Just when I thought we would not get much on renewable energy in tonight’s presidential debate from Belmont University in Nashville, a question from the crowd has started the conversation in earnest. A lady asked if the candidates would take the same quick call-to-action approach to solve the looming global warming crisis as we saw in the recent financial crisis. …
McCain, Obama Call for More Renewable Energy
Presidential candidates Republican Sen. John McCain and Democrat Sen. Barack Obama are back at this evening, debating from the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn… and I’m here on my couch watching and listening carefully to what they say, paying special attention to what they say about renewable energy. Both have just touched on the renewable energy issue, mostly …
HEC to Build Hydrogen V8
Algona, Iowa-based Hydrogen Engine Center, Inc. has teamed up with Eliminator Performance Products with the intention to build the largest spark-ignited hydrogen V8 engine ever. This press release from HEC says it’s designed for large hydrogen-fueled electrical power generation systems and for buses: Ted Hollinger, HEC Founder, says “This 572 cubic inch engine will give us a much needed power …
Biodiesel Maker Now Making Diesel Additive
A biodiesel refiner from Georgia has re-tooled its business a bit and now is cranking out the nation’s first, non-petroleum diesel additive. This story in the Macon (GA) Telegraph says Alterra Bioenergy is producing DieselMaxx, touted as lubricating and improving diesel engine performance while cutting down on polluting emissions: “When I started this business, I expected to buy, process and …
Transition to a Bioeconomy: Part III
In just about a week and a half, government officials, bioenergy experts and leaders in the private industry will gather in St. Louis, Mo., for the third in a series of conferences sponsored by the Farm Foundation addressing the issues facing rural areas as they move to a bioeconomy. Michael Popp, professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Arkansas, …
Report: Biodiesel, Ethanol & Renewables to Create 4.2 Million US Jobs
A new report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors says 4.2 million Americans will have green industry jobs by 2038… a dramatic increase from the current 750,000 green jobs in the country now. “This report proves that being green is not optional, it is necessary for a healthy and robust economy,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny …
Debt Repayment Could Help Biodiesel Refiner
Investors have stepped in to give troubled Imperium Renewables, which operates a 100-million gallon biodiesel refinery in the Seattle area, a boost to repay some of its debts. This story from the Seattle Times says Imperium has also hired a third-party debt restructuring firm to help it negotiate down debt with other creditors: “With this recapitalization and cooperation of our …
Wall Street Bailout Bails Out Stalled Biodiesel, Solar & Wind Credits
The U.S. House of Representatives has reversed direction from just a week ago and approved 263-171 the Senate’s version of the $700 billion bill to fix the nation’s financial crisis. And this story from Reuters says incentives for biodiesel, wind and solar are also the big benefactors from the vote: Legislation to extend the renewable energy tax credits, which were …
Miami Biodiesel Plant Seen as Alternative to ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’
As some folks call for more offshore drilling of non-renewable petroleum, a place known for its beautiful beaches is looking to biodiesel as an alternative to drilling platforms breaking up that breath-taking views. This story from Miami Today says Biomix Energy Corp. wants to build a biodiesel plant on the Miami River: The first phase of the project, expected to …
Camelina Biodiesel to Fuel Jets
The world’s leading producer of camelina… a non-food oilseed… is teaming up with the University of North Dakota to produce biodiesel jet fuel from the grain. Great Plains – The Camelina Company and the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at UND have agreed to allow the EERC to use Great Plains’ proprietary technology to produce advanced fuels: Great Plains …