The New York International Auto Show is set to to kick off April 2, 2010 and many car companies are previewing their latest in “green car” technologies. Yesterday, Chevrolet announced a partnership with ConEdison to introduce the electric-plug-in (and flex fuel vehicle) Chevy Volt to New York. The Volt is scheduled to go into full production in the fall of …
Award Winning Minnesota Solar Home for Sale
Looking for a unique green home? Look no further. The University of Minnesota (U of M), who built an all-solar home for submission in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2009 Solar Decathlon, is up for sale. The 550-square-foot-home house took fifth place out of 20 international entries in October’s Solar Decathlon. Interested buyers are required to submit a purchase …
Newest Cash Crop – Clean Energy
Farmers and small business have found a crop to make them more money – clean energy. This according to a recent report from the Environmental Lay & Policy Center (ELPC) which just released “Farm Energy Success Stories” that demonstrate how a farm or small rural business adopted clean energy technologies and cut energy costs. Examples cited in the report include …
Solar Power Develops Largest Solar RV Parking Station
Solar Power Inc. (SPI) has been selected by Temescal Canyon RV to build the largest elevated solar recreational vehicle (RV) parking structure in the world. The RV park, located in Riverside County adjacent to the City of Corona, will incorporate a 1.75 megawatt DC solar system utilizing SPI’s solar modules. The system will provide both power generation as well as …
Canadian Government Invests in GreenField Ethanol
According to a recent article in Ethanol Producer Magazine, Canada’s largest ethanol company, GreenField Ethanol located in Varennes, Quebec, will be receiving up to $79.75 million from the Canadian government. The funds are being distributed as part of the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program. The funds will be used to help the plant engage in future research and invest in additional …
Biodiesel – A Great Success Story
“Biodiesel is a great fuel. It’s a great success story,” said Rob Joslin, the President of the American Soybean Association when I asked him during an interview (see below for audio) why biodiesel is so important to our country. While the biodiesel has had great success, it is currently facing a challenge – the $1 per gallon tax credit expired …
Book Review – Climate of Extremes
I have a question for you. Is the debate over global warming over? The next logical question is: Should it be over? According to authors Patrick J. Michaels and Robert C. Balling Jr., human-induced climate change is indeed real, but this will not necessarily lead to an environmental apocalypse. This is the premise of their book, A Climate of Extremes. …
Sorghum Poised for Bigger Role in Ethanol Production
Today, about 1/3 of the sorghum crop goes into ethanol production. An interesting little piece of information I picked up when I spoke with Gerald Simonsen, the Chairman of the National Sorghum Producers during Commodity Classic. Sorghum is a good feedstock for ethanol production for several reasons. First, it uses half the amount of water used in corn production and …
“Baby Girl” Wins Cutest Kid Photo Contest
The winner for the Renewable Fuels Association’s (RFA) E85 Flex-Fuel Challenge Cutest Kid Photo Contest is in – Latisha Martinex of Virgina Beach. Ms. Martinex will receive free ethanol for one year and her photo was selected by the judges based on creativity and quality. More than 1,000 photos were submitted and of those, “Amira and her Snow Love,” submitted …
GWEC Releases “Great Expectations” Wind Report
“It is clear that Congress must pass a strong federal renewable electricity standard so that investors, developers and state policy makers are working together to achieve a common goal,” said Iowa Governor Chet Culver today during a press call to release the findings of a new wind energy report: Great Expectations: U.S. Wind Energy Development, the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition’s …