Republicans Tell Military to Stop Buying Clean Energy

Joanna Schroeder

This week Republicans, led by Rep. Conaway, submitted a proposal that will prohibit the Defense Department from buying alternative fuels that cost more than traditional fuels. This has come at a time when the Defense Department is moving full speed ahead with the testing of renewable fuels in various military equipment including planes, boats, helicopters, and other military vehicles. The …

advanced biofuels, biofuels, Opinion, Solar, Wind

Book Review – Roosters of The Apocalypse

Joanna Schroeder

The second book in my  2012 La Nina Reading List was “Roosters of The Apocalypse,” by Rael Jean Isaac. This book could be a dictionary definition of “opposite” as compared to Climate Wars. Where Climate Wars is on the far right side of hysteria of the evils of climate change, Roosters of The Apocalypse is on the far left side of hysteria that …

book reviews, Environment, Opinion

Butamax and Gevo Need to Resolve Issues

Cindy Zimmerman

Yet another press release came out this week regarding the Butamax/Gevo legal battle over isobutanol technology patent infringement and frankly, we are sick of hearing about it. This spat started over 16 months and dozens of press releases ago. There is no question that patents are important, but the fact is that both of these companies are holding up critical …

advanced biofuels, isobutanol, Opinion

The Mohave Desert Soon to Produce Golden Power

Joanna Schroeder

Google has gone far beyond “web searches” and delved into projects that would save “Google” earth. The company has invested in several high profile projects, one being the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS). Once completed, this project is being hailed as the largest solar project in the world and will use the lastest solar technologies to capitalize on converting …

Electricity, Energy, Environment, Opinion, Solar

Green Scissors 2011 Released

Joanna Schroeder

Remember the Green Scissors report from last year that suggest to save money cut ethanol subsidies? Well, the latest version is now available. Green Scissors 2011 says that ending a half trillion in environmentally harmful subsidies will go a long way to solving our budget woes. The report, sponsored by Friends of the Earth, The Heartland Institute, Public Citizen, and …

biofuels, Energy, Environment, Opinion

Industry Urges Opposition to Anti-Ethanol Amendments

Joanna Schroeder

The renewable energy and agricultural industry today sent a letter to all Members of the House of Representatives urging them to vote no against amendments that would harm the growth of the ethanol industry. The coalition says moves such as prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency from implementing the E15 waiver would “weaken efforts to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign …

ACE, biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy, Legislation, Opinion, RFA

Ethanol Attacks in California Continue

Joanna Schroeder

Policymakers in California are once again attacking its ethanol industry. Led by California Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), she has plans in the works to limit incentives for production and use of biofuels that would cause taxes to be raised, an increase in use of foreign oil, reduce jobs, and increase pollution. According to the California Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (CEVC), Sen. …

algae, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Legislation, Opinion

Is Europe’s Biodiesel Industry in Jeopardy?

Joanna Schroeder

Europe’s $13 billion biodiesel industry could be in jeopardy according to an article published by Reuters that claims that the European Union (EU) plans to tackle unwanted side effects of biofuel production. The turn-about in support of biodiesel has been in part spurred by fear over climate change and several recent papers leaked from the European Commission that purport that …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Indirect Land Use, International, Opinion