More Renewable Fuel Headed for Your Tank

EPA is raising the 2008 renewable fuels standard (RFS), which determines how much non-petroleum fuel will power your vehicle, to 7.76 percent. The move is in response to the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), which President Bush signed in December.

Last November, EPA announced a RFS of 4.66 percent, based on previous law, that mandated at least 5.4 billion gallons of renewable fuels be blended into the nation's transportation fuels this year. However, EPA is now increasing the standard to 7.76 percent to comply with the new minimum of 9.0 billion gallons of renewable fuel that EISA requires.

EISA increases the overall volume of renewable fuels that must be blended each year, reaching 36 billion gallons in 2022. To achieve these volumes, EPA annually calculates the percentage-based standard, which applies to refiners, importers and non-oxygenate blenders of gasoline.

Based on the standard, each of these parties determines the minimum volume of renewable fuel that it must use. The RFS program creates new markets for farm products, increases energy security, and promotes the development of advanced technologies that would expand the production of renewable fuels.

See the Source:
EPA - Renewable Fuels

energy

53 Fortune 500 Corporations Surpass EPA Green Power Goals

In response to EPA’s nationwide challenge issued in December 2006, 53 Fortune 500 corporations are now collectively purchasing more than six billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually. These purchases surpassed the goals set by EPA’s Green Power Partnership by 130 percent and equal the avoided carbon dioxide emissions of more than 570 million gallons of gasoline each year or the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 670,000 average American homes annually.

“EPA applauds our Fortune 500 partners for protecting our environment by purchasing green power,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “By voluntarily shifting to renewable energy, EPA’s environmental partners are proving you don’t need to wait for a signal in order to go green.”

Intel Corporation leads the group as the top buyer with a purchase of 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours per year. PepsiCo is second, followed by Wells Fargo & Company, Whole Foods Market, The Pepsi Bottling Group, and Johnson & Johnson. Cisco Systems and Kohl’s Department Stores recently made sizable purchase increases to place them at seventh and eighth on the list, respectively. Rounding out the top ten green power purchases are Starbucks and DuPont Company.

EPA's Green Power Partnership works with more than 850 partner organizations to buy green power voluntarily as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use and to support the development of new, renewable generation resources nationwide. Overall, EPA Green Power Partners are buying more than 13 billion kWh of green power annually.

Green power is generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and biogas, as well as low-impact hydropower. Green power resources produce electricity with an environmental profile superior to conventional power technologies and produce no net increase to greenhouse gas emissions.

Top Ten Partner Organizations in the EPA's Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge:

1. Intel Corp.

2. PepsiCo.

3. Wells Fargo & Comp.

4. Whole Foods Market

5. The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.

6. Johnson & Johnson

7. Cisco Systems, Inc.

8. Kohl's Department Stores

9. Starbucks

10. DuPont Company

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energy

Energy Bill Blocked in Senate

One day after the U.S. House of Representatives passed an historic energy bill that would put the country on a path to cleaner energy, lower energy demand, and reducing dependency on oil, the Senate blocked progress on the bill. Led by a several Senators, and supporters of the coal and oil industry, the bill failed to reach the 60 votes necessary to pass.

A revised bill is expected to return to the Senate floor by the end of this week, minus some renewable energy provisions.

See the Source:

Inside Renewable Energy

current issues
energy

Governor Richardson Challenges Bush Response to Global Warming

Richardson to unveil a bold new energy plan which will revolutionize America's fight against global warming and for energy independence at speech to the New American Foundation on Thursday, May 17th in Washington, DC

SANTA FE, NM – May 15, 2007 -- Governor Bill Richardson today challenged President Bush's response to the Supreme Court ruling requiring federal agencies to regulate vehicle emissions.

"The 'debate' on global warming is over and the Supreme Court has ordered this administration to stop dragging its feet and act," stated Governor Richardson. "My state joined twelve other states to challenge the Bush Administration to enforce the Clean Air Act and fought them all the way to the Supreme Court--and won. President Bush's decision to drag out the vehicle emission rulemaking process over the next two years rebuffs the Supreme Court's ruling and rejects the reality and urgency of global warming.

"This is a timid action, when America and the world needs bold action. My approach to solving our energy and global warming problem is market-based. I would use the engine of the market to drive bold and quick innovation. Our top priorities need to be focusing on a sharp reduction in oil demand, creating dramatic energy efficiencies, reducing greenhouse gases and restoring America as a leader in technology and science."

As Energy Secretary, he pushed for aggressive energy efficiency standards, conservation in the midst of the California electricity crisis, a national renewable portfolio standard, and development of alternative vehicles.

As Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson has initiated mandates requiring utilities to meet renewable energy requirements, supported generous solar tax incentives, eliminated sales taxes on hybrid vehicles, and set aggressive targets to reduce global warming pollution. New Mexico is on track to exceed the Kyoto Protocols and has become the Clean Energy State.

"Our next President must sharply reduce American demand for fossil fuels that add to greenhouse gas concentrations," said Richardson. "By doing so, the U.S. will reclaim its ability to participate in - and lead - international agreements to slow, stop, and reverse climate change trends. The United States cannot lead the world, and will not have the support of the world's people, unless it gets its energy addiction under control, and joins the world effort to take real steps reducing global warming pollution.

"We have no choice, but to make a change and fast. At peak, we now import 65% of our oil. We send about $300 billion in petrodollars to foreign countries every year. Our economy is half as energy-efficient as Japan's or Western Europe's. With 5% of the world's population, we account for 25% of global warming pollution.

In a speech to the New American Foundation Thursday morning at 10:00 am at the Washington Hilton, Monroe Room, 1919 Connecticut Avenue in Washington, DC Governor Richardson will unveil his comprehensive plan for energy and reducing global warming. The Governor's aggressive proposals directly address critical issues facing the United States- vehicle fuel efficiency, fuels made from renewable resources, green building standards, greenhouse gas emissions, and shifting the economy from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

"Baby steps and incremental measures won't work. We need to act boldly, and act now. We need a "man-on-the-moon effort"- a strong national commitment to get it done," said Richardson. "President Kennedy exhorted the nation to put a man on the moon within ten years, not 20 or 30. The nation responded to that call. We can do the same with energy and global warming.

"So what we need today is a ten-year plan to reduce our dependence on oil by 50%, and a ten-year plan to reduce our global warming pollution by at least 20%. As President, I will implement a bold plan that meets these goals and ushers in a new era of energy independence and security for the United States."

See the Source:
Nhpols.com – Campaigns & Elections

climate change
global-warming
current issues

The Greening of the Ivy League

The EPA has crowned the Ivy League as the overall champion conference of the College & University Green Power Challenge for 2006-2007, beating out 15 other collegiate athletic conferences. NYU won individual school honors for purchasing more green power than any other school in the competition.

"EPA applauds this year's College & University Green Power Conference Champions for their leadership in green power purchasing," said Bill Wehrum, EPA's acting assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. "EPA hopes this year's competition inspires schools around the nation to participate in the 2007-2008 EPA College & University Green Power Challenge. Buying green power is a great way to demonstrate that what's good for the environment is also good for higher education."

Since April 2006, EPA's Green Power Partnership has ranked conferences by the quantity of green power purchased by their respective colleges and universities. These conferences must have schools that qualify as EPA Green Power Partners and make a collective green power purchase of at least 10 million kWh conference-wide in order to be eligible for the challenge. The 33 schools and 16 conferences taking part in this year's challenge are buying more than 750 million kWh of green power. EPA estimates that this amount of green power is equal to the electricity needed to power more than 60,000 average American homes each year.

Leading the Ivy League was the University of Pennsylvania followed by Harvard and Yale, with a collective purchase totaling more than 140 million kWh of green power.

Green power is produced from eligible renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. Green power is considered cleaner than conventional sources of electricity, has a superior environmental profile to conventional power, and does not contribute additional carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. Buying green power has proven to be an excellent strategy for colleges and universities across the country to reduce the environmental impact of their purchased electricity, while allowing them to tie environmental action to the educational mission of the school.

See the Source:
EPA - College and University Green Power Challenge

What is the Green Power Partnership?

An EPA initiative, The Green Power Partnership encourages organizations, schools, communities and businesses to buy green power to lessen the environmental impact of standard electrical use which usually emits greenhouse gases. When your company or organization becomes a Green Power Partner you purchase renewable energy for part or all of your energy needs. Renewable energy resources include: solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro generate green power. Green power resources are categorized as producing electricity with zero human-caused emissions, has a superior environmental profile compared to conventional power generation, and was built after the beginning of the voluntary market (Jan. 1, 1997).

An example of a recent Green Power Partner is the Fitgerald Auto Malls in Maryland - the first auto dealership in the US to purchase wind power for 100% of their energy needs.

To learn more on how to become a Green Power Partner, visit the EPA website at
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/

See the Source:
Fitzgerald Auto Malls “Go Green”

States on Track to Cut Emissions

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) says that 21 states, along with the District of Columbia are on track to reduce their global warming emissions by 108 million metric tons (MMT) of carbon dioxide by 2020, through the use of adopting renewable electricity standards. The emission cuts are equal to taking 17.7 million cars off the road.

Three states in particular (Colorado, Minnesota and New Mexico) are over the 100 MMT milestone.

UCS estimates that by 2020, state standards will produce more than 46,000 megawatts of clean, renewable power. This will be enough to meet the needs of 28.5 million households.

With the success of state renewable energy standards, the UCS says momentum is building for a federal standard of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020.

See the Source:

Union of Concerned Scientists

Town, City, University to Use Biodiesel Fuel

Illustrating their commitment to sustaining the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Town of Blacksburg, City of Roanoke, and Virginia Tech are converting their diesel fuel-powered public works and facilities vehicles and power equipment to biodiesel fuel — a cleaner-burning, renewable diesel fuel replacement made primarily from soybean oil.

The biodiesel initiative is tied to the Town of Blacksburg and City of Roanoke’s membership in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) — Local Governments for Sustainability. Members of ICLEI agree to complete a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, formulate an action plan for greenhouse gas mitigation, and implement the changes and monitor the resulting progress.

The City of Roanoke has converted 365 pieces of equipment – 100 percent of its diesel vehicles and equipment – to biodiesel. This includes school buses, trucks, fire trucks, front-end loaders as well as assorted smaller equipment. The Town of Blacksburg plans to convert 100 percent of its Public Works Department diesel powered fleet by August 2007. Virginia Tech will also convert the majority of its Physical Plant Operations fleet to biodiesel by August.

City of Roanoke among pioneers of renewable resources in Southwest Virginia
The City of Roanoke began using B2 biodiesel fuel in December 2006 in diesel powered fleet vehicles and Roanoke City School buses. B2 is a blending of two percent biodiesel and 98 percent diesel fuel.

“Protecting the environment is one of the most important issues in Southwest Virginia and in America today,” said Harris. “This action taken by Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, and Roanoke is a significant step in the right direction. The use of biodiesel will help us reduce the carbon footprint in the Roanoke Valley and New River Valley.”

Town of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech partner in B20 biodiesel conversion
Virginia Tech will work closely with the Town of Blacksburg in support of the Cool Cities Coalition (http://www.coolcities.us/) initiative. Combined, the Town of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech will convert more than 70 diesel fueled vehicles and equipment to B20 biodiesel fuel – a blend of 20 percent by volume biodiesel with 80 percent by volume petroleum diesel.

B20 biodiesel has demonstrated significant environmental benefits with a minimum increase in cost. Use of biodiesel fuel reduces environmentally harmful emissions. This biodegradable, low toxicity fuel is a fully renewable energy source produced in the United States.

“We’re honored to share this biodiesel initiative with the City of Roanoke and Virginia Tech” said Rordam. “The environment is everyone’s responsibility and it’s through partnerships such as these that we will make an indelible impact on the future for generations to come.”

The Town of Blacksburg will convert more than 50 fleet vehicles and equipment to B20 biodiesel. The Town plans to utilize an existing compartmentalized 10,000 gallon above ground fuel storage tank with two 5,000 gallon storage sections and separate dispensing pumps for the biodiesel initiative, with one 5,000 gallon section dedicated to biodiesel fuel and the other to diesel.

The town is also considering a proposal to convert Blacksburg Transit (BT) vehicles to the alternative fuel source. BT will initiate a pilot project with one van this summer and a bus in August, before deciding to convert the entire fleet.

Virginia Tech plans to convert approximately 20 vehicles used by Physical Plant Operations to biodiesel fuel by August 2007. In addition, the university plans to convert some off-road equipment (large lawn mowers, for example) once the conversion of these vehicles is complete.

“Virginia Tech is committed to creating a sustainable environment both on and off campus,” said James Hyatt, Virginia Tech’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We welcome the opportunity to partner with local municipalities in hopes of broadening the positive impact on the environment through this biodiesel initiative.”

Initially, Virginia Tech will fuel its newly converted biodiesel vehicles and equipment at the Town of Blacksburg’s fuel tank. Webb Oil Corporation of Roanoke will supply B20 biodiesel fuel to the town and the university. B20 biodiesel fuel is typically slightly more expensive than regular diesel fuel.

Blacksburg joins Alexandria, Charlottesville, Richmond, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg as those municipalities in Virginia participating in the Cool Cities initiative.

To announce the initiative, the Town of Blacksburg, City of Roanoke and Virginia Tech will host an environmental celebration at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17 in Blacksburg. The event will be held at the Five Chimney’s Lawn (corner of Washington Street and Draper Road). Roanoke Mayor Nelson Harris, Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam, and Larry Hincker, associate vice president for university relations at Virginia Tech, will announce the biodiesel initiative. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Blacksburg Police Department Training Room (200 Clay Street).

See the Source:
VirginiaTech
Cool Cities Coalition

Presidential Contender, Gov. Richardson Enacts Major Clean Energy Bills in New Mexico

Governor Bill Richardson wants to make New Mexico the “Clean Energy State” and has recently enacted four state bills that promote investment in clean electricity generation and reduction in New Mexico’s dependence on foreign oil. In the past he has aggressively promoted wind power, solar energy and biofuels, as well as new technologies being developed in New Mexico to provide clean energy and emissions control technology.

“These bills will keep New Mexico’s rapidly growing clean energy economy moving forward,” said Governor Richardson. “New Mexico is showing that we can create jobs through spurring significant investment in electricity generation from our world-class solar and wind resources, promoting advanced coal technologies, building more efficient homes and offices, and increasing the production and use of biodiesel.”

Bills recently signed are as follows:

SB 994 (Cisneros) Advanced Energy Tax Credit
Is the first tax credit in the nation to cover carbon capture technology and include specific capture goals for coal-fired power plants.

SB 489 (Ortiz y Pino) Biodiesel Blend Required by 2012
Requires by 2012 that 5% of every gallon of diesel fuel sold in New Mexico come from an agricultural source.

HB 318 (Wirth) Power plant mercury emissions control
Protects New Mexico citizens from the damaging effects of mercury pollution by passing higher state standards than allowed by the federal government.

SB 463 (Cisneros) Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Amendments
Contains six tax incentives to promote clean energy.

“These vital pieces of legislation will work hand in glove with the other major clean energy bills I enacted earlier this session – the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority and the quadrupling of the Renewable Portfolio Standard – to continue to make New Mexico the nation’s Clean Energy State,” said Governor Richardson.

See the Source:
Office of New Mexico Governor Richardson

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About a New Mexico company at the forefront of emissions control technology

EU’s Environmental Endeavors

The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance heard the testimony of Ambassador John Bruton this week, outlining the European Union’s energy policy objectives.

With the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting energy dependency, the Ambassador stated several EU policies such as energy taxation, the EU emission trading system, and a plan for sustainable coal technologies.

"Although EU energy policy is far from being created from scratch - a number of energy efficiency and renewables promotion measures date back more than 10 years - it is just recently that the EU has opted for a comprehensive, integrated and ambitious policy set in the field of energy and fight against climate change," said Ambassador Bruton, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the United States, during testimony.

He continued "the EU’s increasing dependency on imports threatens not only its security of supply but it also implies higher prices, if, for example, the price of oil rises to $100 per barrel in today’s money, the EU's energy import bill will be around 50 percent higher by 2030. While Europeans would have to pay a lot more for their energy, few additional jobs in the EU would be created this way. In contrast, boosting investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy and new technologies has wide-reaching benefits and would contribute to the EU’s strategy for growth and jobs."

Addressing the common situation of the EU and United States’ energy situation, Ambassador Bruton concluded "…that in order to ensure a sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply, a common response is needed."

See the Source:
Ambassador Bruton’s testimony

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Clean Energy Projects Turn Landfills into Community Assets

(Washington, D.C. - Jan. 24, 2007) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the accomplishments of numerous landfill methane partners who are generating clean, renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"Across the nation, EPA is helping transform landfill waste into energy wealth," said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "We are recognizing partners who have demonstrated superior innovation and environmental achievement in advancing landfill gas energy projects."

Methane, a primary component of landfill gas, is a greenhouse gas that is over 20 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program has assisted in developing more than 325 landfill gas projects in the past 12 years, reducing methane emissions by about 90 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Nationwide, there are more than 400 projects in operation, and in 2006 alone, these projects provided over 10 billion kilowatt hours of electricity and 75 billion cubic feet of landfill gas to corporate and government end users. These projects produced energy equivalent to powering roughly 780,000 homes and heating nearly 1.2 million homes, turning the landfills into community assets.

EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program is a voluntary assistance and partnership program that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by supporting landfill gas energy project development. The program also assists countries throughout the world in developing landfill methane reduction projects through the international Methane to Markets Partnership.
Landfill Methane Outreach Program award winners:

Project of the Year: Jackson County Green Energy Park, N.C. – Landfill gas will be used to help heat local businesses and help produce biodiesel made from rapeseed grown by local farmers and sold to the National Park Service.

Project of the Year: Lancaster County and Turkey Hill Dairy, Pa. – The facility's landfill gas-fueled engines produce enough clean energy to power 2,000 homes and steam for Turkey Hill Dairy, maker of ice cream, milk, and tea products.

Project of the Year: Jefferson Parish and Cytec Industries Inc., La. – With Hurricanes Katrina and Rita striking during project construction, the project partners had to overcome substantial obstacles to bring landfill gas to fuel the Cytec plant and economic benefits to the region.
Project of the Year: Jenkins Brick Company, Ala. – The new $56 million dollar state-of-the-art brick manufacturing plant is the first major manufacturing facility located specifically to take advantage of local landfill gas, which will be used to help power brick kilns.

Community Partner of the Year: DeKalb County, Ga. – The county provided funding and vision in the development of a project that overcame political and institutional barriers to bring clean energy to Atlanta area residences and businesses.

Energy Partner of the Year: BMW Manufacturing, S.C. – BMW expanded its landfill gas project used for powering and heating its plant to fueling its paint shop operations, becoming the first company in the world to do so.

Energy Partner of the Year: Murray City Power, Utah – By creating a unique project financing structure, Murray City Power uses landfill gas from the Salt Lake Valley Solid Waste Management Facility to generate three megawatts of green electricity for the Salt Lake City region, powering about 2,000 homes.

State Partner of the Year: Delaware Solid Waste Authority, Del. – DSWA is generating electricity from landfill gas at every viable landfill in the state.

See the Source:
Landfill Methane Outreach Program