The outgoing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture listed advancements in the renewable fuels industry among the accomplishments of the Bush administration over the past eight years.
Speaking to reporters this week, Secretary Ed Schafer noted that growth in ethanol and biodiesel production have helped create “remarkable prosperity and growth in the agriculture economy” during the Bush administration.
“Looking to the future, we know that economic growth in rural American and energy security for our nation as a whole will both depend on further development of renewable fuels and for biofuels to reach their full potential we must develop new biomass feedstocks and the business models that go with them,” Schafer said. “The new Farm Bill puts us on the right road by providing $1 billion to help fund this effort, but continued public support will be needed.”
Schafer is hoping that before he leaves office he will be able to check off one more item on his “to do” list – awarding a loan guarantee for the construction of a commercial cellulosic ethanol facility that would produce 100 million gallons a year from wood chips and waste. “We’re trying to get it out the door before we leave,” Schafer said. “This is a huge move forward to United States’ energy independence and increased economic activity in rural markets.”
Schafer believes that making that investment and getting a major cellulosic ethanol facility in operation will jump start the movement to second generation biofuels.
Less than two weeks after Air New Zealand took to the air in a flight powered by jatropha-based biodiesel, American carrier Continental Airlines has used a combination of the the weed and algae to fuel one of its 737s.
U.S. Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, a longtime friend of renewable and clean energy efforts, has announced he will not seek re-election in 2010.
The National Biodiesel Board is welcoming a new face to its great communications team.
Robinson has been involved in the communications industry for more than a decade, most recently serving as Press Secretary for Missouri Governor Matt Blunt when the state adopted a ten percent ethanol standard, and for the first time began fully funding biodiesel incentives. Robinson has worked in radio and television news stations in New Mexico, Missouri and Florida. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism.
In addition to Federal tax credits, Michigan fueling station owners can now receive 30 percent up to $20,000 to install E85 or biodiesel. Rep. Joel Sheltrown introduced House bill 5878’08 in March 2008, and it was signed into law on December 30 of last year.
Colorado-based 
Ames, Iowa-based biodiesel maker Renewable Energy Group Inc. and nutritional ingredient manufacturer Kemin Industries Inc. have finished a study and released the esults of a multi-feedstock biodiesel oxidation.
Eleven states in the Northeastern United States have agreed to a Low Carbon Fuel Standard, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and other energy uses. Biofuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol, are part of that plan.
The Stop In Food Store #67 at 1220 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville, Virginia is the 1,900th E85 station in the U.S.! The facility held its ribbon cutting ceremony just this week where Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (shown left) pumped the first tank of E85.
While it might have been a tough year for most investments on Wall Street, venture capital funding into alternative energies really took off in 2008, setting records.