Just as the European Union was extending for five years the temporary duties the EU has slapped on American biodiesel, you would think would be the time the U.S. Trade Representative would want to talk about the protectionist tariffs with his European counterpart. Nope. Ambassador Ron Kirk had bigger fish to fry when he met with European Union Trade Commissioner …
Congress Urged to Fund Wind Energy
Congress is being urged to make more money available for wind-energy research. This story from the Abilene Reporter News says that Andrew Swift, director of the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech, made the case for a federal proposal to pump $200 million a year into research and development for wind power: “I believe if research and …
Bill Promotes Use of Natural Gas in Vehicles
Legislation introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) could get more natural gas-powered vehicles on the road. This article from The Mainstreet Business Journal says the bill is a follow-up to Hatch’s measure a few years ago: “In 2005, as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, I was able to get the CLEAR Act …
Educating the EPA About Biodiesel
Some folks in Missouri are trying to educate the government (I know, I know) about the possible implications of a rule that could hurt the biodiesel industry. As many of you are aware, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering a rule change to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) that would basically leave soybean-based biodiesel out of the RFS… putting …
Renewables to Share in $141 Mil in Stimulus Bucks
Renewable energy projects in five states and a U.S. territory will share in $141 million in Recovery Act… aka the “stimulus”… funding. This U.S. Department of Energy press release says that Secretary Steven Chu made the announcement that includes energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Texas: Under DOE’s State …
Senate Ag to Hold Climate Bill Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee has scheduled a hearing for later this month on the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in Global Warming Legislation that is expected to discuss even more safeguards for farming and biofuels in the Senate’s version of a climate change bill. Senate Ag Committee Chair Tom Harkin told Energy & Environment News in an article published in …
Climate Bill Debate Begins in Senate
The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee began debate on the so-called climate bill Tuesday with testimony from four top members of the Obama administration – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson. Secretary Vilsack testified discussed the importance of engaging farmers and ranchers in crafting …
Rebate Program Encouraged Alt Fuels & Use
A recently exhausted rebate program in California is being credited with helping the state really increase its use of alternative fuels in vehicles. From its inception in February 2008 to its end this past April, the Fueling Alternatives program handed out $2.6 million to encourage consumers to buy alternative fuel vehicles. And this article from the San Diego (CA) Daily …
EPA Official Wrong on Ethanol and Biodiesel Yields
A YouTube video of EPA official Margo Oge testifying before a House panel in May reveals her providing radically incorrect information about the amount of corn and soybeans it takes to make biofuels. The blunder occurred when Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) asked Ms. Oge, who is responsible for regulating all emissions within the United States, about the indirect land use …
Obama Comments on Ethanol During Rural Tour Kickoff
The Obama administration embarked on a National Rural Tour this week that will include discussions about green jobs, a new energy economy, climate change and renewable energies. During an interview for the National Association of Farm Broadcasting with Michelle Rook of WNAX, Yankton, SD, Obama was asked about the role renewable fuels will play in the future for rural America. …