The Department of Energy has awarded $10 million over five years for two university-led projects to advance the technological development of concentrating solar power (CSP). The award is part of two programs: SunShot Initiative, a federally funded program whose goal is to help solar energy become cost competitive with other energy sources by 2020; and the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative, which …
RFA Debuts New Open Road Ad
A new ethanol ad has debuted that focuses on the fact that ethanol is saving consumers at the pump. Following on the success of its long-running “Right Here, Right Now” ads, the Renewable Fuels Association is debuting a new ad which focuses on ethanol’s ability to lower gas prices at the pump and offer consumers relief in a difficult economy. …
Operation Free Campaign Supports Navy Biofuels
A new campaign by a nationwide coalition of military veterans is targeting members of Congress who are opposed to increasing the use of biofuels in the military. The Operation Free campaign has released a new television advertisement entitled “Trust,” featuring Marine Corps veteran Chris Marzoni who served in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the spot, Marzoni says …
RFA Reiterates Safety of Ethanol By Rail
While the fiery derailment and crash of a train carrying 90,000 gallons ethanol in Columbus, Ohio makes for some spectacular pictures and video, the folks at the Renewable Fuels Association point out that this is the exception and not the rule as 99.99 percent of all hazardous materials are delivered by rail without any issues: “Billions of gallons of ethanol …
New Ad Campaign Shows Biodiesel on the Fast Track
For years, the folks at the National Biodiesel Board have been emphasizing how their green fuel is on the fast track to more jobs and American energy independence. Now, in a new web and television campaign, they’re also talking about how biodiesel is also part of the literal fast track of vehicle land speed records. Check it out: The ad …
REG Execs Receive Entrepreneur of Year Award
Renewable Energy Group’s (REG) Chairman, Jeff Stroburg and President & CEO Daniel J. Oh, have been awarded the Entrepreneur of The Year Award in the Central Midwest by Earnst & Young. The winners were selected by an independent judging panel comprised of past award winners. The awards were given during a gala on June 5, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas …
New Tool for Energy Efficiency Education
For those looking to learn more about energy efficiency, a new educational site has launched: MyEnergyGateway.org. Hosted by the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) Foundation. The site was created to become a library of training programs, degrees and certifications that focus on energy efficiency, sustainability, green and alternative energy. In addition, visitors will also be able to research information …
Movie Review – Carbon Nation
I took a brief break from my 2012 La Nina Reading list to watch a documentary on climate change. Carbon Nation touts itself as a “climate change solutions movie that doesn’t even care if you believe in climate change.” Yet this movie does care about climate change. The narrator says, “We thought we had time to figure things out. Trouble …
Propane at the Pump
More and more fleets and private vehicles these days are being converted to run on propane, adding to the more than 15 million vehicles worldwide now running on autogas – about 200,000 in the U.S., according to Alliance AutoGas. Department of Energy statistics note that there are actually more LPG (liquified petroleum gas or propane) fueling stations in the United …
The State of the Ethanol Industry
Hello from the 2012 National Ethanol Conference. At approximately 8:10am eastern time we’ll be broadcasting live the State of the Industry Address from Bob Dinneen, President/CEO or the Renewable Fuels Association. Just click on the player below to start the broadcast in your browser. We will record the address and post the recorded version afterward. Post Update: Thanks to all …