Biofuels

DOE Launches Lap-Corps to Commercialize Clean Energy Technologies

The DOE’s Lap-Corps will enable national laboratory teams to access private sector opportunities to commercialize innovative clean energy technologies. On October 29, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of Lap-Corps, a $2.3M pilot program to accelerate commercialization of innovative clean energy technologies developed by DOE National Laboratories.  Lap-Corps – modeled on the…...

U.S. Army and NREL Partner on Net-Zero Energy Pilot Program

The Army has partnered with NREL to install net-zero energy installations at nine pilot sites, potentially replacing eight percent of its current installation site energy supply with renewable energy. On October 27, 2014, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced a partnership with the U.S. Army to advance Net Zero Energy…...

New York Green Bank Begins Transactions

NY Green Bank’s initial transactions will produce more than $800M in investments supporting clean energy projects that would annually avoid 575,000 tons of carbon emissions. On October 22, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the NY Green Bank’s first seven transactions, which – supported and agreed to in principle – will produce more…...

DOE Inaugurates Second-Generation Cellulosic Ethanol Plant

The DOE-supported Abengoa Bioenergy Biomass of Kansas, the nation’s third commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol biorefinery, will have an annual production capacity of up to 25 million gallons. On October 17, 2014 the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the opening of the nation’s third commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Hugoton, Kansas as part of Energy Action Month…....

EPA Report: MY 2013 Vehicles Achieve All-Time High Fuel Economy

The EIA’s annual fuel economy report shows that MY 2013 vehicles achieved an all-time high fuel economy and record low emissions levels. On October 8, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual “Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2014” report which tracks average fuel economy, emissions,…...

Massachusetts Clean Energy Sector Report Highlights $10B Industry

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry has grown by 47 percent from 2010-2014 with significant growth in energy efficiency and solar deployment. On September 29, 2014, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center released the 2014 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report.  The fourth annual report highlights that the Massachusetts clean energy sector has grown by 47 percent since…...

[Report] Lawmakers Consider Energy Tax Reform as December Deadline Nears for Extending Expired Provisions

On September 17, 2014, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing entitled “Reforming America’s Outdated Energy Tax Code.” Retroactively extending tax provisions has significant impact on financial accounting for multiple energy industries, including wind and solar, and also small and mid-sized businesses such as commercial building owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and design-construction companies…....

Senate Finance Committee Hearing on Energy Tax Policy Reforms

On September 17, 2014, the Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing titled “Reforming America’s Outdated Energy Tax Code” to discuss possible reforms to the U.S. energy tax policy. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) underscored the need for predictable, level playing-field tax policy that puts renewables on the same footing as other…...

First Cellulosic Ethanol Plant to Use Corn Waste as Feedstock

Project LIBERTY, a DOE-supported biorefinery project, is the first U.S. cellulosic ethanol plant to use corn waste as feedstock. On September 3, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the opening of POET-DSM Advanced Biofuel’s Project LIBERTY, a large-scale biorefinery in Emmetsburg, Iowa.  Project LIBERTY is the nation’s second commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol biorefinery and the…...