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Congress Closer to Vote on Energy Bill

The House and Senate expected to vote on identical energy legislation this week after negotiations reached an agreement on key measures late Friday. The central point of the agreement concerns new fuel efficiency standards for vehicles sold in the U.S. Under the agreement, hammered out between Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Representative John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard will mandate a fleetwide target of 35 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2020–a 40% increase over current standards. Many lawmakers and environmental advocates are heralding the success of the agreement, which they believe will ensure enough support for an energy bill to overcome a GOP filibuster and make its way to the president by the end of the year. However, Dingell, a longtime defender of the automotive industry won several concessions for the industry, which has lobbied relentlessly against significant CAFE increases for years. The bill will maintain separate designations for cars and light trucks, preserving the chance for different efficiency standards in the future, though each will be required to reach 35 mpg by 2020. In addition, automakers will receive an extension of the 1.2 mpg credit for vehicles that can run on […]

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Bali Begins: Eyes on Australia, U.S, China

The two-week U.N. climate change conference kicked off today in Bali, Indonesia with negotiators from more than 180 nations present. Conference leaders encouraged delegates to move quickly in laying the groundwork for a global treaty to pick up where the Kyoto Protocol leaves off in 2012. “The eyes of the world are upon you. There is a huge responsibility for Bali to deliver,” said Yvo de Boer, the executive secretary of the conference. “The world now expects a quantum leap forward.” One of the highlights from Monday’s activities was the announcement (and ensuing applause) that Australia’s new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd had signed papers to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, thus leaving the United States as the sole industrialized nation not participating in the agreement aimed at combating global warming by reducing global emissions of greenhouse gases. Pressure is on the American delegation, and the entire conference, to agree to a framework that the U.S. is willing to support. So far the Bush administration has been unwilling to consider mandatory levels for emissions cuts, insisting instead on voluntary reductions. Another contentious issues will be whether growing economies like China and India will have to reducing their skyrocketing emissions. Last week China […]

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Neste to Build Largest Renewable Diesel Plant in Singapore

Neste Oil (NEF.DE) plans to invest approximately 550 million Euros (US$814 million) to build the world’s largest renewable diesel plant in Singapore. The plant will have a design capacity of 20,000 barrels, the company says, and will use palm oil as its primary feedstock, though it will be capable of using soy oil or animal fat as well. The company says the investment is part of a goal to become the world’s leading renewable diesel producer, and will be based on Neste Oil’s proprietary NExBTL technology. The first NExBTL facility was commissioned in Finland at Neste Oil’s Porvoo refinery in summer 2007, and a second is due to come on stream there in 2009. Neste says NExBTL Renewable Diesel is a good performer in environmental terms, claiming that total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions are 40-60% less than those of conventional diesel fuel, when sustainably sourced raw materials are used for its production. Neste Oil has committed itself to only using palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), once sufficient quantities are available. Palm oil complying with the RSPO certification system, which was approved in November 2007, will probably be available from the early part of 2008 […]

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Graco to buy GlasCraft for $35M

Minneapolis-based fluid management provider Graco (NYSE: GGG) says it will acquire a subsidiary of Cohesant Technologies (Nasdaq: COHT) for $35 million in Q108. The transaction involves Graco merging with the Indianapolis, Ind.-based Cohesant Technologies , GlassCraft’s parent, before spinning off all of Cohesant’s non-Glascraft’s operations, according to a release. GlasCraft designs, manufactures and sells dispensing systems for the polyurethane foam and polyurea coatings industries. It also developed a spray system for the composites manufacturing industry. The company has approximately 70 employees and annual sales of approximately $18 million.

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Yes! Solar to Begin Selling CA Franchises

Yes! Solar Solutions a wholly owned subsidiary of Solar Power, Inc. (OTCBB:SOPW) is set to begin selling franchises within California. In addition to showcasing Yes! solar systems, the franchises will market and host monthly educational seminars and sell a variety of solar thematic retail products including cell phone chargers, education kits, books and solar system accessories. “We think the time is right for a network of strategically located retail outlets that are 100% dedicated to helping consumers reduce their annual energy expenses,” said Jeff Winzeler, President, Yes! Solar Solutions. “This begins our process of deploying Yes! Solar SolutionsTM franchises,” said Winzelern. “We’re excited about the opportunity to contribute to the growth of solar power in the state of California, where the Governor currently has a program designed to place solar panels on a million roofs.” Yes! Solar Solutions opened their first company-owned energy outlet in Roseville, California on October 20, 2007. The company announced that its Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC) became effective November 21, 2007. About Yes! Solar Solutions Yes! Solar Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Solar Power, Inc. Solar Power, Inc. operates a factory dedicated to manufacturing solar modules and related solar products. Website: [sorry this […]

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Bush Greenwashes 2006 Stats

Like many companies looking for a boost with consumers, President Bush has jumped on the green bandwagon over the last year. But, as with many companies, the facts and actions don’t support the language. Yesterday Bush released a statement that would have American citizens believe the nation is making significant strides to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) under his leadership. Bush pointed to a final report by the Energy Information Agency (EIA), stating that U.S. GHG emissions declined 1.5% in 2006 from 2005 levels. Combined with a 2.9% in the growth of the U.S. economy for the year, the president notes that U.S. GHG intensity decreased 4.2%–GHG intensity being a measure of emissions per unit of economic intensity. He goes on to say, “This puts us well ahead of the goal I set in 2002 to reduce greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent by 2012.” But the figures are misleading. First, small percentage reductions in GHG intensity in a growing economy are nowhere near equivalent to the major overall emissions cuts needed to halt and reverse the buildup of GHG in the atmosphere. Second, the 2006 emissions reductions were the result of higher energy costs, a warmer winter that cut heating […]

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Negotiators Close In on Energy Measure

URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/28/AR2007112802582.html?hpid%3Dmoreheadlines&sub=AR Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/28/AR2007112802582.html?hpid%3Dmoreheadlines&sub=AR     

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