Ethanol Industry Rep Appointed to California Panel

Cindy Zimmerman

At least one ethanol industry representative has been appointed to an expert work group attempting to assess the true carbon footprint of all fuel sources under the California’s proposed Low Carbon Fuel Standard. POET Senior Vice President of Science and Technology Mark Stowers has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is one of 30 experts from around …

Cellulosic, Energy, Environment, Ethanol, POET

You’re Ugly But “We” Love You Big Oil

Joanna Schroeder

My Week of Oil is coming to a close (but will never end) and California has made another interesting move. The California Energy Commission has a new Commissioner – Anthony Eggert. Two highlights of his career include his time serving as the Science and Technology Adviser to Mary Nichols at the California Air Resources Board. Prior to that, he did …

Energy, Opinion

Has Gas Use Peaked?

Joanna Schroeder

It appears as if two things peaked in 2007…our economy and our thirst for driving. According to an article in McClatchy Newspapers, U.S. gasoline consumption peaked in 2007 and has not only not recovered, but never will – even after the recession ends. According to Steve Everly, the author of the article, there are several reasons why. 1) Federally mandated …

biofuels, Commentary, Energy

Greenhouse Gas Services Acquires StormFisher

Joanna Schroeder

Virgina-based Greenhouse Gas Services, a company that invests in and develops projects that reduce greenhouse gases, announced today that it has acquired Toronto-based StormFisher Ltd. StormFisher operates projects in North America focusing on turning food or agricultural byproducts into natural gas and electricity. As part of the deal, StormFisher investor Denham Capital is now an investor in Greenhouse Gas Services …

biogas, Electricity, Energy, Utilities

Petra Solar Announces $40M Growth Financing

Joanna Schroeder

Solar energy is not just for roofs. Petra Solar, a company that specializes in pole mounted solar systems for utilities, announced that it has raised $40 million in funding to be used for expansion initiatives. Current investors in the company participated in this round including Element Partners, Blue Run Ventures, OnPoint Technologies (U.S. Army’s Venture Fund) and Kuwait’s National Technology …

Energy, Solar, Utilities

Going Green Can Save You Green

Joanna Schroeder

Last week, I wrote a story regarding President Obama’s executive order for the federal government to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 28 percent by 2020. One goal of this program is to get other companies to follow suit, but many companies don’t know where to start. Enter the Hondo Green Assessment Tool (HGAT). To learn more about how companies can …

Audio, Energy, Environment, global warming, transportation, water

Renewable Energy at Iowa Power Farming Show

Cindy Zimmerman

The mission of Harness Nature (HN) is to design, market, install, and service renewable, sustainable, alternative energy sources in the Midwest, which is why they were exhibiting at the Iowa Power Farming Show this week in Des Moines. “We’re a renewable energy company based out of Des Moines,” says Harness Nature Team member Randy Skeie, pictured here on the left …

Audio, Energy, Solar, Wind

Retech 2010 Kicks Off in DC

Joanna Schroeder

Retech 2010, the Renewable Energy Technology Conference and Exhibition, kicks off in Washington, DC tomorrow. The conference is co-produced by the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) and TradeFair Group. Nearly 300 exhibitors from all sectors of renewable energy are expected to participate. In addition to the exhibition, there is a Business Conference that will feature more than 250 speakers …

conferences, Energy

Obama to Slash Gov’t GHGs by 28%

Joanna Schroeder

For those of you who still have President Obama’s State of the Union speech in your mind, then you may remember his call for the government to slash greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). He has followed through. Less than a week after the pronouncement, Obama has issued an Executive Order 13514 on Federal Sustainability for the federal government to slash GHG …

Energy, Environment, Geothermal, global warming, politics, Solar, Wind

Obama’s Message: Hope, News Jobs & Clean Energy

Joanna Schroeder

The nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the country that leads the global clean economy and America must be that nation,” said President Obama tonight during his first State of the Union address. “I will not accept second place.” There were several major focuses of his speech including the support of small businesses, building a stronger financial …

biofuels, Energy, Environment, Government, Legislation, News, politics, RFA