For the first time in 16 years, Democrats control the U.S. House, Senate and the White House. And for some of the Democratic leaders in the Senate, they see this as the best opportunity to get some of their pet biofuels legislation passed and signed. This story from CBS News says Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Environment …
Renewables Have Mixed Results at Polls
Renewable energy proposals had mixed results in yesterday’s elections, with Missouri easily passing one measure but California rejecting two others. This entry from the InformationWeek blog has details: In Missouri, Proposition C was passed, requiring investor-owned electric utilities “to generate or purchase electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower with the renewable energy sources equaling …
Wall Street Bailout Bails Out Stalled Biodiesel, Solar & Wind Credits
The U.S. House of Representatives has reversed direction from just a week ago and approved 263-171 the Senate’s version of the $700 billion bill to fix the nation’s financial crisis. And this story from Reuters says incentives for biodiesel, wind and solar are also the big benefactors from the vote: Legislation to extend the renewable energy tax credits, which were …
Wind, Biodiesel Tax Credits Could Be in Trouble
As lawmakers wrestle over a bailout for Wall Street, some renewable energy producers on Main Street are wondering if they’ll at least get an extension of some valuable tax credits. This story from Agriculture Online quotes Senator Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, as saying that if Congress adjourns without passing a tax relief bill, it …
Senate Approves Renewable Energy Credits
Things could be looking up for renewal of renewable energy incentives as the U.S. Senate has approved $17 billion in tax credits for wind, solar, geothermal and ocean energy systems. This article from cleantech.com says passage comes on the heels of last week’s similar vote by the U.S. House (see my Sept. 17th post): The tax credits, due to expire …
Natural Gas Measure to Face California Voters
Besides the contest between Sens. McCain and Obama to see who will lead this country over the next four years, voters who go to the polls in California this November will decide if the state will fund some hefty rebates to people who buy cleaner-burning, natural gas-powered vehicles. This story from CNNMoney.com says the proposal could help put a million …
Biodiesel, Wind Lose in Tiff over Energy Policy
The fight between Democrats and Republicans in Washington, DC has hurt the biodiesel and wind energy programs in this country. The Des Moines (IA) Register reports that Congress, deadlocked and heading for its August break, failed to renew tax credits for wind power and biodiesel that are due to expire at the end of the year: Republicans have successfully blocked …
Mass. Gov Signs Ethanol, Biodiesel Measure
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has signed into law a measure that is hoped to make his state a leader in biofuels by exempting cellulosic biofuels (ethanol) from state taxes and creating a mandate for biodiesel in home heating oil. The Boston Globe was there when Patrick signed the bill: “It’s law,” he said, seated at a table at the Allston …
Organizations Support Ethanol Tariff
Seven commodity and ethanol organizations have written a letter to President Bush in support of the secondary tariff on imported ethanol. The groups called attention to the importance of the tariff for the nation’s growing ethanol industry, as well as to the nation’s energy, economic, and environmental security. The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Ethanol Producers and Consumers (EPAC), National …
PA Gov Signs Biodiesel & Ethanol Incentives, Mandate
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has signed into law measures that will provide incentives to biodiesel producers while mandating a rising scale of biodiesel percentages in all diesel sold in the state. This story from FoxBusiness.com has details: “Pennsylvanians are struggling with higher fuels costs,” said Governor Rendell, who signed House Bill 1202 and Special Session Senate Bill 22 into law …