Washington State Agency Approves Wind Energy Project… Again

John Davis

A proposed 65-turbine wind farm in Central Washington State has been given the green light for construction… again.

Kittitas Valley WindThe Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project got a recommendation from the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council for the goveror to OK the project in March. But Governor Christine Gregoire asked the council to consider the feelings of some neighbors in the area who are opposed to the idea. According to this article in the Bellingham (WA) Herald, the council approved the project once again:

The council recommended on Tuesday that the governor approve a modified permit, which could increase the distance between turbines and the homes of landowners who aren’t participating in the project.

The permit modification provides that the developer will give “highest priority” to increasing the distance of the turbines from landowners, even beyond a minimum setback of four times the turbines’ height.

The council retains final approval authority of the final turbine siting.

Gov. Gregoire has 60 days to approve or disapprove the project. The wind farm is being proposed by Horizon Wind Energy.

Wind

Vermont Gets First Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

The Green Mountain State has taken its first step to being a green fuel state as Vermont gets its first biodiesel mixing plant.

This story on the WPTZ-TV (Plattsburgh, NY) web site says it opened at the Robinson Oil Terminal at Essex Junction, Vermont:

The Robinson Oil Terminal makes biodiesel by mixing traditional home heating oil with vegetable oil.

The fuel will be sold to area oil companies.

Biofuel is more expensive than traditional fuel, anywhere from 4 to 15 a gallon.

Netaka White of the Biofuels Associations said consumers will understand that the offset to the environment is worth the extra cost.

“People understand the choice is there and we have to do something to make a difference and this is one way to do it,” White said.

Robinson Oil Terminal owner Fred Oeschger said he understands it may take time for consumers to come around to biofuel, but he believes it’s worth it.

“It’s new, but it’s needed,” Oeschger said. “We’re trying to work with the environment and keep Vermont green and this is a good start.”

The area will start slowly, using just a two percent blend. But promoters of the biofuel hope its a start in the right direction.

Biodiesel

Chesapeake Biodiesel Mega-plant to go to Commissioners’ Vote

John Davis

A proposed $532-million, 320-million-gallon biodiesel refinery… one of the world’s largest… is up for a vote before the Chesapeake, Virginia Planning Commission tonight to decide if the project will move forward.

But this story in the Virginian-Pilot says even if the commission approves the plan, there are issues over the developer securing the land:

Smiling Earth EnergyDeveloper Smiling Earth Energy LLC and landowner David Peck continue to have different takes on the status of the deal. Peck has said the company defaulted on its purchase agreement after missing two key payments and that the property, in the city’s South Norfolk section, is back on the market.

Smiling Earth Principal Clifford M. Cowles said Tuesday everything is going smoothly and that the firm expects to close on the land later this month.

The differences will not interfere with tonight’s advisory vote, city planners said. Next, the matter would go to the Chesapeake City Council, which could make a final decision next month.

An ethanol plant planned just across the river from this biodiesel plant ran into a series of protests and problems that have put the brakes on the ethanol refinery. But the biodiesel plant seems to be only facing some fire safety rules.

Biodiesel

Congressman Peterson Explains Research Funding Decisions in House Farm Bill

Chuck Zimmerman

Congressman Collin PetersonThe Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee is Collin Peterson who represents Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District. He took the stage here today at the ACE Convention.

During his remarks he mentioned that the House farm bill had less money allocated for renewable fuels research than some wanted, including the USDA. I got to speak with him afterward and asked him about this very subject.

Peterson says that they didn’t want to overdo it and that he feels that there is adequate funding in his bill. One thing he says they want to make sure of is that there aren’t overlapping projects and he has a concern that if they had put more money in the bill for this type of research it would have been taken away by appropriators later. He says they can always address an increase in funding for research later if the need arises and that the public would be very supportive of it since he believes the topic of renewable fuels is one in which agriculture has the most support from the urban population.

I also asked him about the whole food vs. fuel issue. He thinks that has died down and as he put it was “ginned up” by people who had other interests.

You can listen to my interview with Congressman Peterson here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/ethanol/ace-07-peterson.mp3]

2007 ACE Convention Photo Album

ACE, Audio, Ethanol, News

Governor Pawlenty’s Vision For the Future

Chuck Zimmerman

Gov. Tim PawlentyMinnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty just finished speaking here at the ACE Convention.

He outlined his vision for the future of ethanol in his state. First he applauds ACE on its 20 years as an organization promoting ethanol started by farmers and producers who had courage and vision. He then talks about his plan to have all the gas sold in the state contain at least 20% ethanol by 2012. He wants MN to be the benchmark state for the rest of the country on the development, use and availability of ethanol.

Gov. Pawlenty also received the ACE President’s Award which was presented to him by ACE Board President Bob Scott who introduced him. You can listen to the complete speech given by Gov. Pawlenty here (21 min): [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/ethanol/ace-07-pawlenty-speech.mp3]

I was able to catch up to the Governor on his way out and asked him about his vision for ethanol in Minnesota. You can listen to my interview with him here (1 min): [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/ethanol/ace-07-pawlenty.mp3]

2007 ACE Convention Photo Album

ACE, Audio, Ethanol, News

MN Governor Tim Pawlenty On Stage

Chuck Zimmerman

Gov. Tim PawlentyRight now Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty is speaking here at the ACE Convention.

He’s got a packed house to talk to and they gave him a resounding applause as he came to the podium.

I’m recording the session and will have his remarks for you to listen to in a little while.

2007 ACE Convention Photo Album

Ethanol, News

ACE Trade Show

Chuck Zimmerman

EPIC BoothBreakfast was in the trade show here at the ACE convention.

Here’s the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (our sponsor) booth.

EPIC’s got Paul Dana replica toy cars available at their booth which you can get by leaving a donation for the Paul Dana Memorial Fund.

2007 ACE Convention Photo Album

ACE, EPIC, Ethanol, News

ACE Convention Underway

Chuck Zimmerman

Trade Show EntranceThe American Coalition for Ethanol convention got kicked off yesterday but I didn’t get in until late. I’m doing a little bit of catch up this morning from an event I was attending earlier this week. By this afternoon I should have some good audio for you since we’ll have an opening general session this afternoon featuring Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

If you’d like to see what’s going on there is a photo album online that you’re welcome to visit.

Ethanol, News

Joe Jobe On Video At Jay Leno’s Garage.com

Chuck Zimmerman

Jay Leno's Garage VideoHello from the American Coalition for Ethanol convention in St. Paul, MN. Before I get into some ethanol coverage though I’ve got a biodiesel story for you.

You might remember that I went out to Burbank earlier this year with Joe Jobe, National Biodiesel Board and Gene Hemphill, New Holland to visit Jay Leno’s Garage. While we were there Jay shot one of his website videos with Joe and they talked a lot about biodiesel. That video is now online for your viewing pleasure.

I think you’ll find that Jay is a very big fan of renewable fuels.

Biodiesel, Video

Ohio to Get First Ethanol Plants

John Davis

Ohio has been laying a big, fat goose egg when it came to ethanol production, but that could all change soon… in a big way.

The Buckeye State has been lagging behind many of its Midwestern neighbors in the number of ethanol plants, such as Indiana and Illinois with 10 plants each, producing 1.1 billion gallons of ethanol for the two states. And other big ethanol producers Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska boast more than a dozen plants each. But this story in the Cincinnati Post says things are going to swing the other way for the ethanol importer Ohio:

Up to five plants should begin producing the corn-based fuel next year, said Jamie Gentry, agribusiness liaison with the Ohio Department of Development.

“We should go from zero gallons produced to 394 million almost over night,” Gentry said.

Five plants are under construction in Allen, Coshocton, Darke, Fayette and Putnam counties. They are expected to create about 330 jobs. A sixth plant is under consideration in Harrison County.

GO-EthanolA potential big producer of Ohio ethanol is Greater Ohio Ethanol, LLC (see its proposed plant picture on the left), which received $85.5 million in state incentives to get going. It’s part of $450 million in government loans and state-backed incentives to get the industry off the ground in Ohio.

The ethanol plants are also getting some help from federal and state environmental regulators which eased some pollution limits while the refineries get started.

Ethanol, News