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University of Maryland Students Set to Build Biodigestor for Small Brazil Community, by Toby Dachman from the University of Maryland Environmental Science and Policy Program

University of Maryland students will have a unique opportunity to build an anaerobic digester for a small Brazilian community this winter. The Maryland chapter of Engineers Without Borders, a group dedicated to fostering sustainable development through engineering assistance, is coordinating the project. Every year the group sends students from various disciplines to different countries to assist with sustainable development projects. The program has a summer phase for feasibility assessment and a winter phase for implementation and construction.

This year the Brazil team is working on building a biodigester (anaerobic digester) for a small community in Bebedouro, Brazil. The community is plagued with sanitation issues. Currently, there is no system in place for proper removal of wastewater. Additionally, the impoverished community suffers from improper urban development. Engineers Without Borders seeks to ameliorate some of these problems by building an anaerobic digester in a local school for underprivileged students that wishes to expand its facilities and increase student housing.

The digester will convert human and animal waste into clean biogas and serve as an example to the community that affordable and easy waste-water solutions exist. The benefits of this digester will be threefold:  it will remove waste from cesspools and improve sanitation; the gas produced will be used as cooking fuel to reduce energy costs for the school and community; and the digester will produce high-quality fertilizer for farm use in the rural area.

Students at the university meet regularly to discuss assessment factors and the construction timeline; they are scheduled to begin implementation in January of 2008. The student participants are excited about the project. One participant stated that “it’s a really great opportunity to combine goodwill and new applications of engineering, I think projects like this are indicative of the future fusion of engineering and environmental goals.”

Source: http://www.eng.umd.edu/ewb/projects.html#bra

House Passes Energy Bill

On August 4, the House of Representatives passed legislation that will move the country toward renewable energy production. With votes 241-171 and 221-189, the Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 3221) and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 2776), respectively, were passed after partisan fights, hours of debate and a Presidential threat to veto the bills.

The Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act is a compilation of legislation from 10 different House committees. Included in the bill is a Renewable Electricity Standard (or a Renewable Portfolio Standard) which will require that electricity suppliers, other than governmental entities (municipals) and rural electric cooperatives, provide 15 percent of their electricity using renewable energy resources by the year 2020. Furthermore, the RPS allows electricity efficiency measures to satisfy 4 percent of the requirement. The bill also includes several provisions from the House passed Farm Bill, Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419). The energy package did not include a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Originally an amendment to expand the RFS was filed by Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) but later was withdrawn.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 2776) amends, extends and increases many renewable energy and renewable fuel tax credit provisions. Offsets for the renewable energy provisions come from the approximately $16 billion in tax breaks for oil and gas companies that are repealed in the bill. Several incentives were included in the bill to expand production of biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel.  The bill extends to 2010 and increases the 30 percent (or $30,000) alternative refueling property credit to 50 percent (or $50,000). The bill also creates a new 50 cent per gallon production tax credit for cellulosic fuel in addition to the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and extends for two years the tax credits for biodiesel.

The Senate passed their version of an Energy Bill in June. House and Senate leadership will now work to reach a compromise on several controversial provisions in the bills. Provisions of interest include the Renewable Portfolio Standard, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and provisions to change CAFÉ.

New Energy Programs in House Passed Farm Bill

July 27, the House of Representatives passed, with a of vote 231-191,The Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419).  The bill includes new investments in conservation, nutrition, specialty crops (fruit and vegetable) and energy production. Furthermore, the Committee also approved language that will allow full implementation of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for meat in the Farm Bill and also making additional changes to the farm subsidy program. The bill includes what the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) says is a “critical first step toward reform.”

The bill proceeded to the floor following the Committee’s unanimously approval after long nights of debate and compromise. Before the House could start debate on this bipartisan bill, the House Rules Committee allowed controversial provisions to be added to offset the increased funding for nutrition and energy programs. The House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Rep. Goodlatte (R-VA) then stated, “This is partisan politics in its rawest form and Agriculture Committee Republicans will stand against it [the bill],” – causing the bill to lose bipartisan support, which is uncommon for a Farm Bill.

Once on the House Floor, several amendments were introduced on commodity, nutrition, conservation and energy programs. One controversial amendment, called the Fairness in Farm and Food Policy amendment, was offered by Rep. Kind (D-WI). This amendment would have reformed the farmer safety net in several different ways while also providing increased funding for nutrition, conservation, and specialty crops; it was voted down 117-309. Several other amendments, including energy amendments, were rolled together and passed.

The bill includes several extensions to the 2002 Farm Bill Energy Title and many new energy and energy efficiency programs. Programs include loan guarantees for biorefineries, grants for internships in bioenergy, woody-biomass energy research and demonstration, a study on ethanol pipeline feasibility, and several other biomass and renewable energy related programs.

For more information on these bills see: http://thomas.loc.gov/

Programs in Energy Title: http://www.eesi.org/publications/Press%20Releases/2007/house_farm_bill_passage_072707.html

New Legislation

S.1389—Climate Change Education Act
May 14, Senators Obama (D-IL), Snowe (R-ME), Kerry (D-MA) and Bingaman (D-NM) introduced the Climate Change Education Act to authorize the National Science Foundation to establish a Climate Change Education Program. The Program would serve to broaden public understanding of climate change and the technologies that can help reduce human impacts on climate. The Program would include both a national information campaign and a grant program for states, localities, and organizations for education programming.

H.R. 2296—Future Fuels Act
May 14, Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) introduced the Future Fuels Act to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and enhance U.S. ability to produce alternative fuels. The bill focuses on reducing miles driven and increasing alternative fuel use. It provides an investment credit to eligible manufacturers for an advanced technology motor vehicle and creates a schedule for an increased percentage of alternative fueled automobiles or flexible fuel vehicles. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

S. 1403—Farm-to-Fuel Investment Act of 2007
May 14, Senators Klobuchar (D-MN), Harkin (D-IA), Conrad (D-ND), and Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Farm-to-Fuel Investment Act of 2007 to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and to provide incentives for the production of bioenergy crops. It instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to designate as bioenergy cropsheds areas that are physically located within an economically-practicable distance from an existing or planned biorefinery and to develop conservation projects for that area, as well as offer technical assistance to producers on a farm in that cropshed. Producers may then enter into contracts with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide bioenergy crop transition assistance to encourage the producers to produce bioenergy crops. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Senators Clinton (D-NY) and Dorgan (D-ND) are cosponsors of the bill.

H.R. 2337—Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007
May 16, Rep. Rahall (D-WV) introduced the Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007 to promote energy policy reforms and public accountability, alternative energy and efficiency, and carbon capture and climate change mitigation. The bill creates programs for enhancing energy transmission and carbon sequestration, protecting wildlife, and promoting green building. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science and Technology. Cosponsors of the bill include Reps. Baca (D-CA) Bordallo (D-GU), Christensen (D-VI), Grijalva (D-AZ) Hinchey (D-NY) Inslee (D-WA) and Napolitano (D-CA).

H.R. 2426—Ethanol Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2007
May 22, Reps. Boswell (D-IA), Moran (R-KS) and Salazar (D-CO) introduced the Ethanol Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2007 to increase the energy, economic, and environmental security of the United States. The bill would require the Secretary of Energy to award funds to study the feasibility of constructing dedicated ethanol pipelines, and to address technical factors that prevent transportation of ethanol in existing pipelines. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

H.R. 2428—Biofuels Research Initiative Act of 2007
May 22, Reps. Edwards (D-TX), Lampson (D-TX), and Costa (D-CA) introduced the Biofuels Research Initiative Act of 2007 to enhance the efficiency of bioenergy and biomass research and development programs through improved coordination and collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, and land-grant colleges and universities. It establishes regional consortiums of universities to study and address bioenergy issues pertaining to their area. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

H.R. 2437 – A bill to establish an Investment Advisory Committee
May 22, Reps. Israel (D-NY), Matheson (D-UT) and Shimkus (R-IL) introduced H.R 2437 to provide for the establishment of an energy efficiency and renewable energy finance and investment advisory committee. The committee must provide advice and recommendations to the Department of Energy on energy efficiency and renewable energy finance and investment issues, options, ideas, and trends, to assist the energy community in identifying practical ways of lowering costs and increasing investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

H. Con. Res. 153
May 22, Representatives Gilchrest (R-MD), Castle (R-DE), Gillmor (R-OH), McHugh (R-NY), Moran (D-VA), Bartlett (R-MD), Shays (R-CT), and Kirk (R-IL) introduced House Concurrent Resolution 153 expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the need for a nationwide diversified energy portfolio. The resolution expresses that Congress must invest in both technology and policy development for renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind power, biofuels, and hydroelectric power. The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

S. 1531—Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Incentives Act of 2007
May 25, Senators Reid (D-NV), Allard (R-CO), and Salazar (D-CO) introduced the Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Incentives Act of 2007 to provide an extension of the Production Tax Credit and the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREB) to 2018. The bill also provides several other new credits and extensions to existing tax credits for renewable technologies. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.

S.1554 – Energy Independence, Clean Air, and Climate Security Act of 2007
June 6, Senators Collins (R-ME) and Lieberman (I-CT) introduced the Energy Independence, Clean Air, and Climate Security Act of 2007 to comprehensively address challenges relating to energy independence, air pollution, and climate change facing the United States. The bill was referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.1567 – Creates a Renewable Portfolio Standard
June 6, Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced  a bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to provide a renewable portfolio standard that requires that 25 percent of the countries electricity be generated by renewable energy by 2025, and other purposes.

H.R.2619 – Creates a Grant Program for Ethanol Anti-idling Power Units
June 7, Reps. Johnson (R-IL), Shimkus (R-IL) and Roskam (R-IL) introduced a bill to direct the Secretary for Transportation to make a grant for the establishment and operation of an ethanol anti-idling power unit research program. The bill was sent to the Committee on Science and Technology.

H.R.2635 – Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007
June 7, Rep. Waxman (D-CA) introduced the Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007 to reduce the Federal Government's contribution to global warming through measures that promote efficiency in the Federal Government's management and operations, and for other purposes. This bill has passed out of all of the relevant committees and has been placed on the House calendar as of August 3. There are 14 cosponsors on this bill.

H.R. 2651 – Greenhouse Gas Accountability Act of 2007
June 11, Rep. Engel (D-NY) introduced a bill to require large publicly traded companies and significant emitters of greenhouse gases to report their emissions to the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes. The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R. 2651 – Generating Renewable Energy and Encouraging Novel Technologies Act of 2007
June 11, Rep. English (R-PA) introduced Generating Renewable Energy and Encouraging Novel Technologies Act of 2007, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to generate renewable energy and encourage novel technologies related to the production of energy. This bill provides an extension of the Production Tax Credit and the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREB) to 2018. The bill also provides several other new credits and extensions to existing tax credits for renewable technologies. It also extends through 2040 the tax credit for producing electricity from advanced nuclear power facilities and increases the amounts of such credit.

S.1600 – Creates an Energy Technologies Innovation Network
June 12, Senator Hagel (R-NE) introduced a bill to establish an energy technologies innovation network, and for other purposes. The bill requires the Secretary to conduct a survey every five years to establish the ten highest-priority, energy-related problems that need resolution as soon as possible. The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S.1601 – Energy Infrastructure Tax Reform and Incentives Act of 2007
June 12, Senator Hagel (R-NE) introduced the Energy Infrastructure Tax Reform and Incentives Act of 2007 to lower the effective tax rate on investment in necessary energy infrastructure and credits for renewable energy. The bill allows: for income and gains from certain electric transmission property be treated as qualifying income of a publicly traded partnership; allows accelerated depreciation of qualified energy management devices, cellulosic biomass ethanol plant property, coal-to-liquid plant property, and dedicated ethanol pipelines; and a tax credit for pollution abatement equipment. It also modifies certain rules and definitions relating to Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, extends through 2013 the Production Tax Credit for producing electricity from renewable resources, and allows an energy tax credit for investment in thermal storage systems or daylight dimming technologies.

S.1616- Biodiesel Promotion and Quality Assurance Act of 2007
June 13, Senators Durbin (D-IL), Grassley (R-IA), Carper (D-DE), Lugar (R-IN) and Obama (D-IL) introduced Biodiesel Promotion and Quality Assurance Act of 2007, a bill to amend the Clean Air Act to promote and assure the quality of biodiesel fuel, and for other purposes. The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. 

H.R.2701 – Transportation Energy Security and Climate Change Mitigation Act of 2007
June 13, Representative Oberstar (D-MN) and 15 cosponsors introduced the Transportation Energy Security and Climate Change Mitigation Act of 2007, a bill to strengthen our Nation’s energy security and mitigate the effects of climate change by promoting energy efficient transportation and public buildings, creating incentives for the use of alternative fuel vehicles and renewable energy, and ensuring sound water resource and natural disaster preparedness planning, and for other purposes. The bill was passed out of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 20.

S.1618 – Creates a Tax Credit for Cellulosic Biofuel
June 14, Senator Salazar (D-CO) and 10 cosponsors introduced a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit for the production of a cellulosic biofuel. The bill defines "cellulosic biofuel" as any liquid transportation fuel derived from any lignocellulosic or hemicellulosic matter (other than food starch) that is available on a renewable or recurring basis. The bill was referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.1631 – Small Business Emergency Fuel Assistance Act of 2007
Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Cantwell (WA) introduced a bill to establish an emergency fuel assistance grant program for small businesses and small farms dependent on fuel during energy emergencies. The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

H.R. 2720 – FARM 21 Act of 2007
June 14, Representative Kind (D-WI) and 14 cosponsors introduced a bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to reform commodity programs and to increase nutrition, conservation and energy programs of the Department of Agriculture, to reduce the national budget deficit, and for other purposes. During House debate, a revised version of this bill was voted down 171-309 as an amendment to the Farm Bill.

USDA Rural Development Program Continues its Support-Awards $16.3 Million in Development Funds

The USDA announced that it will award $16.3 million in awards and grants through various grant programs to promote economic and sustainable development in rural communities. Agriculture Under Secretary Thomas C. Dorr stated that the funding “will be used for a broad array of community and economic development projects in some of America's neediest communities. It will also be used for renewable energy development and to improve rural transportation systems."

The programs are dedicated to providing financial support to rural businesses and organizations that will contribute to economic and environmental advancements. The programs are as follows: Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) program dedicated to providing support for rural areas in particular need of financial aid; RBOG Native American, a Congressionally-directed spending program for projects on Native American lands; Intermediary Re-lending Program (IRP) for poverty alleviation and job creation; Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) for organizations that facilitate the development of small rural businesses; and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Loan and Grant (Section 9006) which provides funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy production projects or energy efficiency improvements.

The above grant programs administered by the USDA's Rural Development Program are dedicated to increasing economic opportunities for rural residents. The Development program has been largely successful, creating over 1.5 million job and has investing $76.8 million since the beginning of the Bush Administration.

Source: http://www.usda.gov/2007/05/0150.xml

Federal Interagency Posture Plan for Biofuels Management and Development Published

In May, the interagency Biomass Research and Development Board released a framework to begin to bring coherence to Federal strategic planning in the area of biofuels. The National Biofuels Action Plan Summary Report points to five areas: Feedstocks, Biochemical Conversion Technologies, Thermochemical Conversion Technologies, Technology Integration, Deployment, and Permitting for Biorefineries, Biofuels Infrastructure, and Communication, Education, and Outreach. For each of these focal areas the Plan details current federal activity and involvement, key barriers to future development, and recommendations for overcoming these barriers. It also reviews the role played by each participating agency in developing a comprehensive biofuels development strategy. Recommendations generally focus on increasing collaborative efforts, technology development initiatives, communication, environmental standards, and infrastructure development.

Source: http://www.biofuelspostureplan.govtools.us/default.aspx?menu=support

House Small Business Committee Holds Hearing on Rural Businesses

June 7, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing on the Family Farmer and Rural Small Business Priorities for the 2007 Farm Bill. The committee heard from a number of representatives from various rural and agricultural organizations who spoke about the needs of small family farms, rural economies and rural entrepreneurs. These representatives also brought forth policy recommendations for the 2007 Farm Bill in response to small business needs. Many advised changes to the bill’s current commodity programs to support small farmers. Other suggestions included energy initiatives to assist small farmers investing in renewable energy resources.  Small companies urged support for alternatives like cellulosic ethanol, and for infrastructure to further develop this booming industry where small businesses have taken the lead. Additionally, modifications to regulatory requirements, as well as the loans available in rural communities were stressed as crucial policy changes to support rural economic growth and clean energy. Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez has also been very busy with a variety of pieces of legislation that help promote renewable energy development from small businesses. One such bill introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) is the ‘National Endowment for Workforce Education in Renewables and Agriculture Act of 2007’ or the NEW ERA Act, which will provide funding and programs to expand the renewable energy workforce. This bill would provide grants to community colleges to create renewable energy workforce education and training programs, allowing for increased investment in human capital in our rural communities.

Source: http://www.house.gov/smbiz/democrats/

Departments of Agriculture and Energy Announce Grant Awards to Bio-based
Fuel Research Beyond Corn

June 7, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy jointly selected 11 projects initiated by state universities and private laboratories for awards totaling $8.3 million for biobased fuels research that will accelerate the development of alternative fuel resources. The grants were awarded in an effort to expand biobased fuel research to a variety of feedstocks beyond corn. This award program began in 2006 as part of a larger research initiative to help meet the President’s goal of reducing gasoline consumption by 20 percent in ten years. The funding will provide research support for up to three years.

Source: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2007/06/0161.xml

DOE Announces Bioenergy Research Centers

June 26, the Department of Energy announced its plans to pursue three partnerships for the development of its new Bioenergy Research Centers located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Madison, Wisconsin; and near Berkeley, California.  The Centers’ research will focus on basic genomic development of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels. The partnerships will facilitate new initiatives in reengineered biological processes that will help diversify feedstocks. The goal of the research is to establish cost-effective alternative fuels and to further energy security. The Bioenergy Research Centers will receive $375 million in funds to achieve their goals and contracts will be finalized at the beginning of the 2008 fiscal year.

Source: http://www.energy.gov/news/5172.htm

North Dakota Governor Signs Legislation for Renewable Energy and Ag-based Renewable Fuels

In April, North Dakota Republican Governor John Hoeven signed numerous bills enacting a comprehensive $42 million renewable energy plan, $7 million in new funding for an agricultural research greenhouse on the campus of North Dakota State University (NDSU), and a 34 percent budget increase for NDSU Agriculture.

The legislation signed by the Governor includes: HB 1462, adopts the 25x’25 Initiative, aimed at 25 percent of energy coming from renewable sources by 2025, and establishes an energy independence council; SB 2180, which creates a $5 million Biofuels Partnership in Assisting Community Expansion (PACE) Fund; SB 2288, which creates the $3 million Renewable Energy Grant Fund; HB 1515, which creates the Biomass Demonstration Project; HB 1233, which creates $3 million of tradable income tax credits for installation of geothermal, solar and wind energy devices; and HB1317, which extends a property tax deduction for wind generation units from 3 to 1.5 percent.

"Agriculture is our number one industry, and renewable energy and value-added food and fiber offer unprecedented opportunities for our producers," Governor Hoeven said. "The incentives we worked to pass this session will help us develop new and better products for larger and broader markets than ever before."

Governor Hoevon also signed a $7.3 million Governor's Ethanol Production Incentive Fund; a $2.2 million sales and use tax exemption for materials used to construct co-generation power plants in conjunction with value-added agriculture projects; expansion of Value-Added Agriculture Investment Tax Credits with the potential to generate investments in 10 projects per year, including renewable energy projects; a state objective of 10 percent of electricity produced from renewable sources by 2015; and a requirement for ethanol blend pumps to have an ethanol promotion label.

Source: http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48366
The Governor’s press release: http://governor.state.nd.us/media/news-releases/2007/04/070427.html

Oregon House Passes Clean Energy Bill

May 23, the Oregon House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 838, the Oregon Renewable Energy Act. The Act establishes a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that requires electricity generators to get 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2025. The Act received widespread support from both constituents and legislators. Supporters of the bill cite a number of benefits of RPS's. The new standards will promote greater energy independence from fossil fuels and a more stable energy supply. The standards also provide economic benefits such as job creation and stable energy prices. The new standards will also promote clean energy and environmental stewardship. Many maintain that a RPS is necessary for Oregon because it receives almost half of its energy from fossil fuels (41 percent from coal in 2005); therefore, cleaner and more reliable alternatives are necessary.

Source:   http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48647
http://www.poweringoregonsfuture.org/PoweringOregonsFuture/facts.htm

Minnesota Governor Signs Ambitious Clean Energy Law

May 25, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) signed S.F.145, the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007. The act outlines energy saving goals, community energy development projects and establishes statewide GHG reduction goals of 15 percent by 2015, 30 percent by 2025, and 80 percent by 2050. Early in the year the Governor also signed legislation codifying the ‘25 x 25’ renewable energy requirement, which mandates that Minnesota’s electric utilities to provide 25 percent renewable electricity by 2025. That bill also allocated over $35 million for projects such as bioenergy development, hybrid fuel development, and continuing energy research and infrastructure development. About $3 million has been set aside to double the number of E85 stations in Minnesota from 300 stations to 600 stations. Gov. Pawlenty maintains that, “The Next Generation Energy Initiative is providing the pathway to a better energy future. Minnesota is the leader in energy policy that benefits the environment, rural economies, national security and consumers.”

Source: http://www.governor.state.mn.us/mediacenter/pressreleases/PROD008146.html

New York Announces Biofuel Station Initiative to Increase E85 Stations

New York announced The Bio-Fuel Station Initiative: Driving Energy Independence for the Empire State, a program to provide cost-sharing for E85 and blended biodiesel station development. The goal of the program, run by The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is to increase the number of these alternative fuel stations across the state.  The Program provides a reimbursement of 50 percent of the costs, up to $50,000 per site; up to $9 million is available in funds. Up to 300 new E85 and biodiesel fueling stations are expected to open as a result of this initiative.

Source: http://www.nyserda.org/default.asp

Oregon Governor Pushes Biomass Fuel Despite Uneasiness From Environmentalists

Though forest fires may sometimes be beneficial, the damage caused by sweeping August forest fires in Oregon is an annual hazard. Oregon Governor Ted. Kulongoski (D) is pushing to solve this problem while pushing for more renewable sources of power the state. Governor Kulongoski wishes to use no-value forest debris as a cheap and renewable fuel source. In a unique process wood chips are dissolved in chemicals and separated into their component parts – cellulose and lignin. The cellulose is turned into paper and the lignin is melted into a thick syrup called black liquor. When heated, the water in this mixture evaporates into steam and can be used to turn turbines that power electricity generators.

Gov. Kulongoski believes that using the forest undergrowth will remedy the problem of forest fires and create environmental and economic benefits. He maintains that the process will “create jobs, produce electricity, and create healthier forests by getting rid of the fuel load.”

Environmentalists are skeptical of the true environmental and economic benefits of the proposed plan. Many worry about the consequences of using forests as renewable resources, especially old growth forests.  Others note that using debris as firewood may not be the best use for national forests. They maintain that, even with large subsidies, the process won't be able to compete with cheap northwest hydroelectric power. Despite these reservations, projects are set to proceed next year.

Source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10183997

 Iowa Energy Center Awards Grant for Small-scale Sorghum Biofuel Development

The Iowa Energy Center awarded $17,000 to the Dordt College Engineering Department to develop a farm-scale sweet sorghum-to-ethanol production system. Dr. Ethan Brue, Associate Professor of Engineering, will oversee the project; Dr. Brue has extensive experience with sorghum production for biofuels. Participating students will help design small-scale ‘field to fuel’ production systems feasible for use by small farms. The sweet sorghum for the project will be raised at Dordt’s 160-acre Agricultural Stewardship Center. The advantages to using sweet sorghum are that it produces more ethanol per acre than corn, and does not require the maintenance of the corn-based ethanol process. However, harvesting and storage of the sweet sorghum feedstock are two significant obstacles that need to be addressed during project development.

Sources: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/05/27/news_living/local/963c475ae1265b2c862572e7001629f3.txt

Governor of Oklahoma to Host GROW Biofuels Convention

Brad Henry, Governor of Oklahoma, will host GROW: the Governor's Conference on Biofuels, from October 16-17 in Oklahoma City. This will be the second annual conference held on the subject in Oklahoma. The conference will focus on the biofuel potential of many of Oklahoma’s native prairie grasses such as switchgrass. It will also feature keynote speakers and leaders who can share their experience and knowledge with program participants. Last year’s conference held seminars on topics such as The Role of Alternative Fuels in National Security and Alternative Energy & Economic Development in Rural America; one may expect similarly relevant seminars for the upcoming event.

Source: http://www.growok.com/twothousandsix.html#agenda06
http://www.growok.com/welcome.html

$10 Million Biodiesel Plant Planned In Upstate New York Utilizing “Empire Zone” Incentives

Hampton Biofuels, Inc. recently purchased land in Hampton, NY, with plans to construct a $10 million biodiesel production and distribution facility. The proposed site consists of 96 acres of “Empire Zone” certified land situated on the New York state “Vermont Line”, a strategic Vermont Rail System railway link allowing feedstocks to be transported by rail.

New York State’s Empire Zones Program is designed to encourage business growth and expansion through a variety of state tax incentives including both a wage and investment tax credit, a New York state sales tax refund and a tax reduction credit amongst others. The program provides incentives to more than 9,800 certified businesses employing approximately 380,000 people in 82 designated zones throughout the state.

Hampton Biofuels expects to break ground on the project by summer. According to Jonathan Braun, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for Hampton Biofuels, “the plan is to start with 10 million gallons per year capacity and scale up to full capacity of 50 million or more gallons per year, using a truly modular, scalable technology.” Braun explained the proposed feedstocks: “a true multi-feedstock system is key, meaning a system that can use both pure and waste vegetable oils,” adding that the modular approach would allow for one module to use, for example, soy, while another might use canola.

Hampton Biofuels was also recently accepted as a full voting member of the National Biodiesel Board.

Source:   http://www.vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770308009
For information about the New York State Empire Zone program visit:
http://www.empire.state.ny.us/Tax_and_Financial_Incentives/Empire_Zones/default.asp

Small-Wood Equipment Workshop Demonstrates New Technologies

On April 16 the New and Innovative Forestry Equipment Show and Workshop, sponsored by at the US Forest Service and the Montana Community Development Corporation, was held in Missoula, Montana. The event featured a number of different technologies and focused primarily on handling and potential uses for woody biomass, with a particular eye to fuel reduction and forest health.

“We're all focused on fuel reduction work and there's lots of this kind of material out there,” said Bob Rummer, the Forest Service's project leader of forest operations research. Rummer commented that the presenters were “looking for new ways to [make it more cost effective]. This is all cutting-edge stuff.”

Craig Rawlings of the Montana Community Development Corporation was impressed with the turnout, “instead of just one technology and maybe 10 people, we ended up with 13 different technologies and 85 people.” Rawlings added, “there's a lot of interest out there right now surrounding the handling of woody biomass.”

Technologies presented at the event included: a remote-controlled dozer, the size of a lawn mower tractor, designed to remove woody debris from small acreages; thin strips of waste wood tied up in bales which could replace the straw bales used to control erosion and portable bins and roll-off truck containers that can resolve accessibility problems and allow low or no-value small diameter timber, slash, or chips to easily be transported to a process facility.

Source:   http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/04/17/news/local/news04.txt
For a list of presentations visit: http://smallwoodnews.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=661

Maine Wood Pellet Manufacturers Hope to Beat out American Competition to Tap European Markets

Heavily forested and located close to Europe, Maine state officials see wood pellets as a way to generate new jobs and create export opportunities for a forest-products industry as papermaking declines in Maine. Two Maine wood pellet plants, Corinth Wood Pellets LLC in Corinth, Maine which came online earlier this year and Maine Wood Pellets Co. in Athens, Maine, which hopes to being operating this summer, could together produce 1 million tons or more of wood pellets a year.  One way that Maine is encouraging these activities is through its Pine Tree Development Zone, which makes manufacturing facilities within it, such as Corinth Wood Pellets, tax exempt and refunds the cost of their business in exchange for creating jobs.

While there is local demand for wood pellets, there is a larger market evolving in Europe, where regulations designed to combat global climate change have created incentives for power companies to boost their use of renewable resources. Europe already consumes nearly 8 million tons of wood pellets a year to run factories and power plants and heat entire neighborhoods. "It's just a perfect marriage," said John Richardson, the state's new Economic Development Commissioner, referring to Maine’s wood pellet resources and the European market.

Other companies along the eastern seaboard are also looking to serve the European market. Energex Pellet Fuel, Inc. currently bills itself as North America's largest pellet fuel maker, producing 200,000 tons a year from plants in Quebec and Pennsylvania. Green Circle Bio Energy in Jackson County, Florida, owned by a Swedish company, is building a plant with the capability of producing 560,000 tons a year. Green Circle Bio Energy calls it the largest wood pellet plant in the world and intends to export much its pellets to Europe. Dixie Pellets, LLC, near Selma, Alabama and Fram Renewable Fuels near Baxley, Georgia are both looking to export pellets to Europe as well.

A wet, warm winter in Europe this year hurt sales for existing producers because pellets require special handling and must stay completely dry during transportation. Europeans are paying roughly $150 a ton wholesale for pellets. That's attractive for American producers, but exporters have to factor in the cost of wood supply, ocean freight, exchange rates and storage. In addition, they must consider competition amongst themselves and with established wood pellet companies in Scandinavia, Germany and Russia.

Source:   http://business.mainetoday.com/news/070415woodpellets.html

NRG Energy Partners with GreenFuel Technologies for Emissions-to-Biofuel Field Test

The owner of the Dunkirk Generating Station of NRG Energy, formerly Xcel Energy Inc., and GreenFuel Technologies Corporation, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, have started field testing GreenFuel's proprietary Emissions-to-Biofuels technology. Tests began in April at NRG Energy’s Big Cajun II, a 1,489 megawatt coal-fueled power plant in Louisiana. GreenFuel's Emissions-to-Biofuels process uses algae to capture and reduce flue gas carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

Grown in closed photo-bioreactors, the energy-rich algae are harvested daily and can be converted into a broad range of biofuels or high-value animal feed supplements. Power generators could also dry and store the carbon-rich algae biomass for use as renewable fuel for the power plant or convert it to valuable transportation fuels such as biodiesel or ethanol. In the initial field testing, which will last about four months, algae species will be selected to optimize biofuel production based on the site's flue gas composition, local climate, and geography, with an ultimate goal of construction of a commercial-scale facility which, according to GreenFuel, could recycle enough CO2 to yield as much as 8,000 gallons of biodiesel per acre annually under optimum conditions.

"With the help of forward thinking and environmentally responsible companies like NRG, we can use algae to recycle power plant CO2 emissions safely and economically into a continuous supply of clean, renewable fuels," said GreenFuel Technologies CEO Cary Bullock.

GreenFuel Technologies press release: http://www.greenfuelonline.com/gf_files/Big_Cajun_PR.pdf
NRG Energy press release: http://www.snl.com/irweblinkx/file.aspx?IID=4057436&FID=3653886

Nevada Company Looks to Geothermal to Power Its Biodiesel Plant

Infinifuel Biodiesel, in Wabuska, Nevada, is working to turn the oldest geothermal plant in Nevada into a biodiesel processing facility using camelina oil seed as a feedstock, and, in the future, possibly algae. Claude Sapp, principal for Infinifuel Biodiesel, expects to have the first crop of feedstock available in July, when a crop of camelina oil seed will be harvested. Sapp said he has distributed oil seed to farmers across central Nevada and hopes to have enough to process by summer.

The plant will use geothermal power to heat vegetable oil with an alcohol to produce biodiesel, with the glycerin byproduct being used in dust suppression, and the remaining biomass becoming fertilizer or fish or animal food. In the future, Sapp hopes to produce biodiesel from algae grown in ponds onsite, utilizing geothermal to maintain a constant temperature during the cool desert nights. "It is about a thousand times more productive to grow algae than growing oil seed in the dirt. We have plenty of land to expand. We can grow acres more than our test ponds," said Sapp.

The geothermal facility Sapp is using creates enough energy to power the biodiesel plant and sell some electricity back to the grid. "The water at the geothermal plant comes out of the ground at about 220 degrees," Sapp said. "The plant makes electricity, with any excess sold back to Sierra Pacific, so it is all self-contained. We're trying not to use any petroleum products at all." According to Sapp, the plant used to produce ethanol, back in the 1980s. Sapp has plans for expanding to new facilities in nearby Hazen and Valmy.

Source: http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20070513/BUSINESS/105130100

SCE Helps Increase California's Renewable Energy Through Small Biomass Projects

A California energy company, Southern California Edison (SCE), issued a Biomass Standard Contract to help smaller biomass generators contribute to California's achieving its aggressive renewable energy and environmental goals. A host of projects, including landfill gas, municipal solid waste, wood, fuel cell, digester gas, and sewer gas initiatives are eligible for contracts. These contracts will help those companies producing fewer that 20MW of electricity market their power to customers. This will allow for a net increase in the renewable energy used in the state.  Pedro Pizarro, SCE's senior vice president of power procurement said, "we believe this innovative approach will do just that, prompting many small biomass generators to join California's growing renewable energy industry." SCE may limit this initiative to either its acceptance of 250 MW from eligible biomass generating facilities or all acceptable offers received as of December 31, 2007, whichever occurs first.

Source: http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48553 and http://www.sce.com/EnergyProcurement/bsc.htm
 

AlgoDyne and JME to Construct Mobile Eco-Fueling Stations

On May 17, AlgoDyne Ethanol Energy, Inc., an eco-fuels research and development company, announced that it plans to collaborate with John M. Ellsworth, Inc. (JME) to provide mobile eco-fueling stations in the U.S. These mobile stations will provide consumers access to biodiesel products and/or future ethanol products, supplied through AgloDynein, a low-cost, environmentally friendly infrastructure. The fueling stations are also supposed to facilitate growth among small entrepreneurs and fuel providers. The company plans to bring mobile eco-fuel station to Canada once it completes its U.S. initiative. Prof. Hans-Jürgen Franke, Chief Technology Officer, stated that, “new methods of distribution and alternative types of proven fuels like ethanol will allow a new generation of users, producers and retailers to emerge across Canada and the United States.”

Sources:
http://au.quote.com/stocks/story.action?id=KAS138g6891 and http://www.algodynecorp.com/investors.php
http://www.grainnet.com/articles/AlgoDyne%20Ethanol%20Energy%20to%20Offer%20Mobile%20Eco-Stations-44357.html
http://au.quote.com/stocks/story.action?id=BIZ149b4997

Conference Held on Anaerobic Digestion and Electricity in Des Moines, Iowa

On May 21-22, a seminar course entitled Anaerobic Treatment of Agricultural Wastes was held in Hotel Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa. The course, hosted and developed by the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University, was designed to instruct individuals on anaerobic digestion processes for electricity generation. In this process, animal waste solids generate methane gas, which then creates electricity. Course topics, taught by over 15 experts, included: introductory information on anaerobic digestion, current status of manure anaerobic digestion, system configuration and technology selection, biogas production rates, collection and handling, direct use of biogas, and electricity generation with biogas. The goal of the course was to teach potential producers and consultants in the agriculture industry how to run a bioenergy operation. The conference had 109 attendees.

Source: http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/anaerobiccourse/home.html
                http://www.abe.iastate.edu/wastemgmt/

UGA Team Develops Eco-Friendly, Wood-Based Biofuel

University of Georgia researchers are working on a technique that creates biofuels from wood chips and pellets. The biofuel product can be blended with biodiesel and petroleum diesel to produce a hybrid fuel for conventional engines. Though using wood for fuel is not a new concept, the fuel produced previously could not be used in engines. The refining process developed is an inventive way to easily produce cheap fuel. “The exciting thing about our method is that it is very easy to do,” said Tom Adams, director of the UGA Faculty of Engineering outreach service. “We expect to reduce the price of producing fuels from biomass dramatically with this technique.”

In the process, wood chips are heated under anaerobic conditions at a high temperature - this is called pyrolysis. Wood chips must be roughly a quarter inch in diameter and six-tenths of an inch long. Up to a third of the dry weight of the wood becomes charcoal, while the rest becomes a gas. Most of this gas is condensed into a liquid bio-oil and chemically treated. When the process is complete, about 34 percent of the bio-oil can be used to power engines.

Other benefits of this new technique are that the fuel produced is almost completely carbon-neutral and the charcoal by-product is being tested as a potential fertilizer.

Source: http://www.uga.edu/news/artman/publish/070518_Biofuel.shtml 

NCAT Announces New Search Tool for Renewable Research Project Support

On June 4, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) announced a new free web service considered to be a “one stop shopping” search tool for farms and ranches interested in renewable energy projects. This service is largely a response to growing interest in renewable energy within agribusiness. The tool, located at www.attra.ncat.org/farmenergysearchtool, is an easy to use search engine that can locate funding and resources in any state for renewable energy projects. Project topics include anaerobic digesters, solar energy, wind energy, biodiesel, energy efficiency, and funding.

NCAT has partnered with a number of businesses to offer this service and encourages energy-related, interested companies and agencies to join the partnership. Funding for the tool is provided by the USDA Risk Management Agency, through a project called "Building Farm Energy Self-Sufficiency."

Source: http://www.ncat.org/news.html#fe_db and http://attra.ncat.org/farm_energy/farm_energy_main.php

Maine Potatoes Can be Used for Bioplastics: State is Set to Supply Potatoes for “Spudware”

Maine potatoes could be the new source of plastics. According to the University of Maine's Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, Maine may benefit from using its potato industry for bioplastics. This eco-friendly version eliminates the need for petroleum and crude oil products and the production of toxic petrochemicals. Using potato-based products is becoming common abroad in the EU and Japan, where “spudware” products are popping up on the market. Potato-based bioplastics are economically and technologically feasible for Maine, a big producer of the starchy tuber; potato production for bioplastics can be increased in the region without compromising its availability as a food crop. Michael Belliveau, executive director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, stated “this represents green chemistry in action."

The Maine Technology Institute awarded Guilford-based InterfaceFABRIC a grant last year to explore this new technology. Other technologies Interface has developed include textiles from recycling plastics and corn.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19079537/ and http://www.interfaceinc.com/

DuPont Unveils New Corn-Based Polymer to be Used for Biobased Products

June 8, DuPont revealed a new polymer derived from corn that will be used in the production of many biobased products ranging from cosmetics to paints and anti-freeze. The new polymer called CerenolTM is derived from 1, 3-propanediol (PDO). DuPont partnered with Tate & Lyle in 2006 and began producing this polymer from corn. The companies named the new product Bio-PDO. In a June press release, DuPont asserted that the new corn-based product will use 40 percent less energy and lead to a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the petroleum-based version. DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products President Steven Mirshak, said “we are quickly growing into a business that delivers high performing, renewable products to diverse markets globally. This was the goal and vision of our parent companies.”

Source: Press Release from DuPont

Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels Opens Draft of Sustainability Principles to Public Comment

June 5, the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) released the initial draft of biofuel sustainability principles for public comment. The comment period will last through the summer months until September 15, 2007, at which point the RSB will take feedback into consideration and provide a revised draft. The revised draft will be open to feedback in the fall of 2007. The goal of the group is to have the comment and revision process completed by the end of 2007 and a draft of criteria and indicators to measure compliance with these principles by May of 2008.

Source: http://cgse.epfl.ch/page65660-en.html

Writers: Jetta L. Wong, Jamil Farbes and Toby Dachman
Editor: Carol Werner

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The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is a non-profit organization that works at the nexus of policy and innovation to promote environmentally sustainable societies.  EESI was founded in 1984 by a bipartisan group of Congressional Members dedicated to finding environmental and energy solutions.  EESI provides credible, timely information and innovative policy ideas through coalition building, media outreach, publications, briefings, workshops and task forces on the issues of energy efficiency and renewable energy, transportation, smart growth, agriculture and global climate change.  Carol Werner leads the EESI team as executive director.