The first presidential debate between Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama just wrapped up, and I have to say I was a little disappointed in how little renewable energy was part of the conversation. I know that it was a debate on foreign policy, but what could be bigger on our foreign policy than reducing our dependence …
Aviation Giants Look to Sustainable Biofuels
Some heavy hitters in the aviation industry are joining ranks to develop and to make more available sustainable biofuels. This story from Biomass Magazine says the Boeing Co. and UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, are at the heart of this effort: With support and advice from two environmental groups, the World Wildlife Fund and Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sustainable …
Ethanol Gets Mention During Debate
Just about half an hour into the presidential debate and ethanol has received its first mention, as Republican Sen. John McCain has declared that he would end current ethanol subsidies, if he’s elected president. Not exactly what the folks who produce and use the green fuel would like to hear. I was a bit surprised that Democratic Sen. Barack Obama …
Biodiesel Keeps Buses Rolling
While some motorists are fretting over the possibility of gas shortages… not to mention skyrocketing fuel prices, the folks who operate the school buses in Gaston County, North Carolina are sitting pretty with plenty of fuel at cheap prices… thanks to homemade biodiesel! This story from WSOC-TV says the Gaston County Bus Depot (as you might remember from my post …
U.S. Renewable Energy Grows By 5%
Renewable energy made up just more than 10 percent of all the domestically-produced energy in the U.S. in the first half of this year and about 7 percent of that energy used in the country. This story from the Greentech Media web site says the information comes from a U.S. Energy Information Administration report released this week: According to the …
Cross-Country Trip Proves Biodiesel’s Worth
It took them a little longer than they hoped, and it did involve one pit stop for fuel, but two ad men turned biodiesel advocates did finish a coast-to-coast run, entirely on biodiesel. This post from the Wired.com blog says Nik Bristow and Brian Pierce rolled into Los Angeles at just more than 38 1/2 hours after they left New …
Chrysler to Debut Electric Vehicles
Officials with Chrysler say they will debut models of electric cars in 2010. This story from CNN.com says the company is hoping to catch up with GM and… catch some of the buzz surrounding the new Chevy Volt: The company showed reporters three electric prototypes: a Dodge sports car, a Jeep Wrangler and a Chrysler minivan. Chrysler’s product development chief, …
County Looks to Biodiesel for Energy Independence
Officials in Snohomish County in Washington state are looking at making their own biodiesel for the future of energy for themselves… and they hope the rest of the country will look to them as the example of what energy independence could be. This story from the Seattle Times says the county has dedicated a new facility to store, dry and …
Biodiesel Tax Credit Part of Extension
The $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel tax credit set to expire on December 31, 2008 will be renewed for another year, if the U.S. Senate’s version of the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 gains final passage. It still faces a vote in the U.S. House and needs the President’s signature to become law. The bill has gained the praise …
Senate Approves Renewable Energy Credits
Things could be looking up for renewal of renewable energy incentives as the U.S. Senate has approved $17 billion in tax credits for wind, solar, geothermal and ocean energy systems. This article from cleantech.com says passage comes on the heels of last week’s similar vote by the U.S. House (see my Sept. 17th post): The tax credits, due to expire …