputs to power generation. However, the report did not include direct producer …

biofuels, International, Oil, Research

Buncombe County NC Kicks off AutoGas Program

Joanna Schroeder

Asheville, North Carolina has become the first paratransit program in the state to offer fleet managers AutoGas, or propane fuel. Today, the Buncombe County Commissioners Carol Peterson and Holly Jones, held an event for the local community to learn about the new alternative fuel initiative known as the Mountain Mobility’s AutoGas vehicle program. “Mountain Mobility is so appreciative of all …

Company Announcement, Propane

New Controversial Biofuels Report Released

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new study released this week, the European Union (EU) plans to increase its use of biofuels over the next 10 years and it will require 69,000 square kilometers of new land causing climate change to become worse. “Driving to Destruction” was commissioned by a coalition of environmental and development NGOs and the study reports that by 2020, …

biofuels, biomass, Indirect Land Use, International, Research

Book Review – The Story of Stuff

Joanna Schroeder

Many years ago on a high school field trip, we were taken to the local landfill. It was nearly full and the city needed to do something – find somewhere to take its trash. Out of this field trip came my first environmental inspiration. I researched recycling and determined that at that time, the only way to get people to …

book reviews, Environment, Waste-to-Energy

Food Prices on the Rise – Biofuels Not to Blame

Joanna Schroeder

Is the food versus fuel debate finally subsiding? It has been hanging around since 2008 when the Grocery Manufactures of America launched a coordinated attack on the ethanol industry blaming them for the rising cost of food. It turned out that the greatest offender was actually rising oil prices which topped out over $150 per barrel. This week, the Wall …

corn, Ethanol, food and fuel, Growth Energy, Opinion