Chrysler Fuel Cell Technology in California

John Davis

Chrysler LLC has joined the California Fuel Cell Partnership, becoming the 34th member of the organization. Chrysler says the CaFCP is valuable colloboration that encourages engineers to develop solutions for hydrogen technology at an accelerated rate. “We are pleased to welcome Chrysler as the California Fuel Cell Partnership’s ninth automotive member,” said Catherine Dunwoody, CaFCP’s executive director. “We’re looking forward …

Car Makers, Energy, Government, Hydrogen, Promotion

Win 30,000 Euro for Energy Efficiency

John Davis

The Germany Energy Agency wants to promote energy efficiency around the world, so it´s sponoring an international competition for the Energy Efficiency Award 2008. The award, in its second year, recognizes outstanding projects to increase energy efficiency in trade and industry. A total of 30,000 euros in prizes is available. The international competition is particularly aimed at small and medium-sized …

Energy, Government, International

Energy Bill Passes with Expanded RFS

John Davis

The U.S. House has passed the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6) by a vote of 235 to 181. The measure expands the Renewable Fuel Standard by seven times to 36 billion gallons a year by 2022… with 21 billion gallons of ethanol coming from cellulosic feedstocks, such as wood scraps… and requiring that 500 million gallons of biodiesel …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News, Solar, Wind

RFS Supporters Rally

Cindy Zimmerman

Members of Congress and representatives from a variety of organizations held a media event Wednesday morning in support of an increased Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) in the Energy Bill. House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is in full support of the RFS. “The speaker understands that this is critical for this industry,” Peterson …

Energy, Ethanol, Government, News

FTC Reports on Ethanol Market Concentration

Cindy Zimmerman

A new report from the Federal Trade Commission says U.S. ethanol industry become more competitive in 2007. According to the report, “The ethanol production industry is not concentrated, and has become even more unconcentrated over the last year.” The FTC utilizes the Herfindahl-Hirschman Indices (HHIs) to determine concentration. As outlined by the FTC and the Justice Department, HHIs with values …

Ethanol, Government, News, RFA

Ohio is Getting Windier

John Davis

Ohio is embracing wind energy. The Ohio Business Development Coalition says wind energy is a prominent option for meeting the needs of a growing renewable energy industry. The OBDC is a nonprofit organization that recruits opportunities for capital investment in the state and it says the development of wind power is one opportunity the state is poised to take on. …

Energy, Facilities, Government, Wind

Biden Calls for Energy’s “Apollo Project”

John Davis

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden (D-Delaware) has unveiled a five-year, $50 billion energy plan akin to the Apollo project that put men on the moon during a campaign stop in Iowa. This story in the Des Moines Register says Biden’s plan will use a combination of alternative energy production and conservation: “The innovative capacity of the United States of …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News

Biofuel Makers Want Changes to Farm Credit Rules

John Davis

Leaders in Iowa’s renewable energy field are asking Congressional leaders to change federal law so Farm Credit would be allowed to make loans to build ethanol and biodiesel plants that do not have a majority of farmer-stockholders as owners. This story in Wallaces Farmer says they’ve sent a letter to both of Iowa’s U.S. Senators, Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin, …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News

Candidates Vye for Iowa Biodiesel Vote

John Davis

Presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-New York) and John McCain (R-Arizona) made separate stops at two Renewable Energy Group biodiesel facilities during their campaigns in Iowa today. Clinton toured the 30-million gallon REG network biodiesel production facility in Newton, while McCain attended the ribbon-cutting of the new REG headquarters in Ames. The fact that two national candidates are pushing biodiesel …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News

Legislation Would Increase RFS Without Energy Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Concerns about a languishing energy bill in Congress are motivating Senators to take action that would increase the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) even without it. U.S. Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) have introduced legislation called the Renewable Fuels Strategy Act of 2007 that contains several provisions including a larger Renewable Fuels Standard of 36 billion gallons of …

ACE, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News