According to Jonathan Coppess, USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator, biomass producers, energy facilities and communities are benefiting from USDA’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). Through April 2, 2010, USDA has approved 4,605 agreements for the delivery of more than 4.18 million tons of biomass and paid eligible biomass owners $165,274,695 in matching payments under BCAP’s first phase. BCAP was established …
Biofuels Benchmarking Annual Report Released
Today, Christianson & Associates, PLLP (C&A) has released a new in-depth report that looks into ethanol plant efficiency and financial viability. The Biofuels Benchmarking Annual Report is in its 7th year and analyzed the operational and financial performance of more than 50 ethanol plants along five major “bench” areas: overall ethanol industry analysis, regional ethanol plant analysis, production capacity analysis, …
‘Heavy Oil’ Working Group to Launch
Big Oil baffles me. They are running full-scale ad campaigns touting their work in developing alternative energy sources, (you couldn’t miss them if you watched the Winter Olympics) and then they turn around and file a suit against the EPA for the expanded Renewable Fuels Standard. They claim it is “unlawful and unfair.” Well, today, according to an article in …
Book Review – Enough
As I write this review, I’m sitting on my deck looking out at dozens of acres of avocado, orange and lemon trees. Yesterday, I helped to plant a vegetable garden – the produce being grown for a local restaurant. The irony is that as I am surrounded by abundance here in America, I’m reading about those in other countries who …
Rep. Giffords Releases Solar Energy Report
Today, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz) along with Environment Arizona, have released a solar energy report, “Building a Solar Future: Repowering America’s Homes, Businesses and Industry with Solar Energy,” detailing how solar energy can be used to power our homes, businesses, farms, and neighborhoods as well as how solar can play a role in energy security and pollution reduction. “This …
EPA Certifies CleanFUEL’s Propane Engine System
It looks like the EPA has been busy approving propane fueled vehicles. Today, CleanFUEL USA has announced that the EPA has certified the industry’s first liquid propane engine built on a General Motors 6.0L chassis. Propane has been gaining momentum as a fuel of choice for fleet vehicles and CleanFUEL’s liquid propane injection systems (LPI) provides a high-performance, fuel efficient …
EPA Approves ROUSH Propane Fueled Vans
ROUSH has just gotten word today that the EPA has approved their 2010 E-150, E-250, and E-350 propane fuel conversion system for meeting their Federal emission regulatory requirements. The propane fueled vans became available in December of 2009. Early last month, ROUSH received word that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) had approved the propane fuel conversion system for ROUSH’s …
Opposition Mounts Against Cape Wind Project
Less than two weeks ago, Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri released the “Great Expectations” wind energy report as commissioned by the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition. The two governors met with Obama to share their findings, one of which is strong support for coastal, deep water and offshore wind energy technology, research and investment. The …
Solar for Schools Act Introduced
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz) has announced the introduction of legislation that would make it more affordable for schools to install solar power systems. The Solar Schools Act was announced during a day-long tour of Tuscon, Arizona that highlighted the state’s burgeoning solar industry. “School buildings are used most heavily during the day, during the same hours that solar energy …
BIO to Congress: Fund $25M for Cellulosic Production
Today, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) released a letter to House and Senate appropriators asking them to fund the Section 942 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 labeled as Production Incentives for Cellulosic Biofuels to the tune of $25 million for 2011. Known as a reverse auction program, BIO is encouraging this action as a way to assist pioneer …