The U.S. Department of Agriculture has selected 10 projects for funding 10 to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers reduce energy consumption and implement renewable energy technologies. The funding will be made available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which was authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. “For the first time in 13 years, imported oil accounts …
Low Carbon Fuel Standard Could Double Gas Prices
A new study released today by the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) indicates that a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states could result in doubling gasoline prices and other negative economic impacts. The study, “Analysis of the Economic Impact of a Regional Low Carbon Fuel Standard on Northeast/Mid-Atlantic States,” estimates that an LCFS over ten years would …
Hydropower Favored in Africa, Latin America
Africa and Latin America are taking great leaps to hydropower according to a new report by GBI Research. Today, hydropower leads the renewable category for the generation of power and is expected to remain in the lead globally despite investments in other renewable resources. Around the world, hydropower has large support in the form of financial policies and incentives. This …
Cool Planet BioFuels Has Breakthrough in Production
Cool Planet BioFuels has made a major breakthrough in converting biomass to gasoline. Using giant miscanthus, an advanced bioenergy crop, the company achieved 4,000 gallons/acre biomass to gasoline conversion in pilot testing. Gasoline has about one and a half times the energy of ethanol, so this is about twelve times more yield than current corn ethanol production levels. According to …
Views from the Political Right and Left at NEC
Positioned on opposite sides of the stage to their political leanings, two former presidential advisors took on a range of questions related to the 2012 election year and important policy issues in front of 1200 attendees at the 17th annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC) last week. On the left, was senior advisor to President George W. Bush, Karl Rove, while …
Former Speaker of House on Energy Policy
The 59th Speaker of the House, who played an active role in the development of current energy policy, spoke about leadership and the importance of the nation’s energy security during an appearance at the GROWMARK, FS System “Gold Rush” event in East Peoria, Illinois to introduce re-formulated Dieselex Gold. Dennis Hastert, a native of Illinois, told the group that growing …
Company Developing Drop-In Fuel From Biomass
A New Jersey-based company is developing renewable drop-in gasoline from biomass. Primus Green Energy reports that the first sample of renewable drop-in gasoline has been produced through the company’s proprietary combination of biomass conversion technologies. The technique “transforms herbaceous and woody biomass, in conjunction with natural gas, into high-octane gasoline.” According to Primus, the gasoline produced from the technology is …
DOE Official Visits Novozymes Nebraska Plant
A visit to a Nebraska enzyme plant last week by a top-ranking Department of Energy helped showcase the development of enzyme technology for advanced biofuels. Department of Energy (DOE) Senior Advisor Peter Gage visited with Novozymes North American President Adam Monroe at the company’s new enzyme plant in Blair, Nebraska to emphasize the need for energy programs touted in the …
Energy Tax Breaks Wiki
A new wiki was launched recently to provide information about tax breaks for different sectors of the energy industry – from coal, oil and gas to wind, solar and biofuels. The Energy Tax Breaks Wiki is designed to gather the collective knowledge of lawyers, economists and tax professionals to provide a more accurate picture of all energy-related subsidies, according to …
USDA Invites Applications for Energy Projects
The USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance for ag producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. “Renewable energy development presents an enormous economic opportunity for rural America,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This funding will assist rural farmers, ranchers and business owners to build renewable energy projects, providing opportunities for …