USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Program Successful

Joanna Schroeder

According to Jonathan Coppess, USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator, biomass producers, energy facilities and communities are benefiting from USDA’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). Through April 2, 2010, USDA has approved 4,605 agreements for the delivery of more than 4.18 million tons of biomass and paid eligible biomass owners $165,274,695 in matching payments under BCAP’s first phase. BCAP was established …

biofuels, biomass, Farming, News

Rep. Giffords Releases Solar Energy Report

Joanna Schroeder

Today, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz) along with Environment Arizona, have released a solar energy report, “Building a Solar Future: Repowering America’s Homes, Businesses and Industry with Solar Energy,” detailing how solar energy can be used to power our homes, businesses, farms, and neighborhoods as well as how solar can play a role in energy security and pollution reduction. “This …

News, Research, Solar

EPA Certifies CleanFUEL’s Propane Engine System

Joanna Schroeder

It looks like the EPA has been busy approving propane fueled vehicles. Today, CleanFUEL USA has announced that the EPA has certified the industry’s first liquid propane engine built on a General Motors 6.0L chassis. Propane has been gaining momentum as a fuel of choice for fleet vehicles and CleanFUEL’s liquid propane injection systems (LPI) provides a high-performance, fuel efficient …

Fleet, News, Propane

EPA Approves ROUSH Propane Fueled Vans

Joanna Schroeder

ROUSH has just gotten word today that the EPA has approved their 2010 E-150, E-250, and E-350 propane fuel conversion system for meeting their Federal emission regulatory requirements. The propane fueled vans became available in December of 2009. Early last month, ROUSH received word that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) had approved the propane fuel conversion system for ROUSH’s …

Fleet, News, Propane

Opposition Mounts Against Cape Wind Project

Joanna Schroeder

Less than two weeks ago, Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri released the “Great Expectations” wind energy report as commissioned by the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition. The two governors met with Obama to share their findings, one of which is strong support for coastal, deep water and offshore wind energy technology, research and investment. The …

Electricity, Energy, News, Opinion, Wind

Solar for Schools Act Introduced

Joanna Schroeder

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz) has announced the introduction of legislation that would make it more affordable for schools to install solar power systems. The Solar Schools Act was announced during a day-long tour of Tuscon, Arizona that highlighted the state’s burgeoning solar industry. “School buildings are used most heavily during the day, during the same hours that solar energy …

News, Solar

Sugarcane Harvest Begins in Brazil

Joanna Schroeder

Brazil’s 2010/2011 harvest officially begins today, and it is predicted that there will be a 10 percent increase in sugarcane production this year, as compared to last year. This according to the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) who is estimating that the sugarcane harvest should reach 595.89 million tons, compared to 541.50 million tons last season. Final 2009/10 production numbers …

Ethanol, News

METRO Biofuels To Promote Bioheat

Joanna Schroeder

Heating oil is common on the East Coast and so many companies are looking for ways to replace heating oil with alternative sources. Today, METRO Biofuels, based in Brooklyn New York, announced that it is supporting a neighborhood coalition to promote cleaner air quality by using “bioheat” to heat buildings. METRO is the largest independent marketer of bioheat for the …

Biodiesel, bioenergy, News