NEC 2027

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 report states, “Congress must approve legislation that will allow for the efficient and timely review of wind projects on federal lands and in offshore coastal regions.” The first offshore wind project under federal consideration: Cape Wind, an offshore project that is set to be developed in Nantucket Sound and the winds are blowing furiously against approval for the project.

Photo Credit: lakewentworth via flickr

Interior Secretary Ken Salazer is set to make a historic decision on the project this month and to help make his decision, has reached out to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) to provide comments and recommendations that will factor into his decision. The ACHP has recommended that he not approve the project.

ACHP states, “The historic properties affected by the Project are significant, extensive, and closely interrelated. The Project will adversely affect 34 historic properties including 16 historic districts and 12 individually 2 significant historic properties on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Island, and six properties of religious and cultural significance to tribes, including Nantucket Sound itself. These districts and standing structures reflect the broad array of properties that represent the rich and unique architectural, social, and cultural history of Cape Cod and the Islands.”

They continue, “Adverse effects on historic properties will be direct and indirect, cannot be avoided, and cannot be satisfactorily mitigated.”

The ACHP findings are raising the debate about offshore wind energy to a fever pitch and putting the Obama administration between a rock and a hard place. Read More

Electricity, Energy, News, Opinion, Wind

Brazil Eliminates Tariff on Ethanol Imports

Cindy Zimmerman

In a bid to get the United States to eliminate tariffs on imported ethanol, the Brazilian government has announced it will reduce their tax on ethanol imports to zero from the current 20 percent through the end of next year. The Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) announced the temporary reduction Monday and it is expected to go into effect before the end of the week.

UNICAThe Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) called the action a major step forward in building a global biofuels marketplace. “UNICA believes that free trade is a two way street and Brazil, as the largest producer of cane ethanol and largest exporter of ethanol in the world, with 60% of the global market, will lead by example and eliminate barriers to renewable, clean fuels. We hope this move will encourage other countries around the world to develop open, free markets for clean, efficient renewable fuels such as ethanol,” said UNICA President & CEO Marcos Jank.

“The question now is whether the U.S., as the world’s number-one ethanol producer, will follow suit,” said UNICA’s Chief Representative for North America, Joel Valasco.

Not if the U.S. ethanol industry has anything to say about it. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) reaction to the announcement is that Brazil’s action “undermines its claims for wanting a global trade in ethanol. Vacillating regulations regarding Brazil’s trade policy as well its domestic consumption of ethanol make it impossible for foreign ethanol producers to even consider exporting product into Brazilian markets.” According to RFA, the U.S. tariff on imported ethanol “serves to protect American taxpayers from further subsidizing foreign ethanol industries already benefiting from generous government support in their own countries” and should be continued.

Growth Energy had a similar response to the action. “We would not support reducing the U.S. import tariff, despite whatever Brazil is temporarily doing, because Brazilian ethanol already enjoys generous subsidies from the Brazilian government and to provide them access to additional subsidies from the U.S. government makes no sense,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “If we want to import something from Brazil it should be the same resolve to become energy independent. Brazil wisely saw the importance of supporting and incentivizing their domestic ethanol industry and now they are energy exporters while the U.S. continues to rely heavily on foreign oil. The U.S. would do well to follow their example and promote American ethanol producers rather than giving tax breaks to foreign ethanol and increasing our dependence on foreign energy.”

Ethanol, Ethanol News, International, RFA

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 generation is highest,” Giffords said. “Making it more cost-effective for schools to install solar-generating systems will lessen our dependence on foreign oil and save money for cash-strapped schools.”

The Arizona Leadership Solar Bus Tour was hosted by Giffords along with the Arizona Economic Resource Organization, the University of Arizona and SCF Arizona. Giffords, who is a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, is one of the leading proponents of solar energy and has installed solar panels on her own home. Last year, she introduced the Solar Technology Roadmap Act which was approved by a bipartisan majority in the House last October.

“Tucson is rapidly becoming a national leader in solar-related businesses and in the installation of solar panels,” said Giffords. “The border area of southern Arizona is one of the best areas in the world for the generation of solar power, with more than 300 days of sunshine every year.”

The new Act would combine two solar development approaches: financing a solar installation project through tax exempt bonds and the ability to claim the investment tax credit – making solar energy more affordable. Ultimately the Solar Schools Act would enable schools to use the proceeds from tax-exempt bonds to enter into pre-paid contract for renewable energy.

News, Solar

BIO to Congress: Fund $25M for Cellulosic Production

Joanna Schroeder

Today, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) released a letter to House and Senate appropriators asking them to fund the Section 942 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 labeled as Production Incentives for Cellulosic Biofuels to the tune of $25 million for 2011. Known as a reverse auction program, BIO is encouraging this action as a way to assist pioneer cellulosic biofuels producers in the U.S. in an affordable manner.

“The reverse auction program rewards pioneering cellulosic biofuel producers who can provide the most cost effective product,” explained Brent Erickson, executive vice president for BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section. “This program, if closely coordinated with other federal programs, can stimulate the private investment needed to build large-scale biorefineries to meet the energy production and greenhouse gas reduction goals of the United States.”

BIO cites several Congressmen and Senators who have supported this request, in particular Representative Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) and Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Richard Lugar (R-Ind), Evan Bayh (D-Ind) and Edward Kaufman (D-Del.).

The official bio report, “U.S. Economic Impact of Advanced Biofuels Production,” yielded several key findings:

  • • Direct job creation from advanced biofuels production could reach 29,000 by 2012, rising to 94,000 by 2016 and 190,000 by 2022.
    • Investments in advanced biofuels processing plants alone would reach $3.2 billion in 2012, rising to $8.5 billion in 2016, and $12.2 billion by 2022.
    • Direct economic output from the advanced biofuels industry, including capital investment, research and development, technology royalties, processing operations, feedstock production and biofuels distribution, is estimated to rise to $5.5 billion in 2012, reaching $17.4 billion in 2016, and $37 billion by 2022.

“Advanced biofuels are a key to creating new jobs and revitalizing the U.S. economy. Development of the advanced biofuels industry could produce hundreds of thousands of new green jobs and contributing more than $140 billion in economic growth by 2030. Rapidly increasing U.S. production of advanced biofuels is also a sound way to significantly reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum and carbon emissions associated with climate change,” concluded Erickson.

You can download the full report here.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Research

Fortune Brainstorm Green Biofuels Session

Cindy Zimmerman

Three CEOs of companies working toward next-generation biofuels will take the stage at Fortune Magazine’s Brainstorm Green conference in California next week.

Joining the conversation on “Beyond Corn Ethanol?” will be Jeff Broin of POET, William Roe of Coskata and Jonathan Wolfson with Solazyme. Broin will also take part in another discussion on “Renewable Energy – Hype and Reality” with David Crane of NRG Energy; Bill Gross, Founder of eSolar and Idealab; Katrina Landis, BP Alternative Energy Division CEO; and Martha Wyrsch, President of Vestas Wind Systems.

Other topics at the conference include clean technology, the role of government in current and future energy issues, sustainability, electric cars, and more.

Registration and more information about the conference can be found here on-line.

conferences, Energy, Ethanol, POET

Algae Association Has Successful Workshop

John Davis

Got nice note from our friend, Tamra Fakhoorian with the National Algae Association’s Mid-South Chapter, who just recently completed a workshop in Huntsville, Alabama, entitled, “Algae: Mining Wastewater for Nutrients, Fuel, and Fertilizer.”

She tells us they had a good mix of attendees from all over the country who heard presentations from some of the nation’s leading experts on algae and its impact on the bioenergy field:

In addition, attendees learned of algae’s tremendous potential as a cost-effective bioremediation tool for wastewater streams, effecting a more stable and healthy ecosystem. Two such algae bioremediation systems were well represented by Mark Zivojnovich’s presentation on HydroMentia’s Algal Turf Scrubber and Lucas McConnell of Renewergy unveiling his company’s vertical algae system for nutrient recovery. Open pond scenarios for wastewater nutrient mining were described by Dr. Kimberly Jones of Alganomics and Dr. Aron Stubbins of Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium.

“Our goals for this workshop were to first raise awareness of the algae/wastewater connection for a wide variety of valued end products and using algae for bioremediation. Next, we focused on the many sources of point and non-point sources of wastewater and discussed algal growth system applications. Third, we placed emphasis on why we must address our nation’s finite phosphate supply and how algae is perfectly equipped to reclaim it from wastewater streams,” said workshop coordinator, Tamra Fakhoorian.

Attendees had comments, such as “Great event! Each presenter complimented the other with valuable information. Great question and answer session at end of day to touch on subjects not mentioned by presenters.”

Tamra promises more events and workshops in the future. If you’re interested, just contact Tamra at TamraF.NAA@wk.net

algae, bioenergy

O’Hurley Part of Plan to Turn Hog Waste into Energy

John Davis

It might have been quite the load when J. Peterman said , “You may know it better as Myanmar, but it’ll always be Burma to me.” But now the man who played Elaine’s bombastic boss on Seinfeld is turning literal crap into energy.

John O’Hurley, who also is known for his hosting role on the TV game show Family Feud and on Dancing with the Stars, will now be part of an company that turns hog manure into power. This article from Biomass Magazine says O’Hurley and his new company Energy-Inc. have inked a deal to put in a system at High Ridge Farm in Greenville, N.C., that will turn the waste from the farm’s 3,000 hogs and into electricity:

O’Hurley said his interest and convictions in renewable energy aren’t a surprise to those who know him, and described the company’s initiatives as the result of a two-year ramp up. “The technology hasn’t had a presence in this country, but it’s been used with quite a bit of success for the last 10 years or so in Europe and Asia because fuel prices, historically, have made it a comfortable environment,” he said.

Now that the technology has been improved since its migration to the U.S., it has evolved into an efficient mechanism to produce large amounts of energy from waste, O’Hurley said, adding that much higher fuel prices in the U.S. and a more technologically and government-friendly climate for clean technologies influenced the decision to introduce the “Advanced Thermal Conversion Technology” in this country.

Nevada-based Energy-Inc. has an exclusive license to distribute the ATCT system, which O’Hurley said involves two main platforms. “One, we take any waste that has a Btu value such as manure, municipal solid waste, agriculture waste, wood waste—anything not nuclear or metal—and produce electricity with near zero emissions through a pyrolytic gasification technology,” O’Hurley said. “We super heat the waste without the presence of oxygen to generate a synthesis gas; the gas turns a generator if necessary or can used as a replacement for natural gas. It’s an entirely closed system and produces steam, heat, hot water and residual biochar.”

The system is expected to process 12 tons of biomass a day and should be complete and operational within six months.

bioenergy, biomass

KC Electric Truck Maker Gets $22 Mil Federal Grant

John Davis

The maker of electric trucks that can run all day on a single charge is getting some help to expand its Kansas City assembly facility.

The Kansas City Star reports that the $22 million federal Department of Energy grant to Smith Electric Vehicles is in addition to $10 million the DOE gave the company last August:

Kevin Kelly, chief financial officer for Smith Electric, said the Kansas City facility has 50 employees assembling two trucks a week. By the end of the year, it hopes to be assembling 25 trucks a week and to have more than 100 employees, including workers in research and development.

“We remain confident how deep the market is in this area.”

The money will help pay for vehicle development and establish a demonstration program to show how the trucks perform in different applications. Customers will be able to get subsidies to participate in the demonstration program.

Some of Smith’s customers include Frito-Lay, Staples and Kansas City Power & Light.

Electric Vehicles

Process Optimization Seminar Success

Cindy Zimmerman

Nearly 60 ethanol plant managers attended the second Process Optimization Seminar held in Indianapolis this week. The interactive seminar is a team effort of Fremont Industries, Fermentis, Novozymes and Phibro Ethanol Performance Group.

“All four of us companies got together and realized a need to provide training for plants,” said Steve Rust with Fremont. “So we decided to provide this for them where each of us share our expertise on how we can help plants optimize their process.”

Their first seminar was held last year in Minneapolis and Rust says they will be having another one later this year in Kansas City. “We try to move them around the country,” Rust says. Because the seminars are very interactive, the number of participants is limited to about 60. The seminar is targeted at all levels of ethanol plant management, including operations, technical, lab and general managers.

The Kansas City seminar will be held September 1-2 and registration will be open on July 1.

Listen to my interview with Steve here:

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Lack of Biodiesel Tax Cut Cuts REG Iowa Workforce, REG Launches Facebook Page

John Davis

Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group has had to lay off 45 percent of its workforce in the company’s home state, due to the failure of Congress to renew the $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel tax credit.

REG is expected to meet with two key members of Congress, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), at REG facilities in each of the congressmen’s home states.

In addition, REG Chairman and CEO, Jeff Stroburg, sent U.S. House Ways & Mean Committee chairman Sander Levin a letter pleading his case for reinstatement of the incentive:

The reinstatement and retroactivity of the biodiesel tax credit is critical to putting these employees back to work.

The biodiesel tax credit is currently within the Extenders Package (H.R. 4213) which is part of the second jobs bill, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act. This bill was sent passed by the Senate March 10th and is currently awaiting action by the U.S. House of Representatives Ways & Means committee.

We know the countless issues you face each day each deserve your attention and I know you work tirelessly to address each one; however, ours is becoming increasingly critical for our survival.

The earliest Congress can take up the issue would be the week of April 12th, when it returns from spring break. Meanwhile, those REG biodiesel workers … and approximately 23,000 others across the country … are on a break from drawing a paycheck.

Meanwhile, REG has started a Facebook fan page to urge Congress to reinstate the biodiesel tax credit:

Can we get 500 emails into the House Ways & Means Committee to aid the biodiesel industry? Tell our legislators to reinstate and make retroactive the biodiesel tax credit TODAY!

http://waysandmeans.house.gov/singlepages.aspx?NewsID=10470

Copy and paste the message below or write your own:

“Reinstatement of the federal blenders biodiesel tax credit is a national energy security and green collar jobs issues. It is urgent for the biodiesel industry that the biodiesel tax credit, within HR 4213, be passed and sent to the President’s desk for signature as soon as possible.”

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation