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Commit to Increasing Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

As the World Future Energy Summit takes place in Abu Dhabi, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance called on policy development, business and technology sector leaders to commit to increasing biofuels’ share of the future global energy mix. The goal of the Summit is to advance future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies.

World Future Energy Summit Logo“The GRFA has demonstrated that increasing biofuels production and use in the future will lower GHG [greenhouse gases] emissions while positively contributing to our economy and reduce our reliance on crude oil,” said Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance.

According to the GRFA, biofuels will help shape the future of renewable energy because they are good for the global environment and economy. According to a report commissioned by the GRFA, the global biofuels industry contributed $277.3 billion and supported nearly 1.4 million jobs in all sectors of the global economy in 2010. It is estimated that 85.2 billion litres of ethanol were produced in 2012 which is estimated to have reduced GHG emissions by over 100 million tonnes, the equivalent of taking more than 20 million cars off the road.

Baker continued, “Because biofuel feedstocks can be developed anywhere in the world, biofuels are a significant opportunity for all nations, especially developing countries, to develop and be part of an industry that is making such a significant contribution to global economy.”Read More

advanced biofuels, feedstocks, International, Renewable Energy

Drought Tops List of 2012 Stories

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ” What do you think is top story of 2012?”

Our poll results: It looks like the majority of you at fifty-seven percent felt like “The Drought” was the top story for 2012. “No Farm Bill” came in at fourteen percent and ten percent said “USDA Meatless Monday Uproar”.

1.16.13

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Should we sit down with HSUS in “common cause”? Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s comments at the AFBF annual meeting this week about sitting down in common cause have attracted a number of comments here and on social networks. So we thought this week’s poll might produce some interesting feedback. Let us know what you think.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

New Holland, ZimmPoll

Vilsack Ties Farm Bill to Biofuels, Will Serve Again as Ag Secretary

John Davis

Vilsack 2013 afbfSecretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says the future success of biofuels in this country is also tied to successfully getting a new five-year farm bill passed. Speaking to delegates of the American Farm Bureau Federation at their annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn., Vilsack expressed his disappointment that a new farm bill was not passed … reserving some of his stronger language for maybe a smaller gathering. But he says the impacts of a new farm bill will be on more than just the mainstream renewable fuels, ethanol and biodiesel. It is for the overall bio-based economy.

“I’ve seen the ability to use corncobs and switch grass and algae and a wide variety of things that are grown and raised or could be produced in rural areas, converted into plastics, into chemicals, into fabrics, into fibers, into fuel, into energy. It is an unlimited future. But we require support and assistance and help and a commitment through a five-year bill,” Vilsack explained.

Vilsack reminded his audience who knows full well that rural America is providing the feed stock for most of the energy and most of the fuel that’s consumed and used across the country, while providing millions of jobs, many of those in the renewable energy sector. And he said that rural economy, booming with renewable energy, will attract young folks back to the heartland.

“If I were talking to a young person, I would say, you’re concerned about our overreliance on foreign oil, you can solve that problem in rural America.”

Growth_Energy_logo-1Vilsack also announced that he plans to serve another term as Secretary of Agriculture … a move applauded by Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy:

“Secretary Vilsack has been a tireless advocate for the renewable fuels industry, and I commend President Obama for his reappointment to the Department of Agriculture. I am confident that Secretary Vilsack will build upon his excellent service record supporting renewable fuels and economic growth across rural America. I know that during his tenure he will continue his strong advocacy for biofuels increased market access for higher ethanol blends such as E15.

You can listen to or download Sec. Vilsack’s speech here: Sec. Vilsack Speech

And his press conference after the closing session here: Sec. Vilsack Press Conference

Audio, biofuels, farm bill, Farm Bureau, Government, USDA

January 15 is Iowa Wind Day

Joanna Schroeder

WindTurbineinIowa Photo Joanna SchroederJanuary 15, 2013 is Iowa Wind Day at the Capitol, in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa Governor Terry Brandstad will be a featured speaker during the event and other speakers include Kathleen Law, the Iowa Wind Energy Association’s (IWEA) Board of Directors President, and Harold D. Prior, IWEA’s executive director.

The free event will feature more than 20 exhibitors representing many aspects of Iowa’s wind energy industry. Exhibits are open from 8 a.m. until 12 noon for legislators and renewable energy enthusiasts to learn more about the wide diversity of opportunity in the wind energy industry.

Iowa leads the nation in the number of wind manufacturers and wind related businesses and was the first state to exceed 20 percent of its electrical generation from wind. The state also leads the nation in the number of wind jobs and its ranked third nationally behind Texas and California in installed capacity. According to IWEA, Iowa is one of four states that would benefit the most from increased wind investment and has outstanding wind resources. Iowa’s central location, access to two navigable rivers and the U.S. Interstate Highway system are also distinct advantages leading to further growth of the wind energy industry in Iowa. Lastly, Iowa has many planned electrical transmission projects that will help move wind power (aka all power) to Iowans living throughout the state.

Alternative energy, Education, Electricity, Energy, Wind

Los Vientos I & II Wind Farms Completed in Texas

Joanna Schroeder

Los Vientos I & II wind farms have been completed in south Texas and now operational, have the capacity to produce 402 megawatts of wind power. Both projects are owned by Duke Energy Renewables and the project marks the company’s largest wind-power project to date. With the geographic location, approximately 120 miles south of Corpus Christi and 20 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, the two wind farms will generate the majority of their power during the day, when peak power demand is highest.

Los Vientos wind farm“2012 was a very significant year for us,” said Duke Energy Renewables President Greg Wolf. “With five new windpower projects and three new solar power projects commissioned into service, we added 800 megawatts of clean, emissions-free energy to our fleet last year alone. Now that Los Vientos I and II are on line, our total renewable power capacity grows to more than 1,700 MW, enough to power about half-million homes.”

All of the output and associated renewable energy credits from the 200 MW Los Vientos I Windpower Project in Willacy County are being sold to San Antonio-based CPS Energy under a 25-year agreement. In addition, Austin Energy is buying all of the output and associated renewable energy credits from the 202 MW Los Vientos II Windpower Project, sited in Willacy and Cameron Counties.

Duke Energy Renewables Vice President Milton Howard added, “We’re proud to be partnering with CPS Energy and Austin Energy to bring renewable energy to this region. And, we couldn’t have done it without the foresight of the leaders, landowners and people of Willacy County. Thanks to them, we were able to bring 600 jobs to the area during construction, and going forward, the Los Vientos projects will continue to boost economic development, support the local school districts, and be a source of dependable tax revenue for years to come.”

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Solar, Wind

Subsidies, Initiatives & New Efficiency Drive Profits

Joanna Schroeder

solarandwindAccording to a new report, companies that invest more money in the research and development more efficient means of producing renewable energy, the better able the company is to satisfy consumers and drive growth. Additional growth is, and can be continued, through government subsidies and initiatives. Recently, there has been an increase in investments in the renewable energy field, especially in solar and wind energy.  Companies such as First Solar and SolarCity prove that R&D drives both growth and greater profits.

Last week First Solar announced a partnership with Intermolecular to increase conversion efficiency. SolarCity has recently announced a 117 percent growth of the amount of energy the company installed in 2011 (72 MW). Early indications show that 2013 is expected to beat the company’s original projections.

The report concludes that if consumers continue to see the long-term benefits of renewable energy, green energy companies should expect to have a strong and stable position in the overall market. The report anticipates a strong macro trend towards companies focusing on renewable resources and “green” products. In addition, institutional funds are adding corporate responsibility, ethical investing and environmental concerns as priorities when screening for new investments. The report believes that this change in dynamic within the investment community will create a “mass exodus” of investment dollars from aggressive cost-cutting companies towards companies focused on ethical approaches to business, consumers and the environment.

Alternative energy, Renewable Energy, Solar, Wind

Appeals Court Denies Challenge to 15% Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit today denied petitions for rehearing in the case of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, et al. v. EPA, which challenges the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to allowing commercial sales of 15% ethanol (E15).

“Today’s order leaves in place an earlier decision by the Court denying challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to allow for E15 to enter the U.S. market,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis of the action, which he calls a “major victory for the renewable fuels industry and opens the door for further investment in new fueling technology to offer E15 to consumers.”

In January 2011, EPA approved E15 for use in cars and trucks made in 2001 or later. The Grocery Manufacturers and other groups, including the American Petroleum Institute (API), challenged the approval contending the E15 will cause harm to motor vehicle engines. The organizations also continue to challenge the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). During a media conference call today, officials with API called the RFS “unworkable” and said they would “like to see complete repeal” of the law.

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen refuted those comments in a statement calling the RFS “a proven success.”

“It is a highly flexible, effective, proven energy policy,” said Dinneen. “API knows this to be a fact which is why they are continually running to the courts and Congress to kill it. The RFS is stimulating investment in next generation ethanol which is coming to fruition before our eyes. The RFS is also driving the marketplace beyond ethanol’s use as an ‘additive’, which was a fundamental objective of the program. Higher ethanol blends, from E15 to E85, will be key to providing consumers the choice at the pump they want and the relief for the wallet they need. E15 and E85 are available right here, right now and Big Oil doesn’t like it.”

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, RFA

Third National Climate Assessment Released

Joanna Schroeder

Climate Change Photo Joanna SchroederA draft of the Third National Climate Assessment (NCA) has been released by the Climate Assessment Development Advisory Committee (NCADAC).  The committee says this is the most peer-reviewed analysis of climate change impacts on the United States. The assessment was written by 240 scientists and other experts from academia; local, state, and federal government; business; and the non‐profit sector. The public can review the draft and submit comments, and the final draft is expected to be released in early 2014.

Several key findings include new and stronger evidence that global climate is changing, extreme weather and climate events are increasing, and that the increase is related to human activities. In addition, the report finds:

  • Global climate is changing, and this is apparent across the US in a wide range of observations. The climate change of the past 50 years is due primarily to human activities, predominantly the burning of fossil fuels and is expected to accelerate if action is not taken.
  • Some extreme weather and climate events have increased in recent decades, and there is new and stronger evidence that many of these increases are related to human activities.
  • Impacts related to climate change are already evident in many sectors and are expected to become increasingly challenging across the nation throughout this century and beyond.
  • Climate change threatens human health and well-being in many ways, including impacts from increased extreme weather events, wildfire, decreased air quality, diseases transmitted by insects food and water and threats to mental health.Read More
Carbon, Environment, global warming

2013 Waste to Biofuels Market Analysis

Joanna Schroeder

According to a recent white paper from Renewable Waste Intelligence, there are two key issues facing the biofuels industry: consumers and vehicle manufacturers must be persuaded to adopt new, more environmentally friendly gasoline blends; and advanced biofuels manufacturers must demonstrate commercial capability and play catch-up to Environmental Protection Agency targets for production.

With feedstock prices high for several feedstocks, including corn for ethanol and soybeans for biodiesel, many producers are looking for alternative feedstocks, or to move into “advanced” biofuel production. An interesting phenomena is that as waste feedstocks are more readily adopted for biodiesel production, such as yellow grease, animal fats, waste oil, etc. are used, the feedstock prices increase.

Screen Shot 2013-01-09 at 11.18.44 PMThis is one reason, according to the white paper, that producers are looking to lower-cost feedstocks and a burgeoning market is waste. The white paper cites 2005 EPA estimates more than 246 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) was generated with 133 million tons sent to landfills, 79 million tons recylcled and 33.4 million tons used to generate energy. Of this, millions of tons that is ordinarily sent to landfills would make a suitable feedstock.

In many cases, local governments pay for waste to be shipped to a landfill, the average is $42 per ton. However, by citing a biofuels facility near municipal processing facilities, biofuel producers can benefit from undercutting these costs while achieving “negative” feedstock costs, according to the paper. Some analysts have noted that MSW prices could eventually increase, as happened with other waste feedstocks, technological barriers make it unlikely for this to happen any time over the next decade.

The quest for the best technologies and most affordable feedstocks will continue for many years. Many of these issues will be discussed during the 3rd Annual Municipal Solid Waste to Biofuels and Bioproducts Summit being held in Orlando, Florida February 20-21, 2013. Click here for more information and to register online.

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Waste-to-Energy

New Markets Tax Credits Spur Investment

Joanna Schroeder

There is a little secret in the renewable energy sector that many don’t know about – New Markets Tax Credits. These tax credits provide incentives for private investors to help fund projects that create jobs and diversify economics, and were extended for another year as part of the American Tax Relief Act.

CEI logoCongress first established the program in 2000 to stimulate investment and economic growth in low-income and under-served rural and urban communities that are often overlooked by conventional capital markets. Investors receive a seven-year, 39-percent federal tax credit as incentive to finance loans and investments in businesses and economic development projects in distressed communities. They are not restricted to energy projects.

According to CEO Charles Spies, CEI Capital Management is a national leader in awarding New Markets Tax Credits, having invested nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars in the last nine years. CEI Capital Management has its own triple bottom line investment criteria, where projects must benefit the local community, demonstrate economic gain and have a positive impact on the environment.

Last year, CEI Capital Management allocated $20.7 million in new markets tax credits to the $275 million Burgess BioPower Plant in rural Berlin, New Hampshire. Built on the site of a defunct paper mill, the plant will produce 75 megawatts of power from 759 thousand tons of sustainably grown wood annually. The project currently employs about 300 construction jobs and is on track to sustain 40 jobs in management and plant operations plus hundreds more in the woods associated with harvesting and transporting biomass.Read More

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, biomass