Welcome to the Arkansas Renewable Energy e-newsletter! This newsletter is a bi-monthly feature of the Arkansas Renewable Energy website. Visit the website at www.arkansasrenewableenergy.org for more information on solar, wind, biomass, and other renewable energy resources!

Arkansas Renewable Energy News
July/August 2006

 

Welcome to the Arkansas Renewable Energy e-newsletter! This newsletter is a bi-monthly feature of the Arkansas Renewable Energy website. Visit the website at www.arkansasrenewableenergy.org for more information on solar, wind, biomass, and other renewable energy resources!

 

"Not only will atomic power be released, but someday we will harness the rise and fall of the tides and imprison the rays of the sun." — Thomas Edison

In This Issue...

News...

• University of Arkansas Captures Solar Splash Title
• New Website Focuses on Arkansas Biomass Resources
• Automakers to Increase Renewable-fuel Vehicle Production
• Companies to Launch 'Ethanol Corridor' in Heartland
• USDA and DOE Announce National Renewable Energy Conference
• Chevron Launches Biodiesel Company
• Western Governors Commit to Clean Energy
• IRS Qualifies Honda and Toyota Hybrids for Tax Credits

Funding Oportunities
Website Spotlight
Mark Your Calendars!
Tip of the Month

 

News

University of Arkansas Captures Solar Splash Title
The University of Arkansas is the overall winner and Collegiate World Champion of the 2006 Solar Splash competition. The event was held for the first time in Fayetteville and will probably be there again next year. Lake Fayetteville was a beautiful location and, although there was a little inclement weather, most of the competition had plenty of sunshine to power the boats.
http://www.arkansasrenewableenergy.org/solar%20splash06.pdf

New Website Focuses on Arkansas Biomass Resources
Biomass is an important energy resource that, in many cases, can substitute for or supplement fossil fuels and also be cost-competitive. However, many stakeholders are not aware of the potential for bioenergy to reduce their costs or what is involved in implementing bioenergy projects. The 2005 Arkansas Biomass Resource Assessment study and website help increase this awareness by quantifying target feedstocks and locations for bioenergy systems in the state of Arkansas . The project is funded by a grant from the Department of Energy, through the Southern States Energy Board, to the Arkansas Energy Office (AEO). Partners in the project include AEO, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, and the Arkansas Forestry Commission. 
http://www.arkbiomass.com/

Automakers to Increase Renewable-fuel Vehicle Production
As reported in EERE News , DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation will double the production of vehicles capable of running on ethanol or blends of biodiesel with diesel fuel. By 2010, the companies plan to produce 2 million vehicles that will run on either E85—a blend containing 85 percent ethanol—or biodiesel blends. For example, DaimlerChrysler will produce 500,000 flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on E85, by the end of model year 2008 and has approved B20 (a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel) for use in Dodge diesel truck fleets. Leaders of the three companies made their pledge in a letter that was sent to all members of the U.S. Congress. http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=23712

Companies to Launch 'Ethanol Corridor' in Heartland
Ford and VeraSun Energy, an ethanol producer, have announced plans to add 14 new E85 fuel pumps at retail locations along I-55, which runs through Illinois from Chicago to East Saint Louis . The announcement is part of a commitment to E85 that the two companies made in November 2005. In addition, Ford has launched a new advertising campaign to promote alternative fuels. http://www.verasun.com/press/releases_06-29-06_02.htm

USDA and DOE Announce National Renewable Energy Conference
USDA and DOE have announced that they will co-host a national renewable energy conference to help create partnerships and strategies necessary to accelerate commercialization of renewable energy industries and distribution systems. The conference—Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance—is scheduled for October 10-12, 2006 , in St. Louis , Missouri . "We are hopeful this conference will identify major impediments and critical pathways to get more domestically grown, renewable energy sources out of the laboratory and into consumers' hands as soon as possible," said Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman. The conference will address biomass, wind, and solar research and commercialization.
http://www.energy.gov/news/3773.htm

Chevron Launches Biodiesel Company
Chevron Corporation has launched a biofuels business division with a goal of advancing the technology and pursuing commercial opportunities relating to ethanol and biodiesel production. The biofuels business division will operate within Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV), a corporate subsidiary dedicated to identifying, developing, and commercializing emerging energy technologies. The subsidiary is currently involved in hydrogen-related technologies, advanced energy storage technologies, renewable energy, and nanotechnology.

Chevron announced the new business unit at the groundbreaking for a biodiesel plant in Galveston , Texas , that could eventually produce 100 million gallons of biodiesel per year—a significant number when compared to last year's biodiesel production in the United States , which totaled only 75 million gallons. Chevron is an investor in Galveston Bay Biodiesel, which is building the plant. The biodiesel facility will have an initial production capacity of 20 million gallons of biodiesel per year when it is completed later this year.
http://www.chevron.com/news/press/2006/2006-05-31.asp

 

Western Governors Commit to Clean Energy
Western governors have announced a commitment to improving energy efficiency, increasing clean energy resources, and ensuring adequate transmission at a reasonable cost well into the future. The governors' commitment stemmed from a newly released report from their Clean and Diversified Energy Advisory Committee, which included 38 recommendations relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as a number of recommendations relating to electrical transmission and advanced power generation from fossil fuels. The clean energy recommendations involve market incentives; regulatory policies; transmission access and pricing; regional efforts; and national policy recommendations.
http://www.westgov.org/wga/press/plenary1-pr.htm

IRS Qualifies Honda and Toyota Hybrids for Tax Credits
The IRS recently announced that seven Honda vehicles will qualify for a federal tax credit if purchased after January 1, 2006 . The credits vary from $650 to $2,100 for several models of Honda Insight, Civic Hybrid, and Accord Hybrid. The IRS previously certified the tax credits for Toyota and Ford; in late April, the IRS added the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid and the 2007 Lexus GS 450h, with credits of $2,600 and $1,550, respectively.
http://www.hondanews.com/CatID1000?mid=2006060538219&mime=asc
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=156381,00.html

 

Funding Opportunities

 

Clean School Bus Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the Blue Skyways, Clean School Bus USA Program for projects that reduce pollution from school buses through the use of certified and verified pollution-reduction technologies. This program assists school districts with modernizing diesel fleets to lower diesel emissions. Strategies to be considered under this program include retrofit or replacement of existing buses and switching to cleaner fuels. Projects must take place within EPA Regions 6 and 7, which include AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX, and NM. Some $1.14 million is expected to be available. Responses are due July 27, 2006 .
http://www.epa.gov/region07/economics/pdf/epa-r7artd-06-008.pdf

 

Solar America Initiative Technology Pathway Partnership Grants
DOE is requesting proposals for cost-shared, public-private partnerships to advance solar energy technology. The solicitation focuses on development, testing, demonstration, validation, and deployment of new photovoltaic components, systems, and manufacturing equipment. DOE plans to award $170 million over three years to industry-led groups that may include one or more companies, universities, national laboratories, or non-governmental organizations. Applications are due October 2, 2006 .
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=10114

Website Spotlight

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
Wondering what energy-related incentives are available in Arkansas ? Check out DSIRE! This comprehensive and valuable website provides information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. The website also now includes state and federal incentives for energy efficiency. Find out what's available today!
http://www.dsireusa.org/

 

 

Mark Your Calendars!

 

Here's a sample of the many upcoming events focusing on energy issues. For a more complete list, see our Events Calendar!

 

Ozark Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Expo
July 29-30, 2006
Hermann , MO
This two-day festival is designed to help educate and to bring renewables and sustainable energy to the forefront of Missouri living.
http://www.ozarkre.org/

Energy 2006
August 6-9, 2006
Chicago, IL
This program is specifically designed to meet the needs of Federal Government and military energy managers/decision-makers, utility company staff, engineers, architects, energy service company representatives, transportation officials, private sector energy specialists and others involved in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
http://www.energy2006.net/

Renewables & Energy Efficiency
August 10-11, 2006
Seattle , WA
This conference brings together federal and state policy makers, developers, and financial players to address current issues in renewables and energy efficiency. These high-level speakers will address the present status and prognosis for federal and state policies on renewables and energy efficiency, the next wave of technology that will make a difference, and necessary preconditions for increased investment in this sector.
http://www.lawseminars.com/seminars/06RENUWA.php

 

Tip of the Month:
Improve the Efficiency of Existing Windows

A considerable amount of energy can be lost through inefficient windows. If your windows are old, single-pane units, you might consider replacing them with new ENERGY STAR-certified windows. These windows take advantage of the latest technologies to perform at levels that meet or exceed strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, see ENERGY STAR's Residential Windows, Doors and Skylights section at http://energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_windows

Looking for ways to improve your windows' performance without replacing them? There are a variety of window treatments that will help block the escape of conditioned air to the outside, such as awnings, shades, removable storm windows, and draperies. For more information on such products, see DOE's Window Treatment and Coverings publication at http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/windows_doors_skylights/index.cfm/mytopic=13500 .

Before installing window treatments, seal your windows using caulk and weatherstripping to stop air flow. Get more information at http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11260 .

 

 

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