Overview of The Food, Conservation & Energy Act of 2008
Posted on May 11, 2009
Filed Under Legislation | Leave a Comment
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246, the 2008 Farm Bill) extends and expands many of the renewable energy programs originally authorized in the 2002 farm bill.
The bill also continues the emphasis on the research and development of advanced and cellulosic bioenergy authorized in the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (P.L. 110-140).
Two brief reports (as pdf downloads) can be found at the Farm Energy News web site (at the top of the Publications page). Click here . . .
Wisconsin awarded federal grants for renewable energy work
Posted on May 11, 2009
Filed Under Finance | Leave a Comment
RENEW Wisconsin and three post-secondary schools captured more than $1 million for projects to help the federal government address market and deployment challenges identified in a 2008 Department of Energy report.
RENEW Wisconsin will use part of the funds to develop a one-stop online source of information for wind developers, state and local policymakers and regulators, and the general public.
The web site will include documents and links to relevant state and federal statutes and rules, facts sheets on everything from aesthetics to court decisions, zoning, and other resources, as well as a calendar of upcoming workshops, seminars, training, briefings, grant opportunities, request-for-proposals, and other relevant events and opportunities. Read more . . .
For a full list of awards and to read the DOE news release, go to: http://www.energy.gov/news2009/print2009/7381.htm.
Soybean Checkoff supports clean towns and cities
Posted on May 7, 2009
Filed Under Biofuels | Leave a Comment
ST. LOUIS (May 6, 2009) – To promote the availability and use of soy biodiesel, the United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff will be enlisting some help this spring. The soybean checkoff will be working with selected U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) Clean Cities chapters to assist in promoting soy biodiesel and soy-based products.
The Clean Cities program is a government-industry partnership sponsored by USDOE and has more than 90 local chapters across the United States. These chapters work in their local areas to reduce petroleum consumption.
“It’s important for the soybean checkoff to demonstrate that we have a cleaner product with soy biodiesel that cities can use in their diesel vehicles without having to make modifications to the fleets,” says Geno Lowe, a soybean farmer from Hebron, Md., and soybean checkoff leader. “Communicating benefits of soy biodiesel helps soybean farmers move more of our product, and it benefits the environment.”
“The research shows it has cleaner emissions, and with the lower sulfur standards in conventional fuel, biodiesel can improve lubricity,” adds Lowe, who uses biodiesel on his farm.
Read more on the Farm Energy News web site. Go to BIOFUELS (in the bottom left-hand column).
Food and crop waste: a valuable biomass feedstock
Posted on May 1, 2009
Filed Under Waste to Energy | Leave a Comment
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), of Washington, D.C., just released a brief fact sheet about the potential availability of food and crop wastes as feedstocks for biofuels.
While the fact sheet wasn’t meant as a comprehensive assessment, the EESI suggests further research is needed to understand and quantify the full potential of unutilized agricultural production and food wastes, particularly in light of the fact that composting firms, feed manufacturers, and other facilities currently use some of this material to produce biofuels. Download the fact sheet . . .
Syngas is making a comeback
Posted on April 29, 2009
Filed Under Biofuels | Leave a Comment
At some later date, I will post some more details about using syngas to power engines. However, in the meantime, you might find these few links interesting about the use of syngas as fuel for engines.
I remember my father, who was born in 1924, talking about how some enterprising farmers were using syngas during World War II to power engines, since gasoline was in short supply and being rationed.
Anyway, I’ll try to post some more information and links when I get the time. For now, try these links on for size:
Trash Crops to Cash Crops (published by Miller-McCune)
All Energies (a web site by a young enterprising couple and fellow contributors who have hands-on experience with syngas power)
And last but not least, here’s an interesting article published in the Jan. 2006 issue of Forest Products Journal (as a downloadable pdf) entitlted: Thermal Energy, Electricity, and Transportation Fuels from Wood. It was written by John I. Zerbe, a retired energy specialist, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wis. Click here . . .
Support for a National Renewable Electricity Standard
Posted on April 28, 2009
Filed Under Legislation | Leave a Comment
In a recent issue of The Topeka Capital-Journal, a southwest Kansas dairy farmer wrote a “letter to the editor” supporting the National Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) that Congress is debating. A vote is expected soon, so write your Representative and express your opinions. Link to the letter . . .
Also, you can submit an on-line petition by going to the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Action Center web page. Click here . . .
Growing Power, Inc.
Posted on April 26, 2009
Filed Under Agriculture | Leave a Comment
Editor’s Note: Here’s an interesting urban farm system group based in Milwaukee, Wis. It’s worth checking into. Below is a short description from its web site. Link to the web site at: Growing Power, Inc.
Growing Power, Inc. transforms communities by supporting people from diverse backgrounds and the environments in which they live through the development of Community Food Systems. These systems provide high-quality, safe, healthy, affordable food for all residents in the community. Growing Power develops Community Food Centers, as a key component of Community Food Systems, through training, active demonstration, outreach, and technical assistance.
Will Allen, chief executive officer, says: “If people can grow safe, healthy, affordable food, if they have access to land and clean water, this is transformative on every level in a community. I believe we cannot have healthy communities without a healthy food system.”
Our goal is a simple one: to grow food, to grow minds, and to grow community. Growing Power began with a farmer, a plot of land, and a core group of dedicated young people. Today, our love of the land and our dedication to sharing knowledge are changing lives.
Did You Know?
Posted on April 26, 2009
Filed Under Interesting Videos | Leave a Comment
A thought-provoking video, to say the least.
« go back — keep looking »