tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43273184591215469502024-03-13T03:23:17.688-07:00Center for Environment, Commerce & Energy - MidwestDedicated to protecting the environment, enhancing human, animal and plant ecologies, promoting the efficient use of natural resources and increasing African American participation in the environmental movement.James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-23807176479377417982010-11-17T10:56:00.001-08:002010-11-17T10:57:12.458-08:00EPA Hearing in Chicago on E15 Pump Label Regulation<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><br /><a style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: left; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em; cssfloat: left" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1p20WdeXKKs/TOQklwOsbAI/AAAAAAAAKNk/IF4KjZq7dBo/s1600/Ethanol.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1p20WdeXKKs/TOQklwOsbAI/AAAAAAAAKNk/IF4KjZq7dBo/s200/Ethanol.jpg" width="171" height="200" px="true" /></a></div>The U.S. EPA will hold a public hearing next week in Chicago on a regulation to help ensure that E15 (gasoline containing greater than 10 percent by volume ethanol up to 15 percent) is only used in approved motor vehicles.<br /><br />EPA has proposed regulations to help consumers easily identify E15 when filling up at the pump. E15 fuel can be used for model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks.<br /><br />The regulation includes E15 pump labeling requirements and requires the fuel industry to specify the ethanol content of gasoline sold to retailers. EPA also proposed a quarterly survey of retail stations to help ensure that gas pumps are properly labeled.<br /><br />The Agency is holding the hearing to gain public input on the pump label regulation.<br /><br />Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or until everyone has had a chance to speak<br />Date: Tuesday, November 16, 2010<br />Place: Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago, 163 East Walton Place<br /><br /><a href="http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/e15/index.htm">View proposed rule and labels</a><br /><br />Listen to the Hearings over the Phone: 150 lines will be available for those who wish to listen to the hearings, but are unable to attend in person. Note: you will not be able to present testimony over the phone. When each of the above hearings is occurring, you may call the following toll-free number: 1-866-299-3188. At the prompt, enter conference code 7342144423 followed by the # sign.James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-91911128936491130632010-11-16T14:05:00.000-08:002010-11-16T14:11:58.400-08:00EPA Proposes Guidance for Underground Storage Tanks<p> </p><p><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/TOMA1ZjoVYI/AAAAAAAAACU/bJ6L8xk7M4Y/s1600/Ethanol1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540272883989239170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/TOMA1ZjoVYI/AAAAAAAAACU/bJ6L8xk7M4Y/s200/Ethanol1.jpg" /></a>As part of its commitment to help ensure that biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, are safely stored in underground storage tanks (USTs), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft guidance for UST owners and operators who wish to store these fuels.<br /><br />EPA is requesting comments on the proposed guidance that clarifies how an UST owner or operator can comply with the federal compatibility requirement for UST systems storing gasoline containing greater than 10 percent ethanol, and diesel containing a percent of biodiesel yet to be determined. After reviewing comments, EPA intends to issue the final guidance in early 2011.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.epa.gov/oust">More information</a> on the guidance<br /></p>James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-16085093617075953612009-06-23T19:05:00.000-07:002009-06-23T19:12:24.237-07:00Secretary Chu Announces $93 Million from Recovery Act to Support Wind Energy Projects<p><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/SkGKqc1a_1I/AAAAAAAAACE/FR4va5xvpz4/s1600-h/DOE.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350710294192258898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/SkGKqc1a_1I/AAAAAAAAACE/FR4va5xvpz4/s200/DOE.jpg" border="0" /></a>National Renewable Energy Laboratory to receive more than $100 million from Recovery Act<br /><br />GOLDEN, CO – In an ongoing effort to expand domestic renewable energy, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced plans to provide $93 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support further development of wind energy in the United States during a visit to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory today. Secretary Chu also announced more than $100 million in funding from the Recovery Act for NREL facility and infrastructure improvements.<br />The funding will leverage the Department of Energy’s national laboratories, universities, and the private sector to help improve reliability and overcome key technical challenges for the wind industry. These projects will create green jobs, promote economic recovery, and provide the investments needed to increase renewable energy generation.<br /><br />$45 million for wind turbine drivetrain R&D and testingDOE will provide $45 million directed toward enhancing the federal government’s ability to support the wind industry through testing the performance and reliability of current and next generation wind turbine drivetrain systems.This investment will deliver dependable and cost effective hardware for utility scale wind turbines with over a 20 year design life. Overall, this project will help to improve the country’s competitiveness in wind energy technology, lower capital costs of wind systems, and maintain a high level of wind energy capacity growth.<br /><br />$14 million for technology developmentTo strengthen its support of the wind industry, DOE will make available $14 million to advance technology development in the private sector. This effort will aim to improve the quality and use of lighter weight, advanced materials for turbine blades, towers, and other components. Another area of emphasis will be process controls for lamination, blade finishing, trimming, grind, painting, materials handling and inspection.<br /><br />$24 million for wind power research and developmentDOE will provide $24 million for the development of up to three consortia between universities and industry to focus on critical wind energy challenges. These partnerships will allow universities to establish research and development programs to advance material design, performance measurements, analytical models, and work with the industry to improve power systems operations, maintenance and repair, and component manufacturing.<br /><br />$10 million for National Wind Technology CenterDOE will invest $10 million at its own National Wind Technology Center in Colorado. This funding will enhance the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s ability to support the wind industry through testing current and next generation wind turbine drive train systems for better performance and reliability. Additionally, upgrades to the electrical distribution system will permit cost recovery of the power produced by two new utility-scale wind turbines being installed there for testing and evaluation.<br /><br />Additionally, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will also receive:<br /><br />$68 million for Research Support FacilityThis project will create the nation’s most energy efficient office building at the same cost of low efficiency commercial construction today. It will achieve LEED Platinum and 50% energy use reduction over standard commercial office buildings. The goal is to create a design process that can be replicated by future construction projects.<br /><br />$19.2 million for Renewable Energy and Site InfrastructureWill use solar and potentially geothermal and fuel cells to replace power currently purchased from utilities and reduce our carbon use.<br /><br />$13.5 million for upgrades to the Integrated Biorefinery Research FacilityNew funding will create a continuous process research and development capability to develop commercial scale cellulose to ethanol technologies. It will also accelerate the development of commercially viable conversion processes.<br /><br />Wind energy is among the fastest growing energy technologies in the United States. The U.S. now leads the world in wind energy generation and has led the globe in new wind energy capacity installations for the past four years. Last year, wind energy accounted for 42 percent of all new energy generation capacity in the United States. In 2008, DOE published the <a href="http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_2030.html">20% Wind Energy by 2030</a> report which examines the technical feasibility of using wind energy to generate 20 percent of the nation's electricity demand by 2030.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.energy.gov/recovery">Recovery Act (DOE)</a> </p><p><a href="http://www.energy.gov/news2009/7358.htm"><strong>DOE</strong></a></p>James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-46225085768614222372009-03-19T09:31:00.000-07:002009-03-19T09:47:07.908-07:00Indiana Bioenergy, Wind and Ethanol Pipeline News<p><br /><strong>Bioenergy Company Moves Into New Facility</strong><br /><br />A company that works to produce fuel oil from algae has opened a new pilot production facility and corporate headquarters in Indianapolis. <a href="http://stellarwindbioenergy.com/"><strong>Stellarwind Bio Energy LLC</strong></a>'s new location will include a greenhouse and an advanced research and development facility. The company uses proprietary technology to extract oil from algae and then convert it into methane, industrial grade charcoal and fertilizer.<br /><br /><strong>Indiana Firm Lands Wind Farm Contract</strong><br /><br />Fishers-based <a href="http://www.bowenengineering.com/">Bowen Engineering Corp</a>. has won a contract for the first wind farm being developed by <a href="http://www.horizonwind.com/home/">Horizon Wind Energy</a> in the state. The Meadow Lake wind farm will include 121 turbine generators that will be erected in farm fields and connected to a new electrical substation. Horizon also has projects planned in Randolph and Howard counties.<br /><br /><strong>POET Explores Possible Ethanol Pipeline</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/ScJ2NBgDbcI/AAAAAAAAAB0/8TYCIEzaBQ0/s1600-h/NorthManchesterIN.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314940476363861442" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/ScJ2NBgDbcI/AAAAAAAAAB0/8TYCIEzaBQ0/s200/NorthManchesterIN.gif" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/ScJ2CzL8AsI/AAAAAAAAABs/X9JtQyZav6Y/s1600-h/Alexandria,+IN.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314940300722700994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/ScJ2CzL8AsI/AAAAAAAAABs/X9JtQyZav6Y/s200/Alexandria,+IN.gif" border="0" /></a>The operator of three ethanol plants in Indiana is entering into a partnership to assess the feasibility of building an ethanol pipeline. <a href="http://www.poetenergy.com/">POET LLC</a> has signed a joint agreement with <a href="http://www.magellanlp.com/">Magellan Midstream Partners L.P</a>. to possibly develop a system to deliver ethanol from the Midwest to terminals in the northeastern U.S. POET has facilities in Alexandria, North Manchester and Portland.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/ScJ2SppaksI/AAAAAAAAAB8/RNCv9Jdn1us/s1600-h/PortlandIN.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314940573039891138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/ScJ2SppaksI/AAAAAAAAAB8/RNCv9Jdn1us/s200/PortlandIN.gif" border="0" /></a><br /></p>James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-40559688925374382602009-03-02T13:52:00.000-08:002009-03-02T13:55:32.423-08:0050,000 Tons of Carbon Dioxide in Michigan BasinA U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) team of regional partners has begun injecting 50,000 additional tons into the formation, which is believed capable of storing hundreds of years worth of CO2, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. DOE’s Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP), led by Battelle of Columbus, Ohio, began injecting the CO2 this week in the Michigan Basin near Gaylord, Mich., in a deep saline formation, the Silurian-age Bass Island dolomite. The MRCSP is one of seven partnerships in DOE’s Carbon Sequestration Partnership Program, which was created to assess optimal CO2 storage approaches in each region of the country. The program is managed for DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).<br /><br />When the current project is completed, the total 60,000 metric ton injection at the Michigan site will mark the largest deep saline reservoir injection in the United States to date and will allow scientists to more fully evaluate how CO2 moves through the basin’s geologic formation. Injections are expected to take place at an average rate of 250 tons per day up to a maximum rate of 600 tons. The 6-month project and related activities of the MRCSP are expected to create more than 230 jobs and 2,900 total project job years.<br /><br />Since the test is taking place within an existing oil and gas field, continuing enhanced oil recovery operations — which are being conducted by well owner, Core Energy LLC — makes this area ideal for the injection test. The area already contains much of the needed infrastructure, such as CO2 compressors, injection systems, existing wells, and pipelines, including an 8-mile-long transport pipeline.<br /><br />The CO2 being injected comes from a natural gas processing plant owned by DTE Energy, located near Gaylord, where the CO2 will be transported via the 8-mile pipeline to the well. The depth of the injection (3,500 feet) is significantly below the 1,000-foot level of drinking water sources and does not pose any danger to them.<br /><br />DOE launched the Carbon Sequestration Partnership Program in 2003 to develop and validate technologies to store and monitor CO2 in various geologic formations around the country as part of a national strategy to combat global climate change.<br /><br />The MRCSP team includes more than 30 partners from state and federal organizations, leading universities, state geological surveys, nongovernmental organizations, and private companies in the eight-state region of Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. In addition to Battelle, Core Energy, and DTE, other participants include the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education at Western Michigan University, Stanford University Geophysics Department, Schlumberger, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Office of Geological Survey. (<a href="http://fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2009/09012-DOE_Partners_Begin_CO2_Injection.html">DOE</a>)James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-25180472269242437512008-11-18T16:01:00.000-08:002009-03-04T09:54:53.661-08:00Alternative Energy Roundtable - Summary Report<p align="left"><a href="http://aaenvironment.com/AERWSummaryReport.htm"><strong>Summary Report</strong></a><br /><br /></p><div align="left">On September 8, 2008, EnviroKinetics, Inc. and the Carver Community Organization Inc. presented an Alternative Energy Roundtable Workshop at the Centre in Evansville, Indiana. The one-day workshop consisted of: 1) a Panel discussion for industry experts who addressed key energy and environmental issues; 2) a Career Development session for High School and College students; and 3) an Exhibition Hall showcasing innovative residential and commercial products, and demonstrations on low-cost home energy saving tips on the emerging technologies in the energy field. The workshop featured hourly raffles of energy saving products and $50 gasoline coupon give-aways.<br /><br />Carver’s Environmental Resource Center, funded in 1999 by a US EPA grant, is dedicated to protecting the air, soil and water in Southwest Indiana. Carver delivers environmental information and services directly into communities. Through a partnership spearheaded by EnviroKinetics, it works to clean up neighborhoods by promoting the efficient use of natural resources, energy conservation and implementation of environmental protection programs. The public participation programs are the creation of community-based policies, plans, programs and projects that reflect a shared vision of the future. EnviroKinetics assembled an exciting team of organizations, colleges and universities, industry executives and state and local officials to exchange ideas and discuss sustainable solutions to our current energy challenges.<br /><br />The primary goal was for industry experts to share information and knowledge on a broad range of energy conservation initiatives, renewable/alternative energy resources and clean energy research technologies, as well as present an overview of the enforcement and accountability of the US Environmental Laws from the Federal and State levels.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://aaenvironment.com/AERWSummaryReport.htm"><strong>FULL REPORT</strong></a></div>James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-66337967959360209732008-08-11T13:06:00.000-07:002009-03-19T11:11:58.858-07:00Alternative Energy RoundtableThe <a href="http://www.carverorg.org/">Carver Community Organization, Inc</a>. and<br />EnviroKinetics, Inc. will present the <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Alternative Energy Roundtable</span></strong><br /><br />September 8, 2008<br />8:00am - 1:00pm<br />The Centre<br />Evansville, Indiana<br /><br />The one-day workshop will consist of: 1) a Panel discussion for industry experts addressing key energy and environmental issues; 2) a Career Development session for High School and College students; and 3) an Exhibition Hall showcasing innovative residential and commercial products, free demonstrations on low-cost energy saving tips for homes, hourly raffles of energy saving products and gasoline coupon give-aways.<br /><br />The Career Development component of the workshop will focus on exposing students and recent college graduates to environmental and alternative energy opportunities/initiatives at colleges, community organizations and local industries. The career networking session will also include lunch. The luncheon is the first step in a process to increase participation and awareness of the environmental and energy fields and to prepare students for gainful careers in the technical, industrial and energy conservation fields. It will allow an exchange between academia/local industry and students to examine interests and explore career possibilities. EnviroKinetics, Inc. will coordinate outreach efforts to identify technology-oriented students for participation in this segment. To highlight this event, a scholarship award will be presented to high school students who embodies the academic discipline, community participation and vision to continue the path as a future environmentalist and/or scientist.<br /><br />Carver’s Environmental Resource Center, funded in 1999 by a US EPA grant, is<br />dedicated to protecting the air, soil and water in Southwest Indiana. The objective of the Center is to assess environmental hazards and develop strategies to promote sustainable communities through increased outreach, education, and participation throughout diverse neighborhoods in Evansville, Indiana.<br /><br />Carver delivers environmental information and services directly into communities. Through a partnership spearheaded by EnviroKinetics, it works to clean up neighborhoods by promoting the efficient use of natural resources, energy conservation and implementation of environmental protection programs. The public participation programs are the creation of community-based policies, plans, programs and projects that reflect a shared vision of the future. EnviroKinetics has assembled an exciting team of organizations, colleges and universities, industry executives and state and local officials to exchange ideas and discuss sustainable solutions to our current<br />energy challenges.<br /><br />Industry experts will share information and knowledge on a broad range of energy conservation initiatives, renewable/alternative energy resources and clean energy research technologies, as well as an overview of the enforcement and accountability of the US Environmental Laws from the Federal and State levels.<br /><br />Session I<br />Dr. Joanne Alexandrovich, Office of Ozone, Vanderburgh County Health Department<br />Laura Ann Arnold, President, Indiana Renewable Energy Association<br />Donald J. Challman, Associate Director & General Manager<br />University of Kentucky, Center for Applied Energy Research<br />Paul D. Medcalf, Corporate Services Manager, Workforce & Economic<br />Development, Ivy Tech Community College<br /><br />Session II<br />Dona Bergman, Director, Evansville’s Office of EPA<br />John A. Rupp, Assistant Director<br /><br />The Exhibition Hall is open to the public from 9:00am - 1:00pm. Due to limited seating @ the Alternative Energy Roundtable panel discussion, RSVP is required. For more information, please contact <a href="mailto:enviroSeries@yahoo.com">enviroSeries@yahoo.com</a>.<br />_________________________________________________________________<br />Sponsors<br />Center for Environment, Commerce & Energy (CECE), Vectren, IVY Tech, KAY, Morton EnergyJames Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-30472606721922105212008-01-14T17:40:00.000-08:002008-01-14T17:42:22.936-08:00White House Internships<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/R4wPX-LD-JI/AAAAAAAAABA/UWmQavecXP0/s1600-h/WhiteHouseSouth.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155512577933179026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/R4wPX-LD-JI/AAAAAAAAABA/UWmQavecXP0/s200/WhiteHouseSouth.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>The application deadline for the Summer 2008 White House Internship is February 26, 2008. If you know students and/or organizations that may be interested in this information please share this with them. The White House is looking for a well-qualified, diverse group of applicants who would like to intern for President Bush. A White House Internship is an opportunity for current students and recent graduates to experience everyday life at the White House while working with high-level officials on a variety of tasks and projects. Strong applicants should exhibit:</div><div><br />· Sound academic credentials· A demonstrated interest in public service</div><br /><div>· Solid written and verbal communication skills</div><br /><div>· A history of community involvement</div><br /><div>· Strong character and leadership skills</div><br /><div></div><div>Beyond experiencing the day-to-day operations of the White House, interns participate in a speaker series, tours, community service projects, and various White House events. For more information please visit our website at: <a title="http://www.whitehouse.gov/intern" href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/intern">www.whitehouse.gov/intern</a>. Applications should be submitted to <a title="mailto:intern_application@whitehouse.gov" href="mailto:intern_application@whitehouse.gov">intern_application@whitehouse.gov</a> on or before February 26, 2008 for the Summer 2008 Internship.If you have any questions please contact White House Personnel at 202-456-5979.</div>James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-39434315075446217342007-10-26T20:40:00.000-07:002007-10-26T20:45:04.161-07:00Car Gas Economy, Hybrids, All-Electric and Ethanol<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/RyK0EvvOnFI/AAAAAAAAAA0/JP58Lc8vCaQ/s1600-h/Cars+&+Trucks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125857319528078418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/RyK0EvvOnFI/AAAAAAAAAA0/JP58Lc8vCaQ/s200/Cars+%26+Trucks.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/RyKzm_vOnEI/AAAAAAAAAAs/Pz4iPDtwh1E/s1600-h/ethanol3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125856808426970178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/RyKzm_vOnEI/AAAAAAAAAAs/Pz4iPDtwh1E/s200/ethanol3.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>America is playing around with vehicles, oil, moonshine and climate change. Federal car gasoline economy standards are 27.5 miles per gallon and the current energy bill wants to raise that to about 36 mpg. Will not happen. John Dingell is Chairman of the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee and he believes increased standards will hurt Detroit. And he represents Detroit.</div><div><br />Hybrids still use gasoline so such vehicles will reduce but will not eliminate carbon dioxide and smog forming emissions. All electrics still have lithium ion battery technology hurdles to overcome before becoming commonly available. The batteries do not like heat. Think laptops spontaneously combusting around heat.</div><div><br />And ethanol will create more smog because it produces more nitrogen oxides, a component of smog. The 10 percent ethanol additive decreases mileage by about 3% according to some estimates. Congress wants to use the current energy bill to increase the 2005 Energy Policy Act requirement of 7.5 billion gallons of ethanol as the oxygenate additive to 36 billion gallons by 2022. There is also a 54 cent per gallon tariff on imported ethanol to protect domestic ethanol profits. Ethanol is also suffering from overproduction, which has led to a glut and low prices at the same time ethanol refiners are paying more for corn to produce ethanol.</div><div><br />Yet none of these measures will significantly reduce global warming, our dependence on imported oil or smog. And we hate sounding like gloom and doom deep ecology eco extremists. But we thought you should know.</div></div>James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-20011280984387181002007-06-26T11:02:00.001-07:002007-06-26T12:12:32.149-07:00Midwest In Center Of Energy Bill Tax Incentives<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/RoFlE10jaQI/AAAAAAAAAAM/YFIA5J9tunM/s1600-h/Ethanol2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080452988492015874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/RoFlE10jaQI/AAAAAAAAAAM/YFIA5J9tunM/s200/Ethanol2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont) is considering tax incentives for the <a href="http://aaenvironment.blogspot.com/2007/06/energy-legislation-moving-inside.html">energy bill</a> being debated on the Senate floor this week. Vehicles and coal, Midwest staples, are front and center. Fuel economiy standards and coal-to-liquids are getting lobbied from supporters and opponents, along with other clean energy proposals. Automakers want to weaken proposla to significantly increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The legislation proposes about 46 mpg, automakers say they 'could' do 'maybe' 36 mpg and AAEA wants about 40 mpg.<br /><br />The Coal to Liquids Coalition, a consortium of coal producers, unions, airlines and railroads, wants $200 million in investment tax credits to help in building 12 coal-to-liquid (CTL) refineries. AAEA supports coal-to-liquids mostly for military use, although we want CO2 sequestration from these plants and we support Senator Barck Obama's <a href="http://aaenvironment.blogspot.com/2007/01/barack-obama-supports-coal.html">legislation</a> (notwithstanding his <a href="http://aaenvironment.blogspot.com/2007/06/environmentalists-bragging-about-taming.html">clarification</a>). AAEA also believes CTL producers should be required to finance nuclear plants, solar power and wind turbines as carbon dioxide offsets.<br />The total energy bill tax incentives package for cleaner energy sources, ethanol, animal fat diesel, CTL, fuel economy standards and more will be about $14 billion over 10 years. (The Wall Street Journal, 6-18-07)</div>James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-38034545121079267182007-06-26T11:00:00.000-07:002007-06-26T12:13:28.597-07:00Midwest Ethanol Prodcuers Will Have To Consolidate?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/RoFlP10jaRI/AAAAAAAAAAU/FIA_a-jseZs/s1600-h/ethanol3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080453177470576914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/RoFlP10jaRI/AAAAAAAAAAU/FIA_a-jseZs/s320/ethanol3.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Ethanol is problematic because most American cars can only use about a 10% blend with regular gasoline and it cannot be moved via pipeline like gasoline because of it corrosiveness. Most ethanol is shipped from the Midwest by rail to terminals. So what is the ethanol industry to do? Consolidate? Possibly. There is also the expensive proposition of building specially constructed ethanol pipelines. Brazil is considering such pipelines.<br /><br />Archer-Daniels-Midlands (ADM) controls about 20% of U.S. ethanol capacity. Small farmer-owned ethanol producers account for about a third of the market with midsize companes make up the rest. Some of these midsize companeis include: Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc, US BioEnergy Corp, and VeraSun Energy Corp. In order to increase market penetration the ethanol industry might have to bulk up by partnering up. There is also the question of purchasing or building an ethanol plant. An acquisition costs about $2.30 per gallon and building a new facility is about $2.00 per gallon. (The Wall Street Journal, 6-18-07)</div>James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-91930125868607486872007-06-26T10:53:00.000-07:002007-06-26T12:25:33.380-07:00E85 Biofuel Needs More Cars and More Stations<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/RoFoH10jaSI/AAAAAAAAAAc/I-rHSKGeqQw/s1600-h/Cars+&+Trucks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080456338566506786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tM3jYkBTJlo/RoFoH10jaSI/AAAAAAAAAAc/I-rHSKGeqQw/s200/Cars+%26+Trucks.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Wall Street Journal reporter Matt Vella drove a FlexFuel Chevrolet Suburban 1,907 miles on a round trip from New York City to Indianapolis to see if it was convenient to use a car that uses 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. His findings: limited availability of flex fuel vehicles, E85 shortcomings but cheaper gas. He found a high concentration of stations that carried E85 in the Midwest, but stations are rare back East.<br /><br />He found other pros and cons. E85 is a renewable energy source, it is cheaper and it provides an alternative to imported oil. E85 has a lower energy content and cuts fuel economy by 30%. Vella found that there weren't many 'cool' vehicles because Midwesterners that purchase most flex vehicles drive larger, less fuel efficieint models like the Ford Crown Victoria, Dodge Durango, Jeep Commander and Saturn Relay. And most of the stations are in middle America.<br />Vella found that the biggest reason people liked E86 was price, not environmental or foreign policy benefits. The highest E85 price was $3.11 in Philadelphia with a low of $2.39 in Moroevill, Pennsylvania. Regular gasoline was $3.50. (The Wall Street Journal, 6-19-07)</div>James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327318459121546950.post-51073705534060848552007-06-26T10:15:00.000-07:002007-11-14T18:22:39.242-08:00Center Establishes Midwestern Office<a href="http://aaenvironment.com/CECELogo.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://aaenvironment.com/CECELogo.gif" border="0" /></a> <div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">James Mosley</span></strong> has agreed to be Director of the Center's Midwest Office. This will enhance Center's outreach and increase our ability to address the issues affecting the Midwest. At the top of this list are ethanol, coal and nuclear power. <a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1p20WdeXKKs/RnbF5LI3lZI/AAAAAAAAAc4/eVeBQ-3oorA/s1600-h/NorrisJamesMoseleyColor.JPG"></a><br /><br />Mosley is an energy expert and a longtime environmentalist. This is an exciting time for us and the country. Mr. Moseley brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to our little organization. We continue to be small but very powerfu<a href="http://aaenvironment.blogspot.com/2007/04/patrick-moore-bias-against-african.html">l</a>.</div>James Mosleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826571902763941261noreply@blogger.com0