When it finally opens, Alliant Energy’s first owned-and-operated wind farm should be quite a sight to see as 41 turbines generate green power on 12-square-mile area of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. According to a company press release, it will produce enough energy to power at least 17,000 homes: “This is an important day for Alliant Energy and our customers …
Ford Offers First Full-Sized Clean Diesel Truck; Good for Biodiesel Use
Ford’s new Clean Diesel engine… the first time a clean diesel engine has been offered in a full-sized pickup… could be quite a catch for those wanting to be green but needing the power and size of a big truck. This story in Autospectator.com says the Ford-exclusive 6.4-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel is quieter, powerful and more capable, while meeting stringent …
Bay Area Buses to Test Biodiesel
Twenty-two buses from the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District in the San Francisco Bay area have begun running on biodiesel as a test of the viability of the green fuel. This story from CBS 5 web site says the Cleaner Fuels Test pilot program is checking the energy efficiency of 20 percent biodiesel: The six-month study was coordinated with the help …
Propane Powers Metro Cars
Michigan-based Metro Cars is converting the majority of it’s fleet to operate on propane fuel as part of its new Propane Initiative. The self-described leader of transportation in Michigan has also received an award for its propane conversion. Because of their innovative use of propane to fuel their vehicles, Metro Cars has received the prestigious 2007 PROPANE Exceptional Energy Fleet …
Kansas State Researchers to Study “Biofuels Revolution”
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded Kansas State University a three-year grant to study the impact of alternative fuels. K-State researchers are receiving nearly $700,000 to study the social, cultural and economic impacts of the “biofuels revolution” on rural communities in Kansas and Iowa. The $696,827 grant comes from the department’s Ethical, Legal and Societal Implications of Research on …
Wind, Biomass Fuel Michigan’s The Ark
A concert venue in Michigan is using various forms of renewable energy when it puts on a show. The Ark has partnered with DTE Energy and is operating on DTE’s GreenCurrents renewable energy program. November will be Green Energy month at The Ark. During November, all electricity used at the concert venue will be offset by renewable power provided under …
Conoco Officials Tout Need for Biofuels
There’s nothing like a New England town hall meeting, and officials from ConocoPhillips got an earful of Yankee questions from a group at a hotel in New Haven, Connecticut. The New Haven Independent reports about 100 people turned out to hear what the oil giant had to say and to quiz the officials about the future of energy in this …
Europeans Upset Over American Biodiesel Subisidies
The European Biodiesel Board (EBB) is threatening legal action against American biodiesel subsidies, which they claim as an unfair trade practice. Grainnet.com reports the Europeans are claiming the U.S.’s $1-a-gallon biodiesel mixture credit is artificially reducing the price of biodiesel sold in Europe by about 60-90 cents a gallon… compared to what European biodiesel goes for: The EBB’s press release …
Hydrogen Report Calls for 40% Growth in Next Five Years
A new report by the SRI Consulting says consumption of hydrogen will grow 40 percent in the next five years… thanks to environmental regulations and the inferiority of current sour feedstocks. This press release from SRIC says a big change that will need to take place during that time is the where we will get the hydrogen: Bala Suresh, Senior …
US Ethanol Introduces Biofuel Station in Washington State
The first USETHANOL Biofuel Station is will be running its pumps beginning next Monday, October 29, 2007. Consumers will be able to fill up with biofuels at the station in Longview, WA after the official opening at 11:00 am PDT. A Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held at the new Biofuel Station with executives of US …