Many people know pennycress as nothing more than a weed, but some folks with the U.S. Department of Agriculture are looking at its potential to become a biodiesel feedstock. This article from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service says scientists at the ARS’ Peoria, Illinois office are trying to make the farmers’ pest into their cash crop: There, a team of …
Hemp Could Be Next Biofuel Feedstock
Farmers in the U.S could be growing hemp as a biomass crop, if a federal court rules in favor of two farmers trying to get a ban on the marijuana-related plant lifted. This story from Biomass Magazine says the new president could also have a hand in lifting that ban: The U.S. Appeals Court in St. Paul, Minn., heard arguments …
Dems Ready to Introduce Biofuels Bills
For the first time in 16 years, Democrats control the U.S. House, Senate and the White House. And for some of the Democratic leaders in the Senate, they see this as the best opportunity to get some of their pet biofuels legislation passed and signed. This story from CBS News says Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Environment …
Grants Boosting CT’s Biodiesel Industry
Seven Connecticut biodiesel distribution firms have received a total of $350,000 in grants. This press release from Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell says the money was handed out under the state’s Distribution Facilities Grant Program to companies that undertake projects to develop biodiesel distribution equipment and facilities: “Support for biodiesel production is not only an economic development issue but also …
Ag Secretary Slams Food Industry for Ethanol Attack
Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer spoke to the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit Wednesday in Florida and outlined all the advancements being made in biofuels and the potential for the industry in the future. “Nobody is talking about us going backward,” Schafer said, then quickly corrected himself, saying “almost nobody,” noting that the Grocery Manufacturers Association and some others would like to …
Bush: Biodiesel, Ethanol Important for Holiday Travel
Renewable energy sources are important to the U.S., especially during the upcoming period of holiday travel. President George W. Bush was at the U.S. Department of Transportation today, talking about how his administration will step up efforts to ease holiday travel woes this year. While at the DOT, Bush praised the good biodiesel and ethanol are doing for fuel supplies: …
California Ups Renewable Energy Ante
The Governator wants his state to get more of its energy from renewable sources. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued an executive order that ups his state’s renewable energy goal from 20 percent by 2010 to a full one-third by 2020. His press release has details: “I am proposing we set the most aggressive target in the nation for renewable …
Renewables Have Mixed Results at Polls
Renewable energy proposals had mixed results in yesterday’s elections, with Missouri easily passing one measure but California rejecting two others. This entry from the InformationWeek blog has details: In Missouri, Proposition C was passed, requiring investor-owned electric utilities “to generate or purchase electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower with the renewable energy sources equaling …