Colorado could soon be home to the world’s largest wind turbine factory. However, officials with the company building the facility is remaining tight-lipped about exactly where in Colorado it would be built. The Greeley (CO) Tribune reports Denmark-based Vesta Wind Systems won’t say whether it intends to build the plant with its current factory in Windsor: The near $250 million …
CA Veggie Oil Drivers Paying Road Tax, More
You know the old expression: “no good deed goes unpunished.” Well, drivers in California who are trying to do the right thing and run their vehicles on cleaner fuels are getting hit up for not paying taxes… and more. According to this story from the LA Times, those who are driving their vehicles using vegetable oil or used cooking grease …
Minnesota Passes 20% Biodiesel Mandate
The Minnesota Legislature has passed the largest biodiesel mandate in the country, sending the bill to Governor Tim Pawlenty for his signature. SF 3683 is an omnibus agricluture bill authored by Sen. Jim Vickerman, DFL-Tracy (pictured left) that uses language from original legislation introduced by Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, (pictured right). It moves the biodiesel standard up to 5 percent …
Forum Number 18 for CleanTech
The Cleantech Network is holding yet another forum to give experts in the energy industry a chance to learn the latest tools and technologies of the trade. The CleanTech Forum XVIII will be held in Washington D.C. September 15th -17th, 2008. Explore the best cleantech policies and corporate practices from around the world. Hear from prominent lawmakers on cleantech-related issues. …
Alternative Fuels and Vehicles in Vegas
We are just days away from the Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo in Vegas. The four-day event boasts 200 speakers and 2,000 registrants, which includes representatives from the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. Alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies will be featured in the largest industry event of its kind in the world. The 14th annual conference …
Solar Roof for French Farm
A farm in Alsace, France is installing one of the world’s largest building integrated PV solar systems. Suntech Power Holdings Co. and Hanau Energies SAS are developing the 4.5 MegaWatt BIPV. The project will include installation of weatherproof roofs on five agricultural warehouses using Suntech’s ‘Just Roof’ design. The ‘Just Roof’ system was initially released in 1994 and has already …
Biodiesel Reauthorization in Farm Bill
The National Biodiesel Board is applauding Congress for coming up with a compromise on the Farm Bill today that contains a provision that renews the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Bioenergy program. In this press release, the NBB calls the legislation key to reducing dependence on foreign oil: “The National Biodiesel Board thanks all the Senators and Congressional leaders who have …
Drake University Teaching Wind Law
As I mentioned in my previous post, wind energy is making some big gains in this country… so big that lawyers are getting involved. Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa has become just one of a handful of schools that is now teaching a course in wind energy law, according to this article in the Des Moines Register: Drake University …
Wind Energy on Record Pace
A new report out today says the U.S. wind industry is on pace to set a record for energy production this year. This story from the Wall Street Journal’s Marketwatch.com web site says the industry put in 1,400 megawatts of new generating capacity in the first quarter of this year ending March 21: If the pace continues, a total of …
Illinois Biodiesel Plant Hits Million Gallon Mark
A biodiesel plant in Seneca, Illinois has hit the one-million-gallon mark in just the first 25 days of operation. In a press release, Nova Biosource Fuels says this is just the start of the projected 60 million gallons annual production from the refinery of animal fats and vegetable oils into the green fuel: “We are pleased with the progress at …