Reducing our dependence on foreign oil means looking at alternatives for all kinds of products that use oil as an ingredient – like tires, for example. Wood science researchers at Oregon State University have found that microcrystalline cellulose, which can be made easily from almost any type of plant fibers, could replace silica as a reinforcing filler in the manufacture …
National Clean Energy Summit 2.0 to be Streamed Live
The National Clean Energy Summit 2.0: Jobs and the New Economy is taking place in Las Vegas on August 10th. If you can’t participate in person, you’re not out of luck. The event will be streamed live via Clean Skies. The summit convenes top energy and environment newsmakers from across the country where they will be discussing ‘green’ jobs, energy …
Verenium and BP Launch Cellulosic Ethanol Venture
The joint cellulosic ethanol venture between BP and Verenium Corporation now has a name – Vercipia. The two companies announced that their 50-50 joint venture company will operate under the name Vercipia Biofuels, and corporate headquarters will be in Florida. Vercipia continues to focus on the development of one of the nation‟s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facilities, located in Highlands …
High School Biodiesel Team Gets Funds for Research
While we here about millions of dollars going to big renewable energy programs, it’s nice to hear about a few bucks going to some small, grassroots efforts. A high school biodiesel program from New Hampshire known for beating some colleges in energy competitions has received $5,000 from an anonymous donor. This story from the Nashua (NH) Telegraph says the Merrimack …
Senate Ag to Hold Climate Bill Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee has scheduled a hearing for later this month on the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in Global Warming Legislation that is expected to discuss even more safeguards for farming and biofuels in the Senate’s version of a climate change bill. Senate Ag Committee Chair Tom Harkin told Energy & Environment News in an article published in …
Food, Fuel and Future in Wisconsin
“Food—Fuel—Future” is the theme for this year’s Wisconsin Farm Technology Days coming up July 21-23, 2009, in Waterloo, Wisconsin. This year, the state’s largest agriculture exposition takes place at The Crave Brothers Farm in southern Dodge County. The Crave Brothers are living examples of the event theme of “Food—Fuel—Future.” Since 2002, they have increased milk production on their family farm, …
“Pure Energy” Radio Show to Debut
The first national radio show dedicated to the business of renewable energy will make its debut from the Miami studios of 880 The Biz (WZAB) on Monday, July 13, at 6:00 pm Eastern time. Pure Energy is hosted by noted energy expert Sean O’Hanlon, Executive Director of the American Biofuels Council (ABC). “We’re going to talk about all forms of …
Climate Bill Debate Begins in Senate
The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee began debate on the so-called climate bill Tuesday with testimony from four top members of the Obama administration – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson. Secretary Vilsack testified discussed the importance of engaging farmers and ranchers in crafting …
Canada Plans Advanced Energy Research Center
Enerkem, a leading waste-to-biofuels and green chemicals technology company, today announced that it will jointly form an advanced energy research center with the City of Edmonton and the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI). The research center will focus on the development and demonstration of novel catalytic conversion processes to produce advanced biofuels and green chemicals from non-hazardous industrial waste (generated …
Pickens and Propane
Billionaire oilman and energy activist T. Boone Pickens says propane is an important part of the “Pickens Plan”, citing propane’s environmentally friendly profile and ample production in the United States. Pickens made that announcement at a recent propane industry event in Washington with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). “America has the opportunity today to reduce its dependence on …