TWENTY MORE YEARS before alternate fuel use can be expanded?

[RestoreGore]

Well gee, with that TEN year window closing, sounds like more fuzzy math to me. Oh, and just bring the price of gas down before an election only THIRTY CENTS a gallon and the ignorant American is pacified. And the Independent even printed an article saying that Bush was having a TURNAROUND on global warming? WAKE UP, THEY DON'T CARE. Caring about the climate crisis doesn't exactly support their PNAC AGENDA. I can't believe that the American people are being led to the slaughter like this, and what I really can't believe is that the DEMOCRATS aren't really standing up to them. These bastards need to be IMPEACHED instead of being placated with people thinking they can be cajoled into doing the right thing. THEY HAVE NO MORALS and proved that susinctly yesterday when a bill was passed to actually condone torture. I do not any longer recognize my country, and I will state it again, POLITICIANS ARE FULL OF CRAP.
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http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/38199/story.htm

US Sees Delay in Big Rise in Alternative Motor Fuels
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US: September 21, 2006


WASHINGTON - The Bush administration says the United States needs an extra 20 years to meet Congress' goal of having almost a third of US motor fuel supply come from energy sources other than gasoline.Congress passed energy legislation in 1992 mandating that 30 percent of the fuel used to run US cars and trucks by 2010 come from ethanol, natural gas, hydrogen, electricity or other replacement fuels. The Energy Department said that goal won't be met, as replacement fuels now supply only 2.5 percent of total motor fuel used, and is proposing to extend the deadline to 2030. "The amount of replacement fuel used, as a percent of total motor fuel consumed, has essentially been flat for the past decade despite an increase in use of alternative and replacement motor fuels," the DOE said in a notice published on Tuesday in the Federal Register.

"This is because the growth in replacement fuels has been matched by the growth in petroleum motor fuels," the department said. "Expanding production of replacement fuels much beyond 3 percent (of total supply) by 2010 is unlikely." In order to meet the goal for 2010, when US motor fuel demand is forecast to average more than 12 million barrels a day, the department said replacement fuels would have to total over 3.7 million barrels a day. However, current US production capacity for ethanol, which is the most prevalent replacement fuel, is only about 313,000 barrels a day, or 4.8 billion gallons a year, according to the Renewable Fuels Association trade group. New ethanol plants are coming online, but output would have to soar to 60 billion gallons a year by 2010 to replace 30 percent of petroleum-based motor fuel supplies, the DOE said.

That would not be possible, according to the department, because all the corn currently grown by US farmers could make just 18 billion gallons of ethanol a year. The department said achieving the 30 percent replacement fuel requirement also becomes more difficult each year because more vehicles are put on the road and vehicle miles traveled increase. There are now 6 million alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) on the road that help lower gasoline use. But to meet the original 2010 goal, over 90 million of the 130 million passenger cars on the road today would have to be replaced with AFVs. "Meeting this goal would require a 15-fold increase in AFVs within the next three years, basically requiring nearly five years' worth of vehicle sales in only three years, and every vehicle sold would have to be an AFV," the department said.

The DOE's proposal to delay to the goal date for replacing 30 percent of US motor fuel supplies with alternative energy sources was the result of an environmental group lawsuit. A federal court required the department to come up with a revised replacement fuel goal. The department will take public comments on its proposal through Nov. 3.

[peanutbrittle]

1. Well......the ball is already rolling

No matter how you feel about Oklahoma, we do have a Democratic Governor and companies here committed to alternative fuels. As I say, they have already started the ball rolling

Check it out:

http://www.okcommerce.gov/

State Energy Office

If you’ve bought gasoline or paid a utility bill recently, you know how important it is for America to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and develop affordable energy-efficient technologies to run our homes, businesses, schools, and vehicles. The Oklahoma State Energy Office, in conjunction with the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is here to do just that. Managed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma State Energy Office (SEO) promotes partnerships between citizens and businesses to encourage energy efficiency and turn renewable energies into a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

You can see the momentum building throughout our state: The production of wind energy has rapidly become a thriving business in western Oklahoma – a testament to the positive side of Oklahoma’s windy plains. Construction begins soon on the state’s first biodiesel refinery. The Oklahoma legislature passed bills in the 2005 session that are favorable to the promotion of alternative fuels. And there’s more news every day!

We encourage you to use this site to stay abreast of news, policy changes, events and opportunities that drive the energy efficiency initiatives throughout the state. Follow the links below to learn more about the State Energy Office objectives, the projects under way in Oklahoma, and resources to assist your efforts. And let us know how we can help. Contact Clayton Robinson at 405-815-5249 or 800-879-6552.
SEO Home | SEO Overview | Funding | Issues & Policy | Resources



Governor's Conference on Biofuels Set

Sept. 11, 2006 -- Learn the latest news and developments in the biofuel industry by attending the two-day Oklahoma Governor’s Conference on Biofuels, Oct. 3-4, at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

A variety of presenters from federal and state agencies and coalitions and foundations dedicated to the development of alternative transportation fuels will be on hand. The conference fee is $20 per person and includes lunch, all sessions, and all conference materials. Reports will cover the following:

* The Oklahoma Biofuels Initiative;
* Report on the ongoing Oklahoma biomass resource study;
* Noble Foundation’s development of a dedicated energy crop;
* Biorefinery construction in Oklahoma;
* Federal and state initiatives for biomass and biofuel production;
* Petroleum and automotive industries’ commitment to alternative fuels;
* Impacts and opportunities for fleet managers, end users and marketers;
* Advances in feedstock conversion technology.

For more information call 800-203-5494.

Agenda
Register online
USDA Invests $17.5 Million in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Sept. 6, 2006 – Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently announced the award of more than $17.5 million in renewable energy and energy efficiency program grants to 375 recipients in 36 states, including Oklahoma.

According to Johanns, the grants will directly promote energy savings and increased energy production throughout rural America.

The 2002 Farm Bill authorized the Renewable energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program. Grant recipients include agricultural producers, rural small businesses, or individuals.

The seven Oklahoma projects receiving awards were:

* Splatters Paintball and Specialities, $48,563, for a new HVAC, double pane storefront glazing and windows, standard double-glazed skylights, and insulation;
* House of Flowers, $9,396, HVAC, awning, storefront framing and glazing;
* Fritsche Rental Properties, $10,603, HVAC, roof insulation, glazing of windows, and an awning;
* James Johnston, $11,900, windows and glazing, HVAC, and roof insulation;
* Broadway Square LLC, $15,688, replace 102 windows;
* Shawnee Beauty College, $12,500, replace windows, doors, lighting fixtures, and installing a pitched insulated roof;
* Merle Norman, $2,113, HVAC and install awning on storefront.

For more information about this grant program or to find out how you can apply for the next round, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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Enid, Shattuck Ethanol Plants Planned

Sept. 5, 2006 – Citing excellent rail service and grain facilities, Dallas-based Orion Ethanol recently announced plans to build plants in Enid and Shattuck.

Construction on the Enid facility should start this month, with the Shattuck plant’s construction beginning about 60 days later, says Patrick Barker, Orion’s Chairman and CEO. Both plants will cost about $50 million to build.

“We chose the two areas because they each have a grain facility and because they have such excellent rail service and prospects for disposal of the distillers’ grain,” Barker says.

Each plant will have a payroll of about $900,000, employ 30 people initially, and produce about 55 million gallons of ethanol per year. Production will likely expand to about 110 million gallons at each plant within the next few years.

Orion partnered with Illinois-based Robert Johnson Grain Co., and both of Orion’s Oklahoma ethanol plants will be built at existing Johnson Grain facilities.

Enid is also home to a proposed 55-million-gallon plant by Oklahoma Ethanol, a joint venture between the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Oklahoma City-based oil company Chaparral Energy.

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Cushing Energy Complex Proposed

Aug. 17, 2006 – Hoping to create more jobs throughout the region, Cushing wants to develop an energy park that would include a crude oil refinery, a coal gasification power plant, ethanol and biodiesel plants, and research and development facilities.

A subsidiary of Tulsa-based SemGroup, the Sac & Fox Nation, and M&M Energy Group of Florida have teamed up to develop the project. Looking for 700 to 2,000 acres, the Sac & Fox Nation plans to acquire land for the energy park.

The proposed energy park stems from congressional passage of last year’s energy bill, which included the Tribal Energy Resource Act. The act provides assistance, including loan guarantees, to tribes that develop renewable energy.

Although a crude oil refinery may not be as likely as some of the other proposed projects, construction on an ethanol or biodiesel plant could start within the next few months or shortly after land for the park is purchased, says Kevin Foxx, Executive Vice President and COO of SemGroup.

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Noble Foundation Reports on Biofuels Efforts

Aug. 9, 2006 -- In recent months, national media have reported extensively about the potential role of ethanol in lessening the United States' dependency on gasoline.

Ethanol is a subject that residents of North Texas and Oklahoma largely hear about from other parts of the country - there are few places to purchase ethanol/gasoline blends in this area, and ethanol is not a product produced in these states any measurable quantities. Why?

Find out more

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Free Web Tools to Calculate Farmers' Operating Costs Available


Aug. 4, 2006 -- A website featuring three Energy Estimator tools to save energy and conserve resources was recenlty made available to farmers by the National Resources Conservation Service. With these free tools, farmers can:

* Use the Irrigation Energy Estimator tool to estimate potential energy savings associated with pumping water from irrigation;
* Use the Nitrogen Energy Estimator tool to calculate potential cost savings related to nitrogen use on the farm;
* Use the Tillage Energy Estimator tool to estimate diesel fuel use and costs in the production of key crops and to compare potential energy savings between conventional tillage and alternative tillage systems.

To access the tools, click here.

For quickly comparing the cost of using propane gas to the cost of using other energy sources in operations, check out the Ag Propane Cost Estimator at www.agweb.com/propane_calc.asp.

For more useful energy information, check out www.okcommerce.gov/energy.

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State Incentives Attract Biodiesel Company

July 31, 2006 – State incentives that give tax credits for biodiesel production got the attention of Houston-based Nova Energy, which expects to announce an Oklahoma location for its newest production facility within the next several months.

The company specifically cited House Bill 1398 approved by the Legislature and signed by Governor Brad Henry in 2005. The bill provides a tax credit of 20 cents per gallon of biodiesel fuel.

According to J.D. McGraw, a Del City native and president and CEO of Nova Energy, the company wants to open one to two biodiesel plants in Oklahoma and has narrowed its search to three sites.

Nova Energy has an agreement with ConAgra Trade Group to supply the vegetable oil and animal-based feedstock for its Oklahoma refinery or refineries. ConAgra Trade Group has also agreed to buy the biodiesel fuel produced.

The facilities, which the company hopes to have operational in 2007, could produce between 120 million and 240 million gallons of biodiesel each year.

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Ethanol Group to Conduct Equity Drive

July 24, 2006 – Oklahoma Sustainable Energy (OSE) recently received approval from the Oklahoma Security and Exchange Commission to conduct an equity drive for funds to build an ethanol plant in Enid.

According to Terry Detrick, OSE chairman and president, building the plant in Enid represents the group’s first priority. However, he says, the group’s overall focus involves “advocating for development of a vibrant and viable renewable biofuels industry in Oklahoma.”

OSE expects the Enid plant to create about 35 jobs and annually convert about 20 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum into 55 million gallons of fuel grade ethanol. The plant will be owned by Oklahoma Ethanol, a limited liability company formed as joint venture between OSE and Oklahoma City-based Chaparral Energy.

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PSO, OG&E to Build New Power Plant

July 18, 2006 -- PSO and OG&E plan to join forces to build a new 950-megawatt, coal-fueled electricity generating unit at the site of OG&E's existing Sooner plant near Red Rock, in north central Oklahoma.

Under the agreement, OG&E plans to construct the Red Rock Generating Facility using design technology that offers greater efficiencies and lower emissions than other pulverized coal plants.

PSO will own 50 percent of the new unit, OG&E will own about 42 percent and the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA) will own about 8 percent. Although final cost estimates for the new facility have not been determined, preliminary cost estimates are about $1.8 billion. The facility is expected to be operational in 2011.

The Red Rock facility will be constructed using best available control technology (BACT) including flue gas desulfurization (commonly called a scrubber) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to limit emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Based on the goal of achieving the ultra-supercritical design, the new Red Rock facility is expected to be the cleanest unit of its size using coal from the Powder River Basin.

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Syntroleum to Sell Pentagon Alternative Fuel

July 3, 2006 – Tulsa-based Syntroleum, which has a patented process for converting natural gas and coal into synthetic fuel, recently signed a contract to deliver 100,000 gallons to the Department of Defense (DOD) for testing and evaluation.

Syntroleum is the first company to provide fuel to the DOD’s Assured Fuels Initiative, a program charged with improving the supply of domestic aviation fuels.

The fuel is being produced at Syntroleum’s gas-to-liquids demonstration plant at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. Military aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base and at other locations around the country will be testing and evaluating the fuel.

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Partnership Formed to Enhance Switchgrass Fuel Potential

June 6, 2006 – The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation of Ardmore and Ceres Inc., a California-based company, recently announced a collaborative effort to create switchgrass varieties to serve both Oklahoma landowners as a cash crop and refiners as a fuel source.

Researchers from both organizations will work to create varieties of switchgrass that will grow in sufficient quantities to serve as biomass fuel and meet the needs of refiners. Switchgrass, a native Oklahoma plant, contains enormous amounts of sugar and shows significant potential for ethanol production.

Ceres is a privately held plant biotechnology company using gene technologies to enhance crops for energy production and other purposes.

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Biodiesel Plant Planned for Tulsa’s Port of Catoosa

June 2, 2006 – Oklahoma’s biodiesel industry received another celebrity endorsement this week when a group led by Barry Switzer, former University of Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys football coach, pledged $6 million to help build a $30 million refinery at Tulsa’s Port of Catoosa.

The announcement comes two months after Willie Nelson and Morgan Freeman helped dedicate the state’s first biodiesel plant in Durant.

The Catoosa refinery will use mostly Oklahoma soybeans, and when fully operational, will employ 19 full-time workers.

Biodiesel drew Switzer’s attention because of its economic potential for Oklahoma farmers and diesel consumers, he says.

“This is the future of energy,” Switzer says. “Biodiesel is something that will be more energy efficient, run clean, burn clean, and require less maintenance in diesel engines. I think it’s great for agriculture in the state. And, it’s great for the energy industry.”

Oklahoma Energy Secretary David Fleischaker agreed that biodiesel can work well with the state’s existing energy industry, displacing foreign oil and not domestic crude.

“I see them as absolutely complementary,” Fleischaker says. “We need to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil both for national security reasons and for economic reasons.”

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More Oklahoma Energy News

May 19, 2006 - PSO Dedicates Blue Canyon II Wind Farm
May 4, 2006 - OG&E Wind Farm Gains Regulatory Approval
Mar. 20, 2006 - State Ranks 5th in Nation for Wind Power
Feb. 14, 2006 - OG&E Needs to Produce More Juice from Wind Power: Customers Like Saving $8 a Month
Feb. 6, 2006 - Share the Warmth: Gas Prices Still High: ONEOK Donates $600,000 to Service Areas
Jan. 30, 2006 - Energy Hog Campaign Launches Website for Grown-Ups
Dec. 28, 2005 - OG&E Plans to Increase Wind Power
Dec. 14, 2005 – Oklahoma Harnessing Wind Energy at Impressive Pace
Nov. 22, 2005 – Biodiesel Plant Opens in Chelsea Today
Nov. 17, 2005 – State Fuel Cell R&D Shows Promise
Oct. 24, 2005 – Oklahoma’s Devon Energy Named One of the Best Workplaces for Commuters
Oct. 18, 2005 – Oklahoma Leads the Nation in Alternative Energy Growth, R&D
Oct. 17, 2005 – Noble Foundation Receives Grant for Ethanol Production Research
Oct. 13, 2005 – 2006 Fuel Economy Guide Released
July 29, 2005 – A Straw House
July 14, 2005 – Factory To Be Fueled by Landfill Gas
July 13, 2005 – ACOG Launches Incentives Program for Selling Ethanol
June 16, 2005 – Earth Biofuels To Begin Construction of Biodiesel Plant in Durant



Weatherford Wind Farm Featured in New York Times

The May 17, 2006, Business section of The New York Times features an article about wind power in the United States. Titled "They Tilt and Whirl While Spinning Off Cash," the story leads with a spotlight on the FPL Energy-owned wind farm in Weatherford, Okla. Follow the link below to read the full story (site registration required).

They Tilt and Whirl While Spinning Off Cash
Featured Link: Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP)

Sponsored by a coalition of public interest nonprofit groups, government agencies, and other organizations in the energy efficiency field, TIAP provides consumers and businesses information they need to make use of the federal income tax incentives for energy efficient products and technologies passed by Congress as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

The site gives incentive information for:
Consumers
• Home weatherization—insulation, windows, air and duct sealing
• Heating and cooling equipment
• Passenger vehicles
• Solar energy systems
• Fuel cells and microturbines

Businesses
• Commercial buildings
• Commercial vehicles
• Solar energy systems
• Fuel cells and microturbines

Builders/Manufacturers
• New homes
• Appliances.

Featured Link: ASTM Biodiesel Specs

The biodiesel industry has been active in setting standards for biodiesel since 1994 when the first biodiesel taskforce was formed with the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).

ASTM approved a provisional standard for biodiesel (ASTM PS 121) in July 1999. The final specification (D-6751) was issued in December 2001 and is still in use today.

Copies of the D-6751 Specifications from ASTM
Featured Link: DOE's Weatherization & Intergovernmental Program

The Weatherization & Intergovernmental Program site features a variety of free tools and services offered by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

For example, it highlights energy assessment and management strategies as well as technologies and tools designed to enhance the energy performance of business, commercial, and industrial buildings; homes and apartment complexes; and university buildings and facilities.

Other features include detailed information on the following topics and answers to the following questions:
--Weatherization assistance: Where can low-income families or not-for-profit organizations do to reduce their energy bills with affordable weatherization techniques?
--Financial assistance: what grants are available to fund energy saving projects and new product development?
--Information on policies and codes: Where can builders and regulators find the most up-to-date building energy codes?

[RestoreGore]

3. When I can drive up to a pump...

And actually pump cellulosic ethanol into my tank and have a CHOICE, I will believe this is serious. In other words, planning is great, but there never seems to be a timeframe noted in these plans for when the biofuels will actually be in the market at my corner station. That is what I want to see, and what we must see within the next five to ten years.

[focusfan]

2. Just more of Bush helping big oil

If the government would get serious about alternate energy it could replace 50 percent of oil by 2010.If they had used the money wasted in Iraq to get it going.I don`t believe the government really wants alternate energy,afterall if we had it what excuse could they give for starting more wars.I forgot God talks to Bush personaly so I guess he (she) will tell him when to start a war.:sarcasm:

[RestoreGore]

4. It could have been done already

But again, unless this entire good ole boys corporate/military industrial complex system falls like the tower of Mordor in Lord of the Rings, how does it happen? If people are content to be placated by having their chains yanked with gas prices, when will they really rally for what we must morally do to save this planet? And if their "confort zones" are always preserved, why would any think to think outside the box or even care that there is another moral choice out there? I don't see any real moral outrage at all. Seems all people on the whole in this country want to do is eat, watch tv, sleep, smoke, and shop, shop, shop.

[papau]

5. stop corn & use other bio conversion -algae and grass - to meet needs

indeed that way we mught actually save on oil (oil input to corn growth is about same as oil saved by using ethanol produced from that corn).

Algae looks like it could do the whole job using up an area so small you'd need road signs to find the growing area.

[RestoreGore]

6. Yes, cellulosic ethanol, switchgrass, etc.

A much better way to go, although I am checking to see just how water intensive these grasses would be to grow. Do you have any idea?

[papau]

7. algae seems the only viable way - but grasses could supplement

switchgrass requires relatively little water - at least compared to corn :-)

[RestoreGore]

8. Thanks

That is definitely a concern of mine.

[johnaries]

9. I want an ethanol/plug-in hybrid. Where are they?

Well, first of all, I can't buy an ethanol vehicle because I don't know of any gas stations that sell ethanol.

So, someone please convince some gas station to sell ethanol somewhere close to either where I live or where I work. Either one, I don't care. I can make accomadations either way.

And give me the option to use my TVA Green Power Switch to recharge the batteries using a plug-in option.

C'mon - we have flex-fuel engines already. People have modified their hybrids to be plug-ins already.

What's the problem? Where's the hold-up?

[papau]

10. ethanol diesel /plug-in hybrid - and then we can call ourselves GREEN! :-)

with the ethanol from algea farms of course!

:-)