The House Committee on Science and Technology Energy and Environment Subcommittee this week looked into the country’s readiness to meet the demands of alternative fuels. The subcommittee heard testimony relating to H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), pictured here on the floor of the House. According …
NBB Chief Likes Bush’s Speech
The head of the National Biodiesel Board liked what he heard from last week’s State of the Union speech. CEO Joe Jobe says he was pleased that alternative fuels… in particular, biodiesel… took such a prominent position in President Bush’s annual address to Congress. “Obviously, we were very excited to hear him lay out his 20 in 10 plan [reducing …
Consumers Can Help Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil
During the 2007 State of the Union address, President Bush made it very clear that ethanol has a vital role to play in our nation’s long term energy independence goals and public education will play a key role in the continued adoption of renewable fuels. This edition of “Fill Up, Feel Good” discusses what consumers can do to help the …
Groups Urge Congress to Fund Cellulosic Development
The American Farm Bureau Federation and several other ag and industry organization are urging Congress to include adequate funding for two programs that will move cellulosic ethanol closer to reality – the biorefinery grant program and the cellulosic loan guarantee. According to a release,The two programs were created under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The biorefinery grant program has …
Purdue Scientist Honored by President
A senior research scientist from Purdue University was among those honored to attend the President’s State of the Union address last week, thanks to her groundbreaking work in cellulosic ethanol. According to BoilerStation.com, Nancy Ho was asked to attend the event by the White House and sat near First Lady Laura Bush. “I will treasure this all my life,” Ho …
State Legislatures Across Country Taking Up Biodiesel
Interesting little thing I noticed over the weekend… a BUNCH of articles about a BUNCH of state legislatures taking up biodiesel measures. Last week, we told you about Missouri’s legislature taking up a biodiesel requirement. My news alerts have clued me in to similar measures in California, Arkansas, Washington state, and Wisconsin (just to cite a few). Of course, this …
Poll Shows Support for Government Involvement in Alternative Fuels
A new poll indicates that 85% of American voters think that the government should be involved in the development of alternative fuels. According to a release from the Renewable Fuels Association, the poll was conducted by The Winston Group prior to President Bush’s State of the Union speech. It also found that 84% of voters think that the government should …
Missouri Could Adopt Biodiesel Standard
On the heels of President Bush’s call for more alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, Missouri’s legislature is considering a five percent biodiesel standard at every gas station in the state. The State Senate Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Natural Resources Committee has heard testimony on a bill that would require all diesel sold in Missouri to have at least …
Administration Proposes Cellulosic Research Funding
The Bush administration wasted no time this week in translating the president’s State of the Union energy words into actions. “We will be proposing $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy, with a focus on cellulosic energy research and production as part of the administration’s 2007 Farm Bill proposals,” Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced Tuesday. “We’ve had great …
European Ethanol, Biodiesel Stocks Get Boost from Bush
It’s not just American alternative fuels seeing a boost from President Bush’s State of the Union speech last night when he pledged to reduce U.S. gasoline consumption by 20 percent in the next 10 years. Check out this story from Dow Jones posted on CattleNetwork.com: Michael McNamara, London-based senior equities analyst for Jefferies International, said European stocks are indirectly benefiting …