A trend in Canada that shows natural gas moving from a niche fuel to the mainstream might be an indication of a more prevalent direction for that fuel worldwide. This article from the Globe and Mail (thanks to @pickensplan on Twitter for the tip!) says environmental benefits, plentiful supplies and low costs are helping improve natural gas’ prospects: For natural …
USDA Nears Finish of Biomass Crop Assistance Rules
USDA officials say they are close to finalizing the rules for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), a measure that was in the 2008 Farm Bill and is designed to encourage farmers to grow new crops for energy production. But there’s still some work to do before it is finally implemented. “We have put out a proposed rule, received over …
Connecticut Gov Signs Biodiesel Heating Oil Mandate
Connecticut Yankees (and any other immigrants to the Nutmeg State) will be able to stay warm … and green … in winters in the future, thanks to biodiesel. That state’s Governor Jodi Rell has signed into law a 2 percent biodiesel in heating oil mandate that kicks in next summer. However, Heatingoil.com reports it does have some conditions attached: Although …
Verizon Fitting Ford Vans with CNG
Communications giant Verizon is adding about 500 Ford cargo vans that will burn compressed natural gas (CNG). This Ford press release calls the work on the E-250 cargo vans an upfit that will help Verizon reduce its energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions: “Verizon’s fleet team is constantly on the watch for new, lower-carbon technology,” [Ken McKenney, Sustainable Fleet-Technical Engineering …
Hawaiian Utility Gets Green Light on Green Biodiesel
The utility that provides almost all of the power for Hawaii has been given the go ahead to use biodiesel for some of that power production. The state’s Public Utilities Commission has cleared Hawaiian Electric Company to use between three and seven million gallons of the green fuel made from used cooking oil and waste animal fat, from Iowa-based Renewable …
New Class of Tractor Pullers to Use Biodiesel
Some tractor pullers will be running green … and I’m not just talking about the John Deere machines out there. This article from Wallaces Farmer says the National Tractor Pullers Association’s 2010 season will feature a new competition division, the Light Pro Stock class, and with sponsorship from the United Soybean Board (USB), those tractors will be running on soy …
Making the Case for Getting Rid of Biofuels Subsidies
As the biodiesel industry anxiously awaits Congress’ renewal of the federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax credit, an energy consulting company that specializes in biodiesel and ethanol operations is actually calling for elimination of these types of credits for all biofuels. This opinion piece in Biofuels Digest from Sklar & Associates makes the case that we don’t have to give the biofuels …
Senate Leaders Promise Enough Biodiesel Votes…Again
Senate leaders are promising again that there are enough votes to get the biodiesel tax incentive renewed. This article from The Hill says New York Democrat Sen. Charles Schumer believes his chamber will have the 60 votes needed to pass the federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax credit as part of a larger measure introduced by Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana). …
How Many Wind Turbines for Leaking Gulf Oil Well?
Found a great piece (well, with some help from some Facebook friends at Beckerman PR) on the real cost of offshore wind turbines versus offshore oil platforms in Forbes. Karl Burkart’s piece asks, “How many offshore wind turbines could have been installed for the cost of one $10 billion Deepwater Horizon?,” the platform that sank and unleashed the worst offshore …
Emulsified Biodiesel to be Used at Port of LA
The Port of Los Angeles could soon be using a cleaner blend of biodiesel that actually uses some water. This post on the BrighterEnergy.org website says Alternative Petroleum Technologies has completed the commissioning of an emulsified biodiesel blending unit near Sacramento, California: The company, which has its US headquarters in Reno, Nevada, said the new facility has a capacity to …