The sudden skyrocketing of wind energy production, especially in areas of the Midwest and rural parts of Texas and California, is outdistancing the the capacity for the nation’s high-voltage lines to get that clean electricity into the nation’s cities. This story from USA Today says the problem could keep some projects from even getting started and states from meeting their …
House Approves $18 billion in Taxes on Big Oil to Help Renewables
The U.S House today approved $18 billion in new taxes on the oil companies that will fund incentives for renewable energy. Bloomberg.com reports that the vote comes as crude oil prices topped $100 a barrel and will send the bill to the Senate, where similar measures have faced stiff opposition in the past: The $18.1 billion measure, versions of which …
Central Florida Buses to Run on Own Biodiesel
Buses in Central Florida will soon be running on a blend of their own biodiesel… a first in the country for any bus fleet. According to this story in the Orlando Sentinel, a $2.5 million state grant is helping Lynx, Central Florida’s bus system, convert all 290 of its buses and four support vehicles to run on biodiesel in 2009: …
$2.5 Million Grant Goes to Florida Wind Project
Florida Power and Light has picked up a $2.5 million state grant to help build a major wind power plant. This story on TCPalm.com has more details: FPL wants to place six turbines on its own land at the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant and three on state owned land managed by the county at Blind Creek Park. The FPL Project, …
California Working on Biofuel Access
While California leads the nation in alternative fuel stations, pumps offering E85 ethanol and biodiesel are still extremely rare. In fact, this Los Angeles Times story posted on Checkbiotech.org says that out of the 835 alternative fuel stations, 379 offer electricity, 215 pump liquefied petroleum gas, and 174 dispense compressed natural gas… with just a handful offering biodiesel or E85. …
London Biofuels Conference Set
Government to Greenpeace will be taking part in the Biofuels Conference at the end of April in London, England. The one-day conference is scheduled for April 29th and is being billed as the “must attend” event of 2008: Moderated by Sarah Montague of Radio 4, this high quality debate will outline the challenges of biofuel production and highlight possible future …
Katrina Helps Big Easy Go Green
The City of New Orleans will be running the buses that replace the losses from Hurricane Katrina on biodiesel. The New Orleans CityBusiness reports that the new buses will arrive this spring: The first of 39 new RTA buses will be delivered in April, a $15-million step toward replenishing a 372-bus fleet Hurricane Katrina cut by 205 ruined buses. Each …
Alabama City Collecting Used Oil for Biodiesel
Gadsden, Alabama is getting into the swing of biodiesel… and it’s depending on the community to help fuel the green move. This story in the Gadsden Times says the city is handing out jugs to residents to get them to collect their used cooking grease so it can be turned into biodiesel: The city is a partner in the program …
Midwest Governors Pick New Leaders
The new leaders of the Midwest Governors Association (MGA) are committing their group to the advancement of the biofuels they see as the future for their region. South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds will serve as chair with Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm as vice-chair: Under its new leadership, the Midwestern Governors Association will focus on strengthening state and federal efforts …
Wind Industry Short of Workers
If you’re looking for a career change or you’re just joining the workforce, you might consider a job in the wind industry. This story in the Seattle Times says while the industry has taken off like a shot, installing 3,200 turbines last year alone… and that number expected to be repeated this year, the number of workers has not kept …