In Washington, former House speaker Newt Gingrich called for the replacement of the Environmental Protection Agency with a new agency he dubbed the Environmental Solution Agency. “I think you have an agency which would get up every morning, very much like the National Institutes for Health or the National Science Foundation, and try to figure […]
In Washington, informed sources are confirming that Carol Browner, the White House energy and climate change policy czarina, will depart from the administration, shortly. The former Clinton-era EPA chief had been in charge of the strategic focus on climate change and clean energy, across multiple agencies. The Obama Administration was unable to pass comprehensive climate […]
In Washington, the USDA has awarded nearly $10 million in five-year grants to boost bioenergy and bio-products education in elementary and high schools. Corinne Rutzke at Cornell University received $4,999,940 to provide teachers from grades 8 through the undergraduate level with a strong footing in multi-disciplinary content and research-based training materials and activities linked to […]
In Washington, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA Rural Development has selected for funding 68 study grants nationwide to determine the feasibility of renewable energy projects. The grants cover all five regions identified by the Secretary in his October speech to the National Press Club. The regions include the Northeast, Central/East, Southeast (including […]
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the offer of a conditional commitment to Diamond Green Diesel, LLC, the proposed joint venture between Valero Energy Corporation and Darling International Inc., for a $241 million loan guarantee. The loan guarantee will support the construction of a 137-million gallon per year renewable diesel facility in Norco, Louisiana, […]
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that biofuels and biomass energy projects across America have been selected for funding to continue the Administration’s support for the development of renewable fuels. Vilsack highlighted the various investments USDA made since he laid out a broad vision to spur rural revitalization through renewable energy production in a speech […]
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA Rural Development has selected for funding 68 study grants nationwide to determine the feasibility of renewable energy projects. The grants cover all five regions identified by the Secretary in his October speech to the National Press Club. The regions include the Northeast, Central/East, Southeast (including Hawaii), West […]
In Washington, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is scheduled to announce the funding of new biorefinery projects under the 2008 Farm Bill’s Biorefinery Assistance Program (Section 9003) today at 1:45pm. Additionally, he is expected to announce that USDA has provided funding to recipients in 33 states to support the production and usage of advanced biofuels. Additionally, […]
In Canada, Owen Sound City Council voted January 10 to end their biodiesel program. Citing numerous problems such as major engine failures in their buses, which the city’s transit contractor blamed on the biodiesel blend and warnings that the use of biodiesel would void the bus warranties. Additionally, the contracted supplier was not able to […]
In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association replied to comments reportedly made by Senators John McCain of Arizona and John Barrasso of Wyoming in meetings with Brazilian officials, in which they questioned the legality of the ethanol tariff. The RFA responds: “a 2008 letter to Senator Feinstein from U.S. Trade Representative, Susan Schwab, states that the […]
