CHI Bite: Fast and Dirty

	Mar 04, 2008
	Fast and Dirty If 10,000 Chicago Biters replace one 100W light bulb with a CFL, we'll reduce the amount of CO2 that 1,000 SUVs emit in a year. The UK's 1,000-year-old Dunster Castle is now heated by solar panels located on its battlements. The Bite Got piles of laundry but no time to do it? Face it, your jeans are gonna get up and start walking without you. Take the entire heap for a speedy spin at the World's Largest Laundromat in Berwyn, where high-tech Dexter washing machines tumble your togs at 100 g's, cutting dryer time in half. WLL already scored points with us for having innovative solar thermal water heaters, but it also just retro-fitted its lighting system with reflectors to cut down on bulbs (CFLs to boot). Since it's conveniently open 24/7 (we bet the washers really open up around 4 a.m.), the new lighting rig is expected to save 85,000 lb of CO2 each year (enough to fly you and your laundry across the country 16 times). Oh, and did we mention the free donuts? Looks like you have time for laundry after all... Wanna Try? World's Largest Laundromat, 6246 W. Cermak Road b/t 57th and 58th Aves., Berwyn (708-749-1545). Wash cycle, $2/load; speed dry cycle, $0.25/10 min. LIKE THIS BITE? TRY THESE: The Cold Water Wash Tip The Bleach Tip Enter to win a newly designed Biter Bottle just by taking our little 22-question survey – plus, vote on the new Biter Bottle design! Be adored even more... send your friends this tip. - SPONSOR -

PRESS KIT | ADVERTISE | CONTACT US | EDITORIAL POLICY | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS

03/03/2008 Wind, Energy, & Hydrogen News

FPL's wind turbine project gets $2.5M grant
Fort Pierce Tribune (subscription) - Fort Pierce,FL,USA
LUCIE COUNTY — Florida Power & Light Co. received a major boost to its wind turbine project Tuesday as the company was awarded a $2.5 million state grant. ...
See all stories on this topic

Boswell, Harkin won't take sides on power plants
DesMoinesRegister.com - Des Moines,IA,USA
... the country needs to move aggressively to conserve energy and increase use of alternative energy sources, such as wind, solar, biofuels and hydrogen. ...
See all stories on this topic

Energy-industry veteran presses for renewables
Denver Post - Denver,CO,USA
Big solar and wind backed up by natural gas is a safer, cheaper alternative for society. We tell Iran they can't build a nuclear power plant because the ...
See all stories on this topic

Xcel can capture wind power – now it seeks to store energy
Twin Cities Finance and Commerce - Minneapolis,MN,USA
A wind-to-hydrogen test operating south of Boulder, Colo., since December 2006 has produced positive early results, Novachek said. Producing liquid hydrogen ...
See all stories on this topic

AWEA Small Wind Update: March 3, 2008

Dear AWEA Small Wind Turbine Committee,

Here is this month’s latest news in the small wind industry:

1. Tomorrow: Zoning Webinar for Small Wind

2. Small Wind Conference and Renewable Energy Fair

3. BWEA Publishes Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard

4. Illinois introduces small-wind grant program

5. Illinois introduces feed-in tariff bill benefitting small wind

6. Colorado introduces small-wind rebate program

7. Net metering bill introduced in Kansas legislature

8. Small Wind Events Calendar

_______________________

1. Zoning Webinar for Small Wind: The Importance of Tower Height

The American Solar Energy Society's Small Wind Division will host the second in a series of webinars on zoning for small wind tomorrow, Tuesday, March 4th, 2008, at 1:00 pm EST. This webinar will offer interested small wind installers, potential buyers, advocates, and decision-makers, and others the opportunity to learn about the importance of tower height to small wind systems (up to 100 kW) and the implications for zoning. Mick Sagrillo of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association will provide an overview.

WEBINAR ACCESS:

Visual access on the Web:
1. Go to URL: https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PG9498222&p=9495851&t=c
[The link above takes you to https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join/ and automatically enters the Conference Number (PG9498222) and the Audience Passcode (9495851).]
2. Enter your name and e-mail address
3. Indicate that you have read the Privacy Policy.
4. Click on Proceed.
5. Download plug-in if necessary. You may need to click on proceed again.
(We recommend that you perform this login procedure a few minutes ahead of time to allow for the software download if you have not used MyMeetings before.)

Audio access by telephone:
USA Toll Free Number: (888) 391-6748
Participant Passcode: 9495851

Questions contact Megan Amsler of the ASES Small Wind Division at reliance@reliance.org

2. MREA Small Wind Power Conference Now Accepting Proposals

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s (MREA) annual small wind conference is now accepting proposals for presentations. The conference, held June 17-18, 2008 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, brings together manufactures, installers and policy makers to address issues surrounding small wind systems. Proposals are due to Mick Sagrillo msagrillo@wizunwired.net by March 7th.

Small wind is defined as turbines 1 - 100 kilowatts (kW) and presentations should be limited to 15 minutes, with an additional five minutes for questions.

“Preference will go to 'experienced based' presentations; problems encountered in the field and how they were addressed or remedied; experience with new equipment, turbines, towers, and inverters; maintenance and repair histories; and anything that will be of value to wind installers or advancing the small wind industries understanding of siting, the wind resource, equipment in general, interconnection, insurance, zoning, etc.”

Presentations for, or pending for, AWEA or ASES programs are also acceptable.

Immediately following the conference will be the MREA’s 19th Annual Energy Fair, scheduled for June 20-22 2008 in Custer, WI.

To register for either event, or for more information, see http://the-mrea.org/smallwind.php

3. BWEA Publishes Small Wind Standard

The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) has published its performance and safety standard into the public domain with a publication date of 29 Feb 2008. It is now available at http://www.boost-energy.com/UserFiles/Downloads/BWEA_SWT_Cert_Std_29_Feb_08_.pdf

4. Illinois Announces $100,000+ in Grants For Small Wind

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has initiated a grant program for small wind turbines 100 kilowatts and under. Qualifying projects may be eligible for grants covering up to 50% of the cost of a system, capped at $25,000.

For more information, see http://www.eere.energy.gov/states/state_news_detail.cfm/news_id=10965/state=IL or http://www.agr.state.il.us/.

5. Illinois Introduces Bill for Advanced Renewable Tariffs

A new bill introduced into the Illinois state legislature on February 15 calls for a system of Advanced Renewable (“Feed-In”) Tariffs to encourage development of a number of renewable energy technologies, including small wind.

Bill HB 5855 would establish a fixed price per kilowatt-hour at which a utility must compensate a generator (such as a small wind turbine owner) for electricity produced in excess of on-site consumption. The tariff, or rate, proposed for small wind systems is up to $0.025 USD/kWh.

Illinois joins Michigan, California, Rhode Island, and Minnesota as the first states to introduce such legislation.

HB 5855 Full Text http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=51&GA=95&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum=5855&GAID=9&LegID=37530&SpecSess=&Session=

HB 5855 Bill Status http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=5855&GAID=9&GA=95&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=37530&SessionID=51

6. Colorado Announces New Small Wind Incentive

A new incentive program in Colorado will use Clean Energy Funds to provide financial incentives for homeowners and business owners to install small wind systems.

The program is offered by the Governor's Energy Office (GEO), which will partner with interested cities, municipalities, utilities, and non-profits by offering matching grants for wind turbine installations. GEO will award approximately eight matched grants of $25,000 and the program will facilitate 40 small wind energy installations throughout the state.

Details include:

o $25,000 maximum matching grant from GEO - $25,000 or greater match from the recipient is required

o Rebates will be paid for up to 10 kilowatts (kW) of installed DC capacity per installation, including systems larger than 10 kW

o Rebates will not exceed 50% of the total cost of the project, or $10,000

o Wind systems must be grid-tied and net metered by the interconnecting utility. Stand alone systems are not eligible

o Incentive will be $1/Watt DC from the partner and $1/Watt DC from GEO, totaling $2/Watt

For more information, visit GEO's website, www.colorado.gov/energy.

7. Net Metering Bill Introduced in Kansas

A bill recently introduced into the Kansas State Legislature, HB 2881, would institute a “net metering” program that would allow owners of small wind systems and other on-site renewables to receive fair, retail credit from their utility for any electricity they produce that they cannot use. The text of the bill can be found at http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2881.pdf.

8. Small Wind events calendar

For a comprehensive list of small-wind events around the country, see the Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America site at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/calendar.asp

Ron Stimmel

Small-Wind Advocate

American Wind Energy Association

1101 14th St. Nw, 12th Floor

Washington, D.C. 20005

Ph: (202) 383-2546

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, or wish to be unsubscribed from this list, please reply to this e-mail or send a message to rstimmel@awea.org.

Biodiesel Bulletin - March 3, 2008

In This Issue March 2008 NBB Encourages Participation to Ensure Sustainable Biodiesel House Approves Energy Tax Package Biodiesel RINs Help Meet Renewable Fuel Standards NBAC Welcomes Two BQ-9000 Producers National Biodiesel Board Names to Know Opportunity with NBB: Biodiesel Technical Engineer Cool Honors for a Colorado City’s Biodiesel Use; CO Fleets Using Biodiesel California-based Rotten Robbie Sees Benefits of Selling Biodiesel
		NBB Encourages Participation to Ensure Sustainable Biodiesel Sustainability has always been a key priority for those in the biodiesel industry. Whether sustainability is measured in terms of climate change and the environment or economic and energy security for the country, the industry prides itself on the sustainability of biodiesel. The National Biodiesel Board and its supporters recently find themselves involved in more conversations about sustainability as interest has grown among the public and the media. The Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), recently expanded under the 2007 Energy Bill, includes a requirement that specifies biomass-based diesel fuels must meet a threshold of 50% carbon reduction over petroleum. Soy-based biodiesel, which comprises most of the biodiesel in the US, reduces carbon dioxide by 78%. Other feedstocks, such as recycled greases, have even higher carbon reductions. The NBB is committed to comprehensive research to correctly characterize the carbon and energy balance of new feedstocks to ensure biodiesel can meet the increasing demand and continues to be a sustainable and renewable fuel. Sustainability includes much more than carbon life-cycle analysis. To coordinate the many policies and strategies for sustainable biodiesel, the NBB has established a Sustainability Task Force. The task force will look at ways that NBB can support efforts to ensure the world’s resources are used responsibly for biofuels production. At the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo last month, NBB chair Ed Hegland appointed Emily Bockian Landsburg of the Energy Cooperative and Philadelphia Fry-O-Diesel as the chair of the new Sustainability Task Force. Now, Landsburg and NBB task force staff assistant Don Scott are welcoming applications of NBB member companies to the task force. Anyone, including non-members, can nominate candidates for the group. An advisory committee to the task force is being established as a formal way to engage key experts who are not members of NBB, and individuals can provide their input by writing to sustainability@biodiesel.org. Applications to be on the task force are due by close of business March 5. To find out more about this process, please see NBB’s sustainability Web site at www.biodiesel.org/aboutnbb. back to top House Approves Energy Tax Package On Wed., Feb. 27, the U.S. House approved H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008, by a 236 – 182 margin. The legislation is very similar to the energy tax package approved by the House in August of last year. H.R. 5351 would extend the biodiesel tax incentive for two years through 12/31/10; properly define co-processed renewable diesel as not qualifying for the $1 per gallon renewable diesel tax incentive; and would retroactively deny the tax incentive for so-called “splash and dash” transactions. Like the August 2007 House Energy Bill, the legislation as drafted would also deny the credit for exported fuels. The August bill denied these credits upon enactment. H.R. 5351 pushes the prohibition on claiming the credits for exports to back to December 31, 2008, to correspond with the duration of the current law tax incentive. The measure’s fate in the Senate is unclear, and the Administration has previously issued a veto threat based on the revenue-raising measures included in the bill. back to top Biodiesel RINs Help Meet Renewable Fuel Standards The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in February published the new Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2008. The Federal Register outlined that 9 billion gallons of renewable fuels are going to be required to meet the 7.76 percent RFS in 2008. The petroleum sector is preparing for compliance with the updated RFS and must secure enough infrastructure to move renewable fuels in the marketplace. Every gallon of renewable fuel that is produced or imported into the United States is assigned a renewable identification number (RIN). Refiners, blenders and importers must acquire sufficient RINs to demonstrate compliance with their volume obligation. "Biodiesel RINs offer 'safe' RINs for the petroleum industry," said Joe Jobe, National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO. "First, biodiesel will exceed the 20 percent lifecycle greenhouse gas reduction requirements for the base renewable fuel mandate in 2009. In fact, according to a USDA/DOE life cycle study, soy-based biodiesel has a 78% carbon dioxide reduction. Second, biodiesel can be used in 2008 and the RINs can be safely carried forward to 2009, which means the RINs can be sold or purchased without fear of whether or not they will be valid." The Clean Air Act, as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), requires the EPA Administrator to annually determine an RFS. It applies to refiners, importers and certain blenders of gasoline. On the basis of this standard, each obligated party determines the volume of renewable fuel that it must use. In 2008, the NBB anticipates the domestic biodiesel industry will produce more than 500 million gallons or at least 750 million compliant RINs, which can be used by the petroleum sector to meet its RFS requirements in both 2008 and 2009. back to top NBAC Welcomes Two BQ-9000 Producers Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC, and Innovation Fuels have become BQ-9000 Producers from the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission. Iowa Renewable Energy (IRE) is located in Washington, Iowa, and Innovation Fuels is located in New York. They are the most recent additions to BQ-9000 - a voluntary quality assurance program that provides confidence that biodiesel produced at the facility will consistently meet the ASTM D 6751 specification for biodiesel. There is also a marketer program under BQ-9000. “The industry is way beyond the ‘Mom, Pop, and French Fry’ stage. BQ-9000 is industry-recognized as the standard for quality,” said Alan Yoder, general manager. “One little mistake by one producer can destroy the reputation of the whole industry. I’ve heard some say they don’t need to go through the expense to make biodiesel through the BQ-9000 program. I say they can’t afford not to.” Bob Lindenbaum, Chief Marketing Officer of Innovation Fuels, agrees. "BQ-9000 has become the quality program recognized as the industry standard, giving confidence to prospective and current customers. We have understood the importance the BQ-9000 quality program since our inception." Iowa Renewable Energy, a member of the Renewable Energy Group, Inc., network, is the fifth REG network plant to receive BQ-9000 certification. back to top National Biodiesel Board Names to Know As new leadership recently took the reins of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) governing board through chair Ed Hegland, here is a quick guide on some of NBB’s other leadership - its committee chairs: Jess Hewitt, CEO, President, Gulf Hydrocarbon, will oversee the Marketing Committee. Bob Metz, South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, will head up the Technical Committee. Gene Gebolys, President, World Energy, leads the Regulatory Committee. Kris Kappenman, Business Manager Biodiesel, ADM, is the Trade Committee chair. Lisa Ryan, VP, Alterra Bioenergy – Producer Task Force Emily Bockian Landsburg, Manager of Business Development, Philadelphia Fry-O-Diesel – Sustainability Task Force. back to top Opportunity with NBB: Biodiesel Technical Engineer The National Biodiesel Board has an immediate opening for a Technical Engineer in its Jefferson City, Mo., office. Responsibilities include managing biodiesel technical projects, addressing the technical needs of membership, and working with petroleum and biodiesel production companies, blenders, distributors, regulators, and end users. Extensive travel is required. Applicants should have a minimum of a Bachelors degree in engineering, chemistry, or related field. Two to five years of experience in the petroleum or biodiesel industry is preferred. Candidates should have field experience with troubleshooting problems and technical issues in a group setting. The applicant should possess excellent writing skills, and experience working with project budgets and managing deliverables is required. More information on this position is at www.biodiesel.org. Send cover letter, resume with salary history, and three letters of reference by March 15 to: Donnell Rehagen, Chief Operating Officer, National Biodiesel Board, P.O. Box 104898, Jefferson City, Missouri 65110-4898; drehagen@biodiesel.org. back to top Cool Honors for a Colorado City’s Biodiesel Use; CO Fleets Using Biodiesel The City of Colorado Springs, Colo., has been in the spotlight recently for its commitment to biodiesel. In early 2008, the City was named the top municipal biodiesel fleet in the nation by Government Fleet Magazine. It currently uses a B20 blend year-round – cold weather or otherwise. Colorado Springs has been using B20 since 2003. Today, more than 2,400 city vehicles and equipment run on the fuel. As of early 2008, the city had used 1.5 million gallons of B20. The city estimates that this amount is equivalent to over 491 vehicles not being driven for one year, or a reduction of over five million pounds of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. According to Nick Kittle, Fleet Finance Manager for the City of Colorado Springs, using high quality fuel that meets or exceeds the ASTM standard is the key to their success. “We make a point of using only high quality biodiesel fuel purchased from a reputable supplier,” he said. “Colorado can get pretty cold in the winter months and we need to be sure our snow plows, fire engines and other vehicles will operate during a deep freeze. We use a 50% (#2 diesel), 30% (#1 diesel), 20% (biodiesel) additized winter blend that we know we can count on.” In other Colorado news, office products supplier Corporate Express US, Inc., announced recently that it is fueling the majority of its delivery truck fleets in Colorado and Kansas with B20 biodiesel. Blue Sun Biodiesel, based out of Colorado, is supplying the fuel comprised of 20% US oilseed-based biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. A total of 45 trucks are running on B20. back to top California-based Rotten Robbie Sees Benefits of Selling Biodiesel Rotten Robbie, a Bay Area convenience-store chain, recently profiled customers’ views on using biodiesel. Rotten Robbie began selling biodiesel at four locations in March, 2007. The chain’s results showed that when price is the same, many diesel vehicle drivers prefer to fill up with biodiesel. The company owns 34 stores within 100 miles of its San Jose headquarters and, of its biodiesel sites, is selling a B20 blend. In an article that ran recently in several California business journals, Tom Robinson, president of the Robinson Oil Corp., said this about its experience selling biodiesel: "We made it price neutral -- to not drive people to it or away from it. We wanted to see if people actually want it. I've definitely come to conclude there is a demand for it. It's been a success." Rotten Robbie, owned by Robinson Oil Corp., added biodiesel to its lineup because it's something customers say they want and because it can help the environment. Robinson said the company also liked the idea that it helps displace imported oil. back to top Upcoming Events Washington Int.'l Renewable Energy Conference-WIREC March 4-6 Washington, D.C. www.americanrenewables.org Technology Workshop Sponsored by Iowa State University and University of Idaho March 10-14 Moscow, Idaho www.me.iastate.edu/biodiesel Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo 2008 May 11-14, 2008 Rio All-Suite Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada www.afvi.org/NationalConference2008 NBB Board Meeting June 16-18, 2008 Washington, D.C. www.http://members.biodiesel.org Please visit "biodiesel events" on biodiesel.org for more. The Biodiesel Family of Web Sites back to top Contact Us For more information on biodiesel visit our website at www.biodiesel.org or contact us at 888-BIODIESEL. Amber Pearson, Communications Specialist apearson@biodiesel.org Bev Thessen, Information Coordinator bthessen@biodiesel.org This bulletin is also available in PDF format online at http://www.biodiesel.org/news/bulletin/ back to top
2004 National Biodiesel Board - www.biodiesel.org