House Subcommittee RFS Hearing

Cindy Zimmerman June 26, 2013

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing Wednesday on the “Overview of the Renewable Fuel Standard: Government Perspectives.” The hearing featured testimony from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Adam Sieminksi with the EIA, made several points during his testimony regarding the RFS. “The RFS program is not projected to come close to achievement of the legislated target that calls for 36 billion gallons of renewable motor fuels use by 2022,” he noted first, adding that “Substantially increased use of biofuels can only occur if they can be used in forms other than the low percentage blends of ethanol and biodiesel that account for nearly all of their current use.”

Read Sieminski’s testimony – listen to opening statement here: Adam Sieminksi, EIA

Christopher Grundler, Director of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, noted that the agency has expanded the number of approved fuel pathways to help meet the RFS “including the recent finalization of a rule that includes certain renewable fuels from camelina, ethanol from energy cane, and renewable gasoline from various feedstocks” adding that they have also “proposed a rule that will expand the opportunity for use of additional new advanced biofuels, including cellulosic fuels from landfill biogas and advanced biobutanol from corn.”

Read Grundler’s testimony – listen to opening statement here: Christopher Grundler, EPA

USDA Chief Economist Dr. Joe Glauber focused his testimony on the impact of the RFS on agriculture. “Driven by a combination of favorable market forces and government biofuel policies, including the RFS, the increase has spurred corn production and corn use for ethanol and has been one of the factors in the recent grain price boom and overall improvements in farm balance sheets including record farm incomes over the past few years,” said Glauber. Noting that while livestock, dairy and poultry producers have “faced more uneven, and in some cases, declining returns” since 2005, Glauber said the ethanol co-product DDGS has increased as a livestock feed and USDA anticipates pressures on corn prices to continue to mitigate as more alternative feedstocks are used for biofuel production.

Read Glauber’s testimony – listen to opening statement here: Joe Glauber, USDA

advanced biofuels, Audio, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFS, USDA

Consumer Opinion Poll On Gas Prices

Joanna Schroeder June 26, 2013

Summer driving season is in full swing and with it comes grumbling over fluctuating gas prices. A new poll commissioned by Fuels America asked consumers their thoughts on gas prices and renewable fuels. The survey, conducted by Research Now, identifies specific budget items families give up when they are faced with high gas prices, and their attitudes around oil, renewable fuel and the impacts both have on the economy and environment.

Eighty percent polled think the nation (U.S.) should be using more renewable fuel and 73 percent support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that is helping this to happen. The poll also found that four of the top five things consumers give up when faced with high gas prices are social or family related activities. Other findings include:

55% said that if gas prices go up, they would likely take fewer road trips to visit friends and family
27% responded they would enjoy fewer meals out at restaurants
17% would cut back on clothes shopping
12% would spend less on gifts for birthdays and holidays.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents blamed the oil industry for high gas prices. In addition four in five said they want the nation to use more renewable fuel and three in four said they want more renewable fuel options at gas stations. “Oil companies will do anything to keep competition from cutting into their profits,” said Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Ethanol Council.

“That’s why they’ve launched an all-out assault on homegrown oil-alternatives like renewable fuel. Consumers aren’t being fooled, however. They know oil companies are to blame for high gas prices and demanding choices at the pump. The poll also looked at self-indentifying environmentalists and their opinion of these issues as well,” added Coleman.

Listen to the Fuels America gas price and renewable fuel poll conference call here: Consumer Opinion Poll on Gas Prices Read More

advanced biofuels, biofuels, Environment, Oil, RFS

CFS Releases New Biofuels Studies

Joanna Schroeder June 26, 2013

Several new studies have been released on biofuels and investment needs of small-scale farmers released by the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). Report no. 5: Biofuels and Food Security finds that world biofuel production increased five-fold in the decade between 2001-2011. As a result, the report attempts to identify the impacts that biofuel policies and the development of biofuel markets are having on food security.

The report studies several specific issues including:

To what degree does the sector divert crops from food to fuel?
How does biofuel production factor into high food prices?
Is the biofuel development model pro-poor?
What are the implications for land availability and use and what do they mean for rural communities and the environment?

Report no. 6: Investing in Smallholder Agriculture for Food Security looks at how to promote greater investment in small-scale agriculture. This study finds that “a vast majority of the hungry people in the world are, paradoxically, small farmers” and calls for a “new deal” for smallholder farmers. This type of farmer constitutes the majority of farm families in the world and make crucial contributions to household, national and global food security.

The report examines:

The diversity of smallholder agriculture in the world
The constraints to investments
What types of investments are needed at farm and broader levels

It also proposes the development of national strategies for investment in smallholder agriculture.

Agribusiness, biofuels, food and fuel

DIRECTV Expands Propane Fleet

Joanna Schroeder June 26, 2013

DIRECTV is expanding its propane autogas fleet. The company currently operates 77 ROUSH CleanTech Ford E-250 propane autogas vans and will increase that number over the next year. After comparing alternative fuel options, DIRECTV said they chose propane autogas due to its low cost and accessibility of fuel; vehicle return on investment; domestic nature of the fuel source and vehicle supply chain; and accessibility to high occupancy vehicle lanes.

“The addition of more propane autogas fueled vehicles to the DIRECTV fleet strengthens our commitment to reducing the company’s overall gasoline usage,” said Brandon Morris, director of Fleet Services for DIRECTV. “We have learned a lot from analyzing our current propane fleet, and the benefits we are seeing from using propane as an alternative to gasoline include the lower cost of propane, ease of implementation, distribution network, and the high quality conversion kit produced by ROUSH CleanTech.”

Since its propane autogas vehicle deployment in November 2011, DIRECTV has reduced gasoline consumption by 75,000 gallons and saved nearly 50 percent on a cost per gallon basis compared to gasoline.

“For over a year and a half, DIRECTV’s service vans fueled by reliable, cost-competitive propane autogas have met the company’s goals — to cut back on high-priced gasoline with the use of a domestic, cleaner fuel solution,” added Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “With DIRECTV’s plan to increase the size of its propane autogas fleet, they’ll experience even greater cost-savings with this alternative fuel technology and further strengthen their position as a leader in alternative fuel initiatives.”

Propane

Worried About Government Collecting Private Data

Talia Goes June 26, 2013

Before we get to our new Zimmpoll let’s look at the results of our latest one which asked the question, “How concerned are you about the government having your private data?” Our poll results read loud and clear this week. Over half of you are now more worried that the government sees private data.

Our poll results: Sixty-nine percent said More Worried, twenty-four percent said Not Concerned, four percent said Other and two percent said Less Worried. Many agriculturalists have converted to digital data systems in order to become more efficient. Knowing the government is actively collecting private data is causing concerns in all sectors of business and that includes farming.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Do you listen to satellite radio?” Satellite radio has become more and more popular over the years. Not only is it included in many new vehicles but you can even access it over your smartphone. So do you subscribe? Has it changed your listening habits? Will this affect “regular” farm radio? Let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by .

ZimmPoll

Groups Boo Obama’s Climate Plan

Joanna Schroeder June 26, 2013

Not everyone is happy with President Obama’s new Climate Change Action Plan. The plan did many things including showed support for more renewable energy such as biofuels; tighter regulations on power plants, mandates to increase vehicle mileage; and increased subsidies for solar and wind projects on federal lands.

Those not in favor say the plan calls for unnecessary restrictions and is economically punishing and will actually stifle job creation – not create more jobs. Jay Lehr, Ph.D., science director with the Heartland Institute, said, “With clear evidence that the planet has not warmed in the pas t 15 years while carbon dioxide has increased, we know reducing emissions of CO2 will have only one impact: to increase the cost of American energy. Obviously this is Mr. Obama’s intent, and while it will thrill his anti-capitalist environmental supporters, it will hopefully wake up the general public to the fact that he does not have their best interests at heart in creating more radical environmental regulations.”

Lehr’s colleague Craig D. Idso, Ph.D who is a senior fellow, environment and co-editor, Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change, adds, “In discussing the rationale for his climate change and energy plan, President Obama claims that carbon dioxide, or CO2, ‘causes climate change and threatens public health’ and that ‘cutting carbon pollution will help keep our air and water clean and protect our kids.’ Unfortunately, President Obama’s statements could not be further from the truth. Far from being a ‘pollutant,’ carbon dioxide is the elixir of life.”

Some groups say carrying out the climate plan will create a catastrophe including Emily Wismer, an analyst with the Independent Women’s Forum. Read More

Alternative energy, Climate Change, Environment, Renewable Energy

House Subcommittee Hearing on RFS Today

Cindy Zimmerman June 26, 2013

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power is holding a hearing today in Washington on “Overview of the Renewable Fuel Standard: Government Perspectives.” The hearing features testimony from the Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The hearing was scheduled to begin on 1:30 eastern time but has now been postponed until 2:30. It will be webcast live at http://energycommerce.house.gov and Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen will be live tweeting during the hearing with fact-checks, reaction to statements, and responses to questions put forth during the hearing. You can follow Bob at @EthanolBob.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA, RFS

College Teams to Race with SunPower

Joanna Schroeder June 26, 2013

Nine university teams will race in the 2013 Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) with solar vehicles powered by SunPower’s Maxeon solar cells. Various FSGP race events will be held from June 24 – 29, 2013 and are open and free to the public.

According to SunPower, the all-back contact solar cells collect and convert more sunlight into energy when compared to cells with contacts on the front. This all-back contact allows SunPower cells to generate maximum solar power when applied to limited surface areas found on some rooftops, as well as on the hoods of FSGP racecars.

“SunPower’s solar technology continues to be the choice for innovative projects that blaze new trails for renewable energy solutions,” said SunPower CEO Tom Werner. “SunPower cells fueling the Formula Sun Grand Prix cars, and the Solar Impulse airplane that recently journeyed above Texas, utilize the same solar technology that power residential rooftops, commercial applications and power plant installations around the globe.”

Of 12 university teams that registered to compete in this year’s FSGP, nine chose to build and race their solar vehicles with high efficiency SunPower Maxeon solar cells including: Illinois State University; Iowa State University; Missouri University of Science and Technology; Northwestern University; Oregon State University; Principia College; University of Texas at Austin; University of Waterloo; and Western Michigan University.

The FSGP is an annual, three-day race where university teams from around the world challenge their solar vehicles to successfully handle curves, braking and acceleration on a grand prix-style course. This year’s event will be held in Austin, Texas at the Circuit of The Americas™ on an official Formula 1® racetrack for the first time in FSGP history. The University of Texas at Austin Solar Vehicles Team from the Cockrell School of Engineering will act as local university host.

SunPower is an official sponsor and employees will be onsite to assist with race-day logistics.

automotive, Solar

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder June 26, 2013

Solar Energy International is training a workforce and enabling them to increase universal access to electricity through renewable energy development in Central America. La Academia de Profesionales Solares de las Américas (APSA) will train 50 people representing countries, communities, and organizations throughout Central America and Mexico to design, install, and maintain solar PV systems and to successfully launch and administer businesses in this critically important industry.
Intermountain Wind and Solar is offering a guide covering the benefits of wind and solar power in Utah and the impact they have on wallets and the environment.
National Fleet Hybrids has partnered with Lightening Hybrids to sell, install and distribute Lightning’s hydraulic hybrid retrofit systems. The partnership brings together two companies focused on providing fuel-efficient technologies to fleets of shuttle buses and other medium-duty vehicles.
U.S. Energy Initiatives Corporation has received a patent assignment of a proprietary biofuel patent entitled GREEN RECYCLED DERIVED BIOFUEL (RDBF). This patented fuel was designed for automotive, aviation and stationary electrical power applications.
To mark the 5^th Annual Global Wind Day, held on June 15 ^th, the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) launched the second annual Power of Wind Blog Contest with bursary prizes for students entering post-secondary education. Students from across Canada can submit a 300 word blog on the subject of Building a clean energy future. Students should use their creativity and write about how they are or can become part of a renewable energy future.

Bioenergy Bytes

Closer Look at EPA Biodiesel Winner

John Davis June 26, 2013

Recently we told you about how students at Loyola University had won the EPA’s P3 Award (People, Prosperity and the Planet) for their greener way, through a wetland and a distillation process, to treat and reuse byproducts of biodiesel. Our friend Ron Kotrba at Biodiesel Magazine looked a little deeper into what their innovation actually was:

I reached out to Zach Waikman, the biodiesel lab manager at Loyola, who provided some clarity to the project behind the P3 Award…

Loyola undergraduate and graduate students and faculty mentors will design, test, and implement an innovative, cost-effective sustainable system for treating contaminated wash-waters resulting from our student-led Biodiesel Program. This project is original in its approach to treating wastewater on-site with environmentally benign living technologies. It will be the first known attempt to use living machine technology to solve the biodiesel wastewater problem. Our technologies will be transferable and scalable.

Expected results: The primary long-term results of our P3 project will be a) designing and building an environmentally and economically sustainable biological waste-water treatment system capable of cleaning, detoxifying, and recycling 100 percent of the waste-water produced in the LUC Biodiesel Lab and b) disseminating the design and complementary materials to other sustainable biodiesel producers throughout the U.S. and the world in order to prevent unnecessary environmental pollution and increase economic solvency.

Some other things we’re able to find out from this article is that the concept of the machine is in line with an anaerobic digester, although they’re not using that biological process in their plans. The researchers believe there will lots of possibilities with the program.

Biodiesel, Government, Research

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