Vote in the Green Choice Awards 2009

Joanna Schroeder

Earth Day 2009 may have come and gone but organizations doing great things for the environment happens all year long. The eco-friendly-7762232organization “Great Nonprofits” wants you to vote for their Green Choice Awards which honors local nonprofit environmental organizations that are doing great things in your neighborhood, community or the world.

The environmental organization (entrees must be for nonprofit associations) that receives the most positive reviews will not only win a Green Choice Award but will also receive national media coverage. People who submit reviews are eligible to win prizes including an autographed copy of Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman, a getaway to Joi De Vivre hotels, gift certificates to Whole Foods, coupons for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and much more.

So rev up your computer and warm up your fingers and start pecking away. Entrees are due by April 29, 2009.

Environment, Miscellaneous

Scientists to Talk Biofuels at Symposium

Cindy Zimmerman

biotech symposiumThe 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals is coming up May 3-6 in San Francisco, with more than 800 scientists expected to attend sessions on topics ranging from commercialization of biofuels and their long-term sustainability to emerging technologies and turning algae into fuel.

Government and private sector support for research, development and deployment of renewable fuels and chemicals technologies is at an all time high. This year’s Symposium provides a superb forum for experts from around the world to gather to discuss the latest research breakthroughs and results in this exciting and growing field. This year’s scientific program is designed to facilitate effective exchange of new information and technical progress among attendees from industrial, academic, and government sectors.

The meeting is organized by the Society for Industrial Microbiology, hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Biomass Program. More information is available here.

algae, Biodiesel, Biotech, conferences, Ethanol

NY Announces Lake Erie & Ontario Wind Projects

John Davis

offshore_wind_turbineGraceful wind turbines turning in the plentiful breezes off the Upstate New York shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario might soon become a reality.

This story from RenewableEnergyWorld.com says the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has announced a major public-private initiative to develop wind energy in that area:

To carry out the initiative known as the Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project, NYPA, with the support of wind power proponents including National Grid, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, state and local environmental organizations, wind power developers and the University of Buffalo, is gathering a wide range of environmental, economic development, technical, financial and other information to serve as the foundation for the possible installation of wind power projects by one or more private wind power developers, sized to a minimum of 120 megawatts.

The first step in the initiative was taken when NYPA issued the [Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI)] for environmental, economic development, technical, operational, socio-economic, financial and other information from the wind power industry. This information will assist NYPA in determining the feasibility of taking the next step of preparing a wind power development [Request for Proposals (RFP)] which, if issued, would be expected to result in high-quality proposals for the construction of wind generating projects.

No big surprise, the announcement was welcomed by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA):

“This is a great sign for offshore wind energy in the U.S.,” said Denise Bode, CEO of AWEA. “As we seek to dramatically expand wind energy, both on- and offshore, it is vital that we commit to long-term stable policies such as the Renewable Electricity Standard to allow the market to reach its full potential and enable businesses to build new factories and create new jobs.”

Wind

Hydrogen Honda Green Car of the Year

John Davis

hondaclarity2All you’ll see coming out of its tailpipe is clean water vapor. It’s no wonder that Honda’s hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity picked up World Green Car of the Year honors at the recent New York Auto Show.

This story from EcoGeek.org says it beat out 22 other competitors for the title:

The judges credited the FCX Clarity for advancing hydrogen fuel-cell technology to the closest it’s been to mainstream success yet, but also stated that governments need to do more to create infrastructure that will allow cars like the FCX Clarity to really take off.

The FCX Clarity is still only in limited release in California, but, as announced at the NY Auto Show, runner-up [Mitsubishi] iMiEV will definitely be released in the U.S. sometime “before 2012.”

To be in this competition, a vehicle had to either be in full production or as a prototype with limited release. Emissions, fuel efficiency and use of technology were all factors in deciding the winner.

Hydrogen

Biodiesel Fuels Conservation Through Exploration Tour

John Davis

It’s getting closer to that time of year when families across the country will pack up the kids, the dog and a couple of weeks of clothing and head out across the great expanse of America on a Griswold-family style summer vacation (Sorry folks, park’s closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya. — cracks me up every time!).

biodieselrv2But one man isn’t waiting until summer to get his adventure going. In fact, in the past year, Brian Brawdy has driven more than 60,000 miles in his biodiesel, wind and solar powered RV throughout the lower 48. This story from the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times says his journey is to prove that you can explore while you conserve:

Brawdy’s home on wheels consists of a 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4×4 topped off with a Lance 1181 Camper. The interior is straight up bachelor pad, with a TV, a few beers in the fridge and a disheveled bed.

This “mobile base camp,” as he calls it, let’s him travel North America’s highways and byways while spreading the word about environmental conservation.

Huh, you say? Gas-guzzling RVs aren’t exactly the poster child of the green movement.

Brawdy wants to show that it’s possible to RV in an environmentally sensitive way. He customized his rig with half a dozen rooftop solar panels that, along with a wind turbine, generate enough electricity to power his air conditioner, kitchen gadgets, computer and other equipment he uses to document his journey on his Web site, brianbrawdy.com…

He originally hoped to run the RV on used vegetable oil from restaurants, but Ford’s warranty on the truck’s engine said that was a no-no. So he settled on biodiesel fuel instead.

Brawdy says one of the biggest challenges of the trip has been finding clean-burning biodiesel to burn in his truck (maybe he could use the National Biodiesel Board’s Web site for where to buy the green fuel). But for the former cop, he’d probably find a way to turn the drive to a local gas station into another adventure. At least he won’t have to worry about leaving the dog tied to the bumper.

Biodiesel, Solar, Wind

Hereford Biofuels Sold As Part of Bankruptcy

Joanna Schroeder

One of the most notable ethanol plants in the country was sold today.  The Hereford ethanol plant, which is most noted for its planPANDA ETHANOL MULESHOE FACILITY to turn more than 1 billion pounds of manure into fuel for the boilers that supply steam for the plant, was sold to its creditors for $25 million in credit. Societe Generale, is the lender and the administrative agent for the lending syndicate, that was awarded the plant. The Hereford Biofuels plant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January of this year and was owned by Panda Ethanol.

The plant had been in production since mid-year 2006 and has yet to be completed although construction was in the late stages in December 2008. Several complications were cited by Panda contributing to the delays in finishing the facility including firing their contractor, Lurgi PSI, as well as funds that didn’t come to fruition by financial backers and lenders.

Bill Pentak, Panda spokesman, was quoted in Amarillo.com as saying that, “It’s theirs to decide what to do with. The court approved the sale, but we don’t know the closing date for the transaction.”

According to court documents, there are still issues to be revolved and it is unclear as to the future plans of the 100 million gallon ethanol facility. Although Panda Ethanol has not filed for bankruptcy and still has three subsidiary companies, its future is also unclear.

Ethanol, News

Ethanol Across America To Support National FFV Awareness Project

ethanol-across-americaThe Ethanol Across America education campaign has announced its support of the National Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) Awareness Project in cooperation with the FlexFuel Vehicle Club of America. The FlexFuel Vehicle Club was founded to build a national support base of FFV owners and other related stakeholders. The goal of the project is to accelerate and support existing consumer education efforts to increase ethanol demand through the sale of high level blends of ethanol to meet the nation’s renewable fuel standard.

ffv-club“Consumers are becoming more aware of the impact of their energy usage on the environment. Consumers have the choice to turn off a light, change a bulb, or even buy green energy (e.g., wind, solar, hydro) from their local utility. However, the vast majority of consumers still do not have the choice of what fuel to put in their cars unless they are one of the 7 million owners of FFVs. We are launching this national FFV awareness campaign so more consumers will begin to use their power of choice and purchase higher than 10% blends of ethanol,” said Burl Haigwood, President of the FlexFuel Vehicle Club.

By teaming with the Clean Fuels Foundation and the Ethanol Across America program, project coordinators say they will be able to reach a wide audience through announcements about the project on the Ethanol Across America’s Ethanol Minute radio show. The first phase of the FFV Club’s efforts will concentrate on reaching out to Governors and Energy Offices in states with biofuel programs and/or E85 stations. They have the opportunity to identify and contact the FFV owners in cooperation with their state department of motor vehicles and state inspection stations.

The FlexFuel Vehicle Club’s awareness program will try to decal all makes and models of FFVs. FFV decal branding will compliment similar efforts to brand fuel ethanol and E85 at the retail gasoline dispenser. The national FFV awareness project will focus on increasing the utilization of E85 after the retail station has opened. The program will expand the stakeholder community from just fuel providers to include the automobile dealership network and other community stakeholders (e.g., civic, faith, and environmental organizations) to increase FFV and E85 awareness to the public.

“True energy independence is about the freedom of consumer choice. FFVs, ethanol, E85 and the nation’s renewable fuel standard have put consumers back in the driver’s seat, and we plan to mobilize this American asset,” said Haigwood.

Miscellaneous

Bright Automotive Unveils The IDEA

Joanna Schroeder

1_voc_crop_090416b1In the race to develop and produce more efficient electric vehicles, Bright Automotive has launched a brand-new, 100-mpg plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) fleet vehicle –The IDEA. This is one of the first PHEVs designed “for the people by the people,” to compete in the light-duty truck market. The vehicle offers 180 cubic feet of interior space and a 1-ton payload capacity. Perfect, claims Bright, for commercial fleet use.

Beginning in 2012, the company plans to be produce 50,000 vehicles per year that will provide companies and government agencies, such as the post office, with a cost-saving, eco-friendly American made fleet vehicle. But maybe more interesting than its features and fuel-economy, is that Bright Automotive developed the IDEA in less than one year. It has taken some companies, such as GM, years to develop PHEVs such as the Chevy Volta, which has yet to begin full-scale production, and on average current hybrid vehicles have yet to achieve more than 60 mpg. It looks like the smaller auto companies, such as Tesla Motors and Bright Automotive are poised to own the PHEV market.

3388564188_4427beac121The company, based in Andersen, Indiana was formed in January 2008 as an offshoot of the Rocky Mountain Institute and haspartners that include Alcoa, Google.org, Johnson Controls and the Turner Foundation. Consumers got their first preview of The IDEA on April 8th and Washington lawmakers were able to drive around town on April 21st.  The worldwide unveiling of the IDEA will be in May at the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS24) in Norway.

So how does it work? It is unique in that on a full charge, the IDEA uses battery power for the first 30 miles, using little to no gasoline. Once the driver exceeds 30 miles, the car functions like other hybrids. When you factor in battery vs gas usage plus miles driven, say 50 miles, the car gets the equivalent of 100 mpg.

The IDEA should prove to both American consumers and Washington DC policy makers that PHEVs are a reality and will hopefully encourage American automakers to step up their research development and production of electric vehicles.

Car Makers, Electric Vehicles

New Study: Evaluating Options for GHG Mitigation

Joanna Schroeder

logo_corpThere is a lot of dialogue surrounding the best way to create energy and environmental policies, specifically around greenhouse gas emissions. The RAND Corporation recently released a study, “Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria,” that evaluates three past attempts to develop energy policy. The study notes that the majority of current policy focuses on cost-effectiveness but policy that relies on this criteria is unlikely to survive.

The paper identifies four normative criteria that can be applied to GHG-control systems and examines their implications for how packages of GHG policies might perform against these criteria. The criteria include: cost effectiveness, fairness of distributional inputs, incentives for innovation and adaptability of policy framework.

The authors offer lessons to be learned about the policies they reviewed and noted, “Well-crafted environmental policies need to address not only efficiency issues but also equity or distributive issues and appeal generally to the public and industry.”

Ultimately the paper finds that policies likely to have political viability and achieve environmental goals will:

• Include burden-sharing mechanisms that are transparent, means-tested, and limited in scope and duration when considering incentive-based greenhouse gas mitigation policy.

• Couple the mitigation policy with a strategic framework for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) to reduce long-term GHG emissions, including a clear role for public-sector financing from revenues generated by the mitigation policy.

• Limit irreversible commitments in order to maintain the ability to adapt to uncertain and changing future circumstances.

This is an informative policy paper especially for those lobbying on behalf of the renewable energy industry. Click here to download a free copy of the report, “Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria“.

Company Announcement, Energy, Environment, Legislation

10 Big Oil Front Groups to Watch

Joanna Schroeder

front_groups_badgeFront groups are as old as Big Oil. These are coalitions, committees, alliances and think tanks that are created by organizations that don’t disclose their support. They usually have misleading names, for example the Citizen’s Alliance for Responsible Energy (CARE), which is now defunct, and often consumers take them and their positions at face value, not understanding the group’s underlying goals or implications.

There are several common threads among the front groups that are supported by enemies of renewable energy (most often Big Oil) with the largest number of them publishing documents and supporting research that proves global warming doesn’t exist. This goal is achieved in many ways with the most prominent being the support of groups that promote “sound science”.  Another popular strategy is to fund think tanks to write papers that outline policies that are beneficial to the energy industry (oil, coal, natural gas).

Many of our readers have contacted me asking how to determine if an organization is a “front group”. In response, I did some research and following are 10 groups to watch outlined in a free issues brief, “10 Big Oil Front Groups to Watch”. This list is by no means exhaustive but encompasses organizations that are currently very active in the public debate about energy and environment.

1. The Heartland Institute
2. Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI)
3. Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT)
4. American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
5. CATO Institute
6. Center for North American Energy Security (CNAES)
7. American Council on Science and Health (ACSH)
8. George C. Marshall Institute
9. Food Before Fuel
10. Cooler Heads Coalition

Click here to download a copy of “10 Big Oil Front Groups to Watch“.

Opinion