Oklahoma Moves Forward on Alt Fuel Bills

John Davis

A pair of bills that will give Oklahomans who choose alternative energy to heat and cool their homes and run their vehicles a break on their taxes continue their way through the state’s legislature. This story from The Daily Oklahoman says House Speaker Chris Benge’s bills are designed to lessen the dependence on foreign oil and could be applied nationally: …

Government, Legislation, Miscellaneous

Stimulus Includes Billions for Renewables

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable energy and biofuels are among the big winners in the $787 billion economic stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama today. “Because we know we can’t power America’s future on energy that’s controlled by foreign dictators, we are taking big steps down the road to energy independence, laying the groundwork for new green energy economies that can create countless …

Energy, Ethanol, Farming, Government, News

Support for Increasing Ethanol Blend Levels

Cindy Zimmerman

Increasing the approved level for ethanol that can be blended into gasoline is the number one priority for the ethanol industry this year, and recently support for that goal has been indicated by two major players in Congress and the administration. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said in a recent New York …

blends, Ethanol, Government

EPA to Introduce RINs System

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency is hosting a webinar next week on a new system for controlling renewable fuel credits known as RINs (renewable identification numbers). The webinar will lay out EPA concepts for the new RIN Moderated Transaction System (MTS) and solicit feedback from regulated industry. According to an EPA announcement, webinar participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, …

Energy, Government

Alt Fuels & Energy Savings Get $80 Billion from Stimulus Package

John Davis

Congress has passed the nearly $800 billion economic stimulus package, and alternative fuels and energy saving measures will get nearly $62 billion in spending and another $20 billion in tax credits and bond provisions from the measure that Pres. Obama has promised to sign on Monday. This article from ItsGettingHotinHere.org details how some of the money will be spent: Research, …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News, Solar, Wind

Stimulus Bill Has Money for Renewable Energy

John Davis

Renewable energy could get a share of the nearly $800 billion in the compromise version of the U.S. House and Senate’s economic stimulus bills. This story from CNNMoney has details: The provisions in the bill – a deal hammered out between House and Senate negotiators late Wednesday that still needs to be passed by both chambers – will primarily give …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Solar, Wind

Colorado Biodiesel Projects Get State Grants

John Davis

Two biodiesel projects have garnered $150,000 worth of state grants from the Colorado Agricultural Value Added Development Board… a branch of the state’s Department of Agriculture. Biodiesel Magazine reports the Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy… or ACRE… grants will actually help three facilities: In partnership with Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology …

Biodiesel, Government

Virginia Legislature Moves Biodiesel, Renewable Energy Measures

John Davis

Two bills aimed at helping the renewable energy business in Virginia have advanced in the State Legislature. This story from the Richmond Times-Dispatch says the measures are part of Gov. Timothy Kaine’s eco-friendly “Renew Virginia” and cleared the Virginia Senate: Senate Bill 1146, carried by Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington, would require the government to purchase diesel fuel for its …

Biodiesel, Government