The Senate fell one vote short in a procedural vote to move the Energy Bill passed by the House that includes tax increases for oil companies. The White House had threatened to veto the bill over that issue. Majority Leader Harry Reid now says they will eliminate the tax title to get a revised energy package approved later today. “We …
Pennsylvania Senate Passes Energy & Biodiesel Bills
Pennsylvania’s State Senate has passed several bills in the last couple of days that will help renewable energy efforts in the Keystone State. The Houston (TX) Chronicle reports a $650 million omnibus energy bill and two biodiesel measures received passage on the last day of business for Senate for the year: “This is a wonderful start and is a great …
Chrysler Fuel Cell Technology in California
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 …
Win 30,000 Euro for Energy Efficiency
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 Bill Passes with Expanded RFS
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 …
RFS Supporters Rally
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 …
FTC Reports on Ethanol Market Concentration
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 …
Ohio is Getting Windier
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. …
Biden Calls for Energy’s “Apollo Project”
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 …
Biofuel Makers Want Changes to Farm Credit Rules
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, …