|
|
By Charity Pennock, on February 9th, 2010
A new report commissioned by the Bipartisan Policy Center compares the economic impacts of a 25% renewable electricity standard (RES) and a 20% RES to the impacts of the North Carolina Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (NC REPS). The study projected impacts from renewable electricity generation, renewable electricity feedstock production, and from electricity rates per kWh.
The analysis found that in 2025, the total impact from operating additional renewable facilities would reach $2.2 billion under the NC REPS, $4.5 billion under the 25% RES, and $4.1 billion under the 20% RES.
In addition, the analysis found that 25 to 30 percent of those impacts would come from the production of feedstock for bioenergy. While the direct economic activity of the North Carolina agriculture sector in 2007 is estimated at $9.9 billion, the economic impact of the NC REPS on North Carolina’s agricultural and forestry sectors in 2025 is projected to be $0.7 billion from the NC REPS, $1.6 billion from a 25% RES, and $1.4 billion on 20% RES.
Read the full report from the Center here and further analysis from Southern Alliance for Clean Energy here.
By Charity Pennock, on February 4th, 2010
From Dupont Danisco:
Leaders from DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE), University of Tennessee and Genera Energy, cut the ribbon on one of the world’s first cellulosic ethanol demonstration facilities, located in Vonore, Tenn. The 74,000-square-foot plant has started producing ethanol and will deliver low-cost, fully-integrated technology for commercial production of ethanol from agricultural residue and bioenergy crops, including corncobs and switchgrass.
By Charity Pennock, on February 4th, 2010
From Biofuels International:
In 2008, Georgia Power announced that one of its plants would convert from burning coal to burning woody biomass in an attempt to generate green electricity. The conversion of Plant Mitchell would make it the largest biomass plant in the country and was given the go-ahead last March by the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Plant Mitchell was due to be operational in June 2012, after conversion was due to begin in April 2011. However, spending has been suspended momentarily. It has been claimed that the reason for delay is down to the reservations over federal rules regarding the production of harmful air pollutants from industrial boilers, which are planned for Plant Mitchell.
Spending on the conversion has ceased until the US Environmental Protection Agency releases a draft of the proposed regulations, due this April. A final decision is expected in December. Project manager Kenny Smith commented, ‘We didn’t feel it was prudent to spend several million dollars in early 2010 without having at least the draft rule.’
By Charity Pennock, on February 4th, 2010
From 25x’25:
The National 25x’25 Steering Committee applauds President Obama and the members of the Biofuels Interagency Working Group for the actions announced today recognizing the role of biofuels in a new, clean energy future. In a report issued by the working group this afternoon, the administration unveiled a plan that will boost the development of biofuels that could generate billions of dollars in additional revenue for rural America. The Steering Committee believes that administration proposals for a reinvigorated USDA-run Biomass Crop Assistance Program will spur the expansion of dedicated non-food crops for renewable energy and biofuel production. The final rule adopted by EPA to implement the Renewable Fuels Standard is a step forward, recognizing that first-generation ethanol can, and will continue, to contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The Steering Committee welcomes the administration’s recognition of the contributions that farmers, ranchers and forestland owners can make to enhance our energy independence, boost our economy and improve our environment. Today’s announcements signal to investors that solutions from the land provide valuable and sustainable returns. However, we call on the White House and Congress to maintain the momentum of today’s actions and quickly adopt a comprehensive, stable and long-term energy policy.
From House Agriculture Committee:
“Typical of most decisions made in Washington, there is some good and some bad in the Renewable Fuel Standard final rule announced today. I am pleased that ethanol and biodiesel will qualify as advanced biofuels under the RFS. However, I am concerned about some provisions in the final rule that fail to use science-based standards,” Chairman Peterson said. “To think that we can credibly measure the impact of international indirect land use is completely unrealistic, and I will continue to push for legislation that prevents unreliable methods and unfair standards from burdening the biofuels industry.”
Read more responses at Biofuels Digest.
By Charity Pennock, on January 12th, 2010
From ELPC:
Conceived in the 2002 Farm Bill, REAP [Rural Energy for America Program] is responsible for the development of thousands of new clean energy projects across rural America. Farmers and rural businesses are using REAP to build new clean energy projects for wind and solar power, biodiesel, anaerobic digesters and other biomass, geothermal, and energy-saving upgrades. REAP also helps rural electric cooperatives, ag extension offices and other non-profits to conduct energy technical assistance to assess rural clean energy needs. REAP is a strong success, with more than 3,500 clean energy project awards in 49 states since the program’s first year in 2003.
ELPC has calculated REAP’s job creation benefits at current and higher funding levels. Our analysis is based on employment data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for clean energy industries in combination with REAP project awards.
Our calculations show that REAP could create approximately 5,900 net jobs in the national economy each year at a funding level of $350 million a year. In other words, REAP produces nearly 17 jobs per $1 million of investment.
Read more here.
By Charity Pennock, on January 12th, 2010
From NREL:
Having rapidly established itself as a “go to” site for transportation and other related energy information, the Virtual Information Bridge to Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (VIBE) is expanding its reach to attract new users across the widest range of energy issues. A sister site to VIBE, called Open Energy Information, has been launched to allow organizations around the world to both post their own energy data and download data, for free.
By Charity Pennock, on January 12th, 2010
From the Interstate Renewable Energy Council:
The first IREC Webinar of 2010 will be held Tuesday, January 26, at 2pm EST (1pm CST, noon MST, 11am PST, 10am Alaska, 9am Hawaii) on the interconnection and net metering policies and process behind rulemaking proceedings at state utilities commissions. This free webinar will also hit the highlights of IREC’s recently released Connecting to the Grid Guide, 6th edition. The Connecting to the Grid Guide is an important tool that is designed for state regulators and other policymakers, utilities, industry representatives and consumers interested in the development of state-level interconnection standards. webinar will last for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Though the webinar is free, you must register to attend.
By Charity Pennock, on December 16th, 2009
From Biomass Magazine:
The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center has permission from the Board of Regents to establish the Louisiana Institute for Biofuels and Bioprocessing (LIBBi), a research, education and outreach initiative within the AgCenter.
The LIBBi will not occupy its own facility, but will be a “virtual center” that will provide the roadmap needed to support new biofuels and bioprocessing endeavors in the state and prioritize pathways for integration of those industries into the mainstream, according to John Russin, AgCenter associate vice chancellor and institute director. The LIBBi is expected to link Louisiana’s agricultural base with emerging bioenergy initiatives, which will expand the state’s role in developing renewable energy sources, while expanding the economic base for crop producers in the state, according to the proposal submitted to the Board of Regents.
The regents’ approval is conditional for one year, in which time the AgCenter will work on several first-year initiatives, including soliciting ongoing federal support for the institute; assembling an external advisory board; developing an annual conference with speakers from the industry and academia; facilitating effective information exchange among public and private partners; and developing electronic and print materials to educate stakeholders and policymakers about industry opportunities in Louisiana, according to the proposal
By Charity Pennock, on December 14th, 2009
From Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet:
An executive task force formed by Gov. Steve Beshear has forwarded to the governor its recommendations for advancing the discussion on the development of a biomass and biofuels industry in Kentucky. A report from the 22-member group lists five key recommendations that can create a viable alternative energy industry for the Commonwealth.
The five recommendations are:
- The Division of Biofuels within the Energy and Environment Cabinet serve as a single agency point to coordinate and facilitate biomass and biofuels development statewide.
- A Kentucky-specific Renewable and Efficiency Portfolio Standard be mandated which will provide significant opportunities for biomass and job development in Kentucky.
- The Division of Biofuels publish analyses and summary findings identifying current biomass development and technology within the Commonwealth, along with demand projected from developing technologies and mandates.
- The Division of Biofuels, in collaboration with stakeholder groups, facilitate development of a Kentucky Standard for Biomass Sustainability.
- The Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy and the Energy and Environment Cabinet assess public opinion of funding mechanisms that foster the development of biomass production and that stimulate the development of a biomass-based liquid fuel and power industry.
By Charity Pennock, on December 14th, 2009
From American Farmland Trust:
To help address the confusion over the economic implications of climate policies on U.S. agriculture, a team of seven Kansas State University (KSU) researchers completed an analysis and comparison of six key economic studies that looked at the effects of the Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454—also known as the Waxman-Markey bill) on the agriculture sector.
“Overall, the research suggests U.S. agriculture has more to gain than lose with the passage of
H.R. 2454,” says Dr. Bill Golden, Dept. of Agricultural Economics at KSU and the team’s leader. “The bill specifically exempts production agriculture from emissions caps, provides provisions to ease the transition to higher fertilizer prices, and, fosters the development of carbon offset markets which will likely enhance agricultural revenues.”
Among the key findings of the KSU Analysis:
- In the short-run, per-acre profitability for both crop and livestock producers may decline, but for the most part, the research across multiple studies suggests the declines in the short run will be modest; with changes in production costs ranging from 0.3% – 6.4% by 2025. (Table 4)
- The economic impacts will vary regionally, and by crop and livestock sub-sector. The impacts depend on cultural and management practices and the farm-specific ability to sequester carbon and receive offset income.
- H.R. 2454 establishes a Renewable Energy Standard (RES) that mandates a portion of all
U.S. electricity be produced from low carbon renewable energy sources. As the market expands, financial benefits will accrue to the agricultural sector.
|
|