The food vs. fuel debate is still going strong with the chief executive officer of a major biofuel producer telling a technology summit not to blame his industry for the rise in food prices. This story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says that at the Technology Summit in Bellevue, WA today, Imperium Renewables Chief Executive John Plaza told attendees that there’s …
Brewing Green Beer in Paradise
No, I’m not talking about something for St. Patrick’s Day. A brewer in Hawaii is making beer using green methods… including using biodiesel in the process. This story from HawaiiMagazine.com says Maui Brewing Co. has been making up some internationally-recognized beers for several years: But since opening in 2005, Marrero has also worked to make his company one of Maui’s …
Report: Government Key to Green Investment
Investing in green technology is still a good investment… with a little help from the government. U.S. News and World Report says a new report by Laurence Alexander, Paul Clegg, and Michael McNamara at Jefferies & Co. says what is being done to be green, such as biofuels, wind, and solar technologies, is very good with demand remaining strong. But …
Auburn Helping Alabama Town’s Biodiesel Efforts
Auburn University, already helping Gadsden, Hoover, Montgomery, and Daphne, Alabama run their cities greener, is offering its help to another city wanting to reduce its dependency on oil. According to this story in the Andalusia (AL) Star News, the town is the latest project for the school’s Natural Resources Management and Development Institute. School representatives were recently in Andalusia to …
HS Team Brews Up Biodiesel Win
A team of high school students is one of the top finishers in a college-level energy competition for its biodiesel project. Merrimack New Hampshire High School’s Biodiesel Crew took second place in the prestigious Global Venture Challenge at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Knoxville, Tennessee. This story in the Merrimack Journal says the students were the only high schoolers …
Alternative Wine
Parducci Wine Cellars is harnessing all sorts of alternative energy to produce its wine. The carbon neutral vintner now uses solar power, wind power and biodiesel tractors. Parducci effectively transferred all of its energy needs to non-polluting, renewable sources by supplementing its on-site solar power with Green-E(R) certified wind energy purchased from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. The annual positive environmental …
Iowa Could Get First Algae-Biodiesel Plant
While Iowa might be best known for its large amount of corn and soybeans being turned into ethanol and biodiesel, the Hawkeye State might get into a feedstock more associated with the layer of scum that grows on its many farm ponds. According to this story in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the Iowa Power Fund board is looking into funding …
PA Officials Get Behind-the-Scenes Look at Lake Erie Biofuels
Local and state officials in Pennsylvania have received a first-hand, behind-the-scenes tour of the new Lake Erie Biofuels plant at the site of the former International Paper plant near Erie, PA. This story in the Erie (PA) Times-News says they were impressed with what they saw at the 45-million-gallon-a-year facility: “I must have read a million things about this place, …
SC Bills Fostering Renewable Energy
A trio of bills before the South Carolina legislature are designed to promote renewable energy in the state, as well as conservation by consumers. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell’s (R-Charleston) three bills were presented to a state Senate Finance Committee this week. This story from television station WFMY says the first bill dealt with tax breaks for making home …
Canada Turning Plastic Into Biodiesel
A project north of the border could turn waste plastic into biodiesel. This story from CanPlastics.com says Nova Scotia is investing $20 million in government money in the Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company’s expansion project for a biodiesel plastics processing plant for plastic waste. “We are committed to investing in innovative and resourceful companies that contribute to job growth, …