Several families in San Diego county will have a brighter 2013 as a result of the 2012 Solar Holiday Drive led by Sullivan Solar Power. Five low-income families were selected to receive free solar panels for their homes. The solar drive was part of a partnership with GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit that installs solar energy on homes for families who …
DOE Awards Novozymes $2.5M
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Novozymes an award of up to $2.5 million to find new and more efficient enzymes for turning corn stover into fuel for cars and trucks. The specific project that was awarded funds by the DOE is called ‘SynTec,’ and is a two-year collaborative project between Novozymes and MBI. The companies will screen …
AAA Holds Fast to E15 Position
The American Automobile Association (AAA) has taken a position against the use of E15 for all motorists despite the fact that E15 is the most tested fuel in American history. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the use of E15 for cars and light duty trucks manufactured in 2001 or later. In addition, the EPA has put safeguards in place …
Farm Bill Extension Without Energy Funding is Job Killer
With the 112th Congress unable to come to terms and pass a new Farm Bill, the current bill was extended for nine months while the 113th Congress works to pass a 2013 Farm Bill. Although the bill is extended as part of the American Taxpayer Relief of 2012, it was extended without energy title funding that includes programs such as …
2013 & 2014 Outlook for Ethanol RINS
According to a policy brief authored by Bruce Babcock with the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), the U.S. ethanol industry will face lower profit margins in 2013 due to increased corn prices caused by the drought. With a saturated ethanol market, ethanol mandates that will be implemented in 2013 and 2014 can possibly be met only if ethanol …
Ethanol Industry Pleased With Tax Extensions
Very early this morning the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was passed that included several one-year biofuel tax extensions including the Cellulosic Producer Tax Credit. While the ethanol industry was pleased with the bill, they remain outspoken that the biofuel industry needs a long-term federal commitment – not just one year. Brooke Coleman, Executive Director of Advanced Ethanol Council …
A Look at 2012 on DomesticFuel
2012 was a challenging year for the renewable fuels industry. The biodiesel tax credit expired, the Renewable Fuels Standard was attacked, E15 continues to be attacked and there is yet to be a Farm Bill passed. With the fiscal cliff looming, many tax credits and incentives for wind, solar and advanced renewable fuels are set to expire. This uncertainty caused …
Biofuels – Bringing Sexy Back?
I was recently forwarded an opinion piece on how to promote biofuels and it struck a cord with me. In June 2011, I published an article in Industrial Biotechnology called “Back to basics: Redefining the biotechnology message.” In it, I said the current messages weren’t working – especially when tied to climate change where public opinion is slipping. The opinion …
Ontario Home to New Wind Farm
NextEra Energy Canada has completed its first wind farm in Ontario Canada – Conestogo Wind Energy Centre. The 22.9 megawatt wind project is located in Wellington County, Ontario, and comprised of 10 Siemens wind turbines. The wind farm has the capacity to generate enough energy to power around 5,700 homes per year. All of the power from the project is being …
Free Biodiesel Chemistry Kits for Teachers
The Indiana Soybean Alliance is offering high school teachers free Soy Biodiesel Chemistry Kits. The kits were developed by Purdue University researchers in partnership with education professionals with funding from ISA and the Indiana soybean checkoff organization. Indiana science teachers can receive the kit free as part of ISA’s program. The kit was first released in 2005 and is now …