Missouri’s youngest governor has decided not to run for a second term, saying he has accomplished all the goals he had when he took office in 2005. Among those goals was a ten percent ethanol mandate for gasoline, which took effect this month. Blunt recently announced proposals for $2 million in tax incentives for retailers who install E-85 ethanol pumps …
SD Biodiesel Tax Break Moves Forward
A plan to cut state fuel taxes for biodiesel is moving forward in South Dakota’s legislature. This story from Forbes says the state Senate’s State Affairs Committee voted unanimously to move Governor Mike Rounds’ plan to the full Senate: The bill would cut the 22-cent-a-gallon tax on diesel to 20 cents for diesel fuel that contains at least a 5 …
Show Me Conflict
Too many political bedfellows are spoiling the chances of a Missouri ethanol plant getting some government financing incentives. Show Me Ethanol of Richmond, Missouri is scheduled to open this spring, backed by over 700 investors including a congressman’s wife, the governor’s brother and a state legislator. The plant was approved to receive a low-interest loan rate backed by the state, …
Florida Awards Biofuels Grants
Twelve grants totaling $25 million were awarded today by Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson as part of the state’s “Farm to Fuel” initiative. “We believe that awards such as these are critical in triggering the development of a renewable energy industry in Florida,” Bronson said. “With the backing of and an investment from the state, we’re …
Romney’s Stance on Renewables
It looks like former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will win the Michigan primary. So, as I have done for other candidates as they have won caucuses and primaries, I’m posting some of the winner’s thoughts on renewable energy. From the Romney campaign web site: Invest In Research. Dramatically increase federal spending on research, development, and demonstration projects that hold promise …
MO Governor Calls for Biodiesel Standard
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt wants a 5 percent biodiesel standard for his state. In his State of the State address before the Missouri House of Representatives, Blunt called on lawmakers to approve the standard: To further grow alternative fuel production, I support a B5 standard for biodiesel sold in our state. Biodiesel from soybeans has proven much more environmentally-friendly and …
Biomass Advisory Committee Members
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Secretary Chuck Conner and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel Bodman today announced the appointment of six new members and the reappointment of seven members to serve on its Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee for a term of three years. The Committee was established by the Biomass Research and Development Act …
FAPRI Analyzes Energy Bill
The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri has completed an analysis of the new energy bill, and the results seem to point to some pretty positive results from the legislation. FAPRI reports the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, signed into law by President Bush on December 19th, will have positive consequences for …
SF Mayor Highlights Green in Inaugural Address
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom highlighted green energy, including biodiesel, solar, and wind, in his inaugural address. Here’s an excerpt from that speech from the mayor’s web site: The most important step we can take is to make this city carbon neutral. And that is exactly what we are going to do. Today I am pledging to make city government …
WIREC 2008 Agenda Set
The agenda has been set for the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, or WIREC 2008. Cabinet-level government officials from more than 70 countries will gather with industry leaders at the event to discuss the opportunities and challenges of a global, rapid deployment of renewable energy. WIREC 2008 is the third global ministerial-level conference on renewable energy, following events in Beijing …