Clipmarks | Biofuels Clips

Bailout Bill Loops In Green Tech, IRS Snooping

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 05:41:30 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: • One-year extension for wind and refined coal energy tax credits. A production credit for electricity produced from renewable marine energy sources Energy credits for "small wind properties," geothermal heat pump systems, and energy-efficient residential properties.

• New renewable-energy bonds. Up to $800 billion in energy bonds may be offered to the public...

• Tax credits for "cellulosic biofuels" and for "carbon dioxide sequestration." An extension of an alternative fuel credit. Tax credits for "new qualified plug-in electric-drive motor vehicles." Bicycle commuters get a nod,...

The bailout bill also gives the Internal Revenue Service new authority to conduct undercover operations. It would immunize the IRS... federal laws, including permitting IRS agents to run businesses for an extended sting operation..

Anti-Drug Abuse Act in 1988, the IRS has possessed this authority temporarily, with occasional multiple-year lapses...such undercover authority would be made perma

Clip Source: news.cnet.com

Last week, the Bush administration proposed a three-page bill to bail out Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion. It died in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week.

On Friday, though, the House approved a far bigger, broader, and beefier version of the bill--which has ballooned to a remarkable 442 pages. The vote was 263 to 171, with the bulk of the opposition coming from Republicans. Because the Senate already approved the measure, it immediately went to President Bush, who signed it into law.

The bill has become, in other words, something almost unrelated to the business of bailing out Wall Street. The Beltway term for this is a "Christmas tree bill," meaning everyone gets to hang their favorite spending projects on it--though by the time Congress gets it through, it more closely resembles a slop bucket.

Here's a look a some of the green-tech measures:

IRS undercover operations: Privacy invasion?

Tags: bailout bill, green tech, irs operations, anti-drug abuse act

Environmental Activists Are Trying To Exploit Wall Street Bailout Bill

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:53:38 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: .......energy or natural resource development projects that the Greens oppose.

Once the U.S. Government owns the securities (and, thereby, the property) an omnipotent Paulson could essentially take the land out of circulation by "preserving" it as public land.

He could even claim — through the economic device of "contingent valuation" — that the acquired land has more value as pristine public land than as, say, an energy or logging project.

Contingent valuation uses opinion surveys to value intangible assets for which there is no market, such as scenic views and crystal-clear air.

Respondents are asked hypothetical questions like, "How much would you pay to preserve a seashore view from oil drilling?" or "How much is it worth to keep a forest pristine and un-logged?"

Though the whole process is pretend — the respondents know they won't actually spend any of their own money for this preservation — the government uses the method to establish monetary values of preserved la

Clip Source: junkscience.com

Friedman quoted a green-collar jobs proponent who said, "You can't base a national economy on credit cards. But you can base it on solar panels, wind turbines, smart biofuels and a massive program to weatherize every building and home in America."

Greens will likely be able to count on Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson to implement their agenda for them.

The former head of Goldman Sachs — who simultaneously headed up the Nature Conservancy and recently told Fortune magazine that action on global warming is crucial to the U.S. — is no stranger to using "other people's money" to implement the Green agenda on land secured by distressed debt.

Monday's rejection of the Wall Street bailout bill by the House has opened the door for the alternative-energy industry to again try to renew the tax credits about to expire for wind power projects such as the Pickens Plan.

Paulson could use bailout money to purchase debt securities that are secured by property either coveted by Greens or targeted for

Tags: bailout bill, environmentalists, "global warming" agenda, paulson

Why Americans Can't Get US Oil

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:03:04 GMT

clipped by: jatfla
clipper's remarks: That last statement seems to be true. I rarely come to clipmarks that I don't see articles detailing the harm of wind, solar, nuclear, etc.

Clip Source: canadafreepress.com

Why Americans Can’t Get U.S. Oil

Aside from the fact the Democrats in Congress are trying to fool Americans into believing they are “lifting” the ban on off-shore exploration and drilling for oil, the opposition to our domestic oil companies by both Democrats and radical environmental groups lies at the heart of why America is so dependent on foreign oil.

Steny Hoyer (D-Md) is on record saying that, if the Democrats retain control of Congress, restoring the ban “will be a top priority for discussion next year.”

When Democrats say that, they are talking about wind and solar power, and biofuels, not oil, natural gas, and coal.

As outrageous as the effort is to stop exploration and extraction of oil offshore of Alaska is, the fact remains that environmental groups devote themselves to stopping Americans from having access to any kind of energy source.

UN expert Ziegler accuses biofuels of increasing food prices

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:49:10 GMT

clipped by: fairytales01

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Biofuels 'crime against humanity'

By Grant Ferrett
BBC News

Food prices have risen as more land is used to produce biofuels

A United Nations expert has condemned the growing use of crops to produce biofuels as a replacement for petrol as a crime against humanity.

The UN special rapporteur on the right to food, Jean Ziegler, said he feared biofuels would bring more hunger.

The growth in the production of biofuels has helped to push the price of some crops to record levels.

Mr Ziegler's remarks, made at the UN headquarters in New York, are clearly designed to grab attention.

He complained of an ill-conceived dash to convert foodstuffs such as maize and sugar into fuel, which created a recipe for disaster.

Tags: biofuels, un, ziegler

Wheat stubble could power a greener future

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:32:31 GMT

clipped by: pokkets
clipper's remarks: When considering alternate energy sources, all stages of the process needs to be taken into account. To translate energy from one media to another, energy needs to be used to allow the conversion. Very often however, rather than direct input a catalyst can be used, to both streamline the conversion, or use a form of energy such as solar, or latent chemical energy. via a catalytic converter, or an organic process. Photosynthesis, and Yeast, metabolism, are examples that involve both. Some of the best catalysts are Enzymes, chemical 'messengers' which can co-ordinate the operation of proteins which are used like an organic 'toolkit'

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

Anna Salleh

Biofuels made from the stubble left over from harvesting grains could replace around one fifth of the volume of petrol used in Australia

Dr Michael Dunlop of CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems in Canberra and colleagues will report their findings at the Australian Society of Agronomy Conference in Adelaide this week.

much of this needs to be left in the ground to protect soil, retain soil carbon and reduce evaporation.

fifteen million tonnes of remaining stubble to be distributed in a way that is economically viable to collect.

equivalent to roughly 20% of the volume of the petrol that we use

based on 2001 figures, the 10 main grain crops of Australia produce about 65 million tonnes of stubble

it's important to consider the energy used to grow, harvest and processed a proposed biofuel feedstock

Using waste stubble could help minimise extra energy used

the energy has already been put in to growing the grain, says Dunlop, but energy will be required to process the stubble into biofuel.

The slow ripening of India’s biofuel industry

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:35:10 GMT

clipped by: A53GG4

Clip Source: www.economist.com

Biofuels in India

Power plants

Sep 18th 2008 | DHANORA, CHHATTISGARH
From The Economist print edition

The slow ripening of India’s biofuel industry

Reuters

Seeds of hope

OUTSIDE his village in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, Sudarshan Dhrube inspects a field of jatropha, planted in rust-red soils, heavy with iron. His village is growing the shrub under the watchful eye of D1-BP Fuel Crops, a joint venture between D1 Oils, a British biofuels firm, and BP, an energy giant. D1-BP has promised to pay 6.50 rupees (14 cents) for every kilogram of the black seeds found inside the shrub’s fruit. Crushed, these seeds yield a viscous oil that burns with a clear, clean flame. The oil can run a generator or a pump. Or it can be refined into biodiesel that can fuel tractors, trucks or trains.

By 2017 it aims to meet 20% of India’s diesel demand with fuel derived from plants rather than fossils.

India also makes bioethanol from molasses left over from refining sugarcane.

Tags: biofuel

Renewable Energy

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:00:19 GMT

clipped by: rickproser

Clip Source: en.wikipedia.org

Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources—such as sunlight^[2], wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat—which are renewable (naturally replenished). Renewable energy technologies include solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, micro hydro, biomass and biofuels.

EU in crop biofuel goal rethink

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:37:23 GMT

clipped by: amgumen

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

European Union lawmakers have voted to set a limit on targets to increase the use of road transport biofuels.

Campaigners say that biofuels from grains and food crops contribute to food price inflation.

A committee of the European Parliament has now voted to limit such fuels to 6% of the 10% target.

The panel also approved a mid-term goal of 5% of road transport fuel from renewable sources by 2015, of which one fifth should not be food crop-based biofuels.

Analysts say that a couple of years ago, biofuels looked like a perfect solution for the 27-member bloc, which was keen to lower carbon emissions, protect the environment and find alternative energy solutions.

But the longer-term impact on food prices and deforestation, especially in the developing world, has prompted a rethink of the original targets.

Ethanol Plant Management Services

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:36:44 GMT

clipped by: jackpats
clipper's remarks: BioCnergy Europa B.V. is a leading global provider of bioethanol plant designing, processing, & manufacturing services in Europe, Russia, & Ukraine. BioCnergy offers ethanol and biodiesel plants based on variety of raw materials.

Clip Source: www.biocnergy.eu

We will be a leader in the European biofuels market through a flexible, innovative execution model delivering reliable, value for money and customised solutions. We will be driven by the long term relationship with our key stakeholders, being our customers, employees, suppliers and shareholders.

Tags: alternative energy, alternative fuel, bio diesel, biodiesel, bio-diesel, biodiesel design

Oil seed rape grown for biofuel can help clean up toxic soils

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:56:20 GMT

clipped by: A53GG4

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

Oil seed rape grown for biofuel can help clean up toxic soils

Oil seed rape grown for biofuel in Ireland could help clean up contaminated soils, scientists heard today at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn meeting being held this week at Trinity College, Dublin.

Using plants to help clean up heavily polluted soils has been successfully tested for many years and shown to be a cheap and environmentally friendly way to clear heavy metals such as arsenic, copper, zinc and chromium from contaminated land. The main problem with the method has been the amount of time it takes to grow successive crops of plants to clean up an area. Now scientists may have come up with a solution by combining heavy metal tolerant bacteria with plants used to make biofuels such as oil seed rape.

Oilseed rape is a member of the Brassica family, which also includes cabbages and Brussels sprouts. It is well suited to Irish growing conditions and is already widely grown by farmers for biodiesel production.

Tags: biofuel

Government green jobs?

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:34:21 GMT

clipped by: sillysam

Clip Source: townhall.com

"Obama will strategically invest $150 billion over 10 years to accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial scale renewable energy, encourage energy efficiency, invest in low emissions coal plants, advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, and begin transition to a new digital electricity grid. The plan will also invest in America's highly skilled manufacturing workforce and manufacturing centers to ensure that American workers have the skills and tools they need to pioneer the green technologies that will be in high demand throughout the world." Continued...

Clip Source: townhall.com

But how does he know that the things he names ought to get the money? Will he give it to cronies of his campaign contributors? Will he appoint Al Gore to pick grant recipients?

Lobbyists will make a fortune steering "green" inventors and promoters to the $150 billion.

Oil Addiction: An Introductory Video

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:16:23 GMT

clipped by: Spiritualmonkey

Clip Source: www.pistolwimp.com

Oil Addiction

If we're addicted to oil, our twelve-step program should begin with admitting that we have a problem. As the price of oil creeps higher, finding new energy sources is more important than ever. But the search for alternatives, combined with environmental disruptions, is putting new pressures on other essentials like food. There are some things that are going well in the world. Right now, the economy is not one of them. Animation & Design by Chris Weller Directed by Max Joseph Music: "Genesis" by Justice

[Video]

Tags: oil, peak oil, politics, military, video, biofuels, the long emergency, food, agriculture, cars

Index Research: On The Road To Extinction

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:49:20 GMT

clipped by: JICWyllie

Clip Source: indexresearch.blogspot.com

A history lecturer recently said that if one doesn’t believe in ‘global warming’ one is put in the same category as those who do not believe in the Nazi holocaust. This research of summer 2008 articles is not only about global warming but also about species that have become extinct or are an endangered species.

1. Planet Earth: General; Air pollution; Biofuels; Coral Reefs; Dead Zones; Depleted Uranium Contamination; “Democracy,” Food (corn, rice, wheat, famine); Lakes (extinct: Greenland Lake: endangered Baikal); Nuclear Holocaust; Oil (Peak Oil, U.S. exploitation, The Car); Polar Ice; Rainforest; Water; Wetlands

2. Towards Extinction: General; Amphibians (frogs); Bees; Birds; Deer; Elephant; Fish (salmon, shark, sturgeon, tuna) Flora and Fauna (Lichen, Orchid); Mammals (deer, (elephant, lynx, kangaroo, mustang, polar bear, seal, tiger, whale, wolf, wolverine); Mammoth rhino), Primates (Great Ape, Homo Sapiens, Lemur, Monkey, Orangutan); Reptiles (lizard, turtle, tortoise.

Tags: environment, i-climate change, i-consequences, i-extinction

Pelosi Invested in Natural Gas,"It's What I Believe In"

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:30:12 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: This is the package we sign up for, this is what they invest in. But that’s not the point. I’m, I’m, I’m investing in something I believe in. I believe in natural gas as a clean, cheap alternative to fossil fuels.

MR. BROKAW: But you’re also in a position to influence where the emphasis will be in where we’re moving.

REP. PELOSI: Well, that’s not–that is, that is the marketplace. The fact is, the supply of natural gas is so big, and you do need a transition if you’re going to go from fossil fuels, as you say, you can’t do it overnight, but you must transition. These investments in wind, in solar and biofuels and focus on natural gas, these are the real alternatives.”

Speaker Pelosi is fortunate that $50-$100K is a de minimus investment in her family. Most of us think $100,000 is a lot of money. Now that Pelosi is a believer in natural gas, I hope she will let the House vote on expanded drilling on federal and off-shore lands.

Clip Source: patterico.com

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opposes offshore drilling but today on Meet The Press, Pelosi strongly supported investment in “cheap, abundant and clean” natural gas. Natural gas is produced by drilling, including off-shore drilling.

Pelosi believes so much in natural gas that she’s put $50,000-$100,000 of her own money into a T. Boone Pickens’ investment that emphasizes natural gas:

“MR. BROKAW: You just mentioned natural gas, and you emphasized it as well in your last radio address…

REP. PELOSI: Yeah.

MR. BROKAW: …talking about the energy plan. And then we read in The Wall Street Journal that you and your husband have made a substantial investment in the plan that T. Boone Pickens has put forward, which has a heavy emphasis on natural gas as well.

REP. PELOSI: But let me see if you call substantial 03 three percent of our investments.

MR. BROKAW: Oh, it’s what, between 100 and $200,000.

PELOSI: No, no, it was between 50 and $100,000, and it’s part of an, you know, entrepreneurial package.

Tags: pelosi, tom brokaw, meet the press, energy plan, off-shore drilling, natural gas, t.boone pickens

Pelosi's Farting Up the Wrong Tree

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:31:46 GMT

clipped by: bmeuppls
clipper's remarks: Get some bean-o for your gassy ignorance!

Cont..You know what else she’d learn if she read that EIA link? She’d learn that natural gas isn’t brought to us by magic fuel fairies but by the same arrangement that brings us oil. She’d learn how you drill for gas using the same equipment as you do for oil and that sometimes we drill for gas and oil at the same time using just one well. She’d also learn how natural gas is carried by evil pipelines, just like the oily pipelines that might endanger caribou if they didn’t like them so darned much.

Of course, that all assumes that she’s the least bit interested in learning anything that might demolish her own infantile view of how we get energy in this country and what we’re going to need to do to keep ourselves supplied well into the future. Based on her behavior in the last few weeks, it seems the only thing she’s interested in is making herself a couple more million dollars and scoring cheap political points.

Clip Source: www.sundriesshack.com

We voters ought to be at least a little bit ashamed that we’ve let a nincompoop like Nancy Pelosi get her hands on our national energy policy. It’s not enough that we let someone who believes she’s on a mission to “save the planet” get her delusional mitts on the levers of political power. That would be bad enough, considering that we’ve seen what happens when an old-school progressive starts getting Messianic aspirations.

I believe in natural gas as a clean, cheap alternative to fossil fuels

REP. PELOSI: Well, that’s not–that is, that is the marketplace. The fact is, the supply of natural gas is so big, and you do need a transition if you’re going to go from fossil fuels, as you say, you can’t do it overnight, but you must transition. These investments in wind, in solar and biofuels and focus on natural gas, these are the real alternatives…
[emphasis mine]

Tags: politics, energy, gas