DOE Renewable Energy Loan Guarantees

There are plenty of ways to encourage investment in renewable energy.



DOE Announces Solicitations for $30.5 Billion in Loan Guarantees



Second Round of Solicitations includes renewable energy, nuclear, and ‘front-end’ nuclear power facility projects


WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced three solicitations for a total of up to $30.5 billion in federal loan guarantees for projects that employ advanced energy technologies that...(complete news release here).

Impact of Farm Bill on Conservation Funding

How does the new Farm Bill affect Conservation Funds?

Germination of Conservation Fortunes in the New Farm Bill Remains Uncertain

After months of negotiations and several extensions of the 2002 legislation, Congress was finally able to craft a 2008 Farm Bill that garnered enough support on Capitol Hill to override the veto issued by the White House. As with most legislation similarly comprehensive, there are good points, and others not so good from a wildlife conservation perspective, according to the Wildlife Management Institute.

Among the more disappointing...(complete article here).

The Panhandle Wind & Wildlife Conference

A very important event will be occurring August 8 & 9, 2008, in Amarillo, Texas. It is the Panhandle Wind & Wildlife Conference. The 2-day event will include guest speakers, round-table discussions and end with a tour of one of the area's wind farms. It is designed to bring together all of the various groups that have an interest in the huge wind farm developments occurring in the Texas Panhandle and neighboring areas of the High Plains.

Wind Farms are being touted as one of the most environmentally friendly alternative energy sources. The conference will take a hard look at some of the issues surrounding that development and the impact to landowners, wildlife and citizens in the area. It is designed for anyone with an interest in wind energy or wildlife. It promises to be extremely informative as well as an opportunity to share various perspectives on the issues. Follow the link to obtain information on how to register.

Ozone Being Eaten by the Ocean

Greenhouses gases being gobbled by the earth?

Destruction of greenhouse gases over tropical Atlantic

26 June 2008
Large amounts of ozone - around 50% more than predicted by the world's state-of-the-art climate models - are being destroyed in the lower atmosphere over the tropical Atlantic Ocean.

Published today in the scientific journal Nature, this startling discovery was...(complete article here).

Requested Ethanol Waiver

Thank you Governor Perry.

Texas governor urges EPA to grant ethanol waiver

By Ayesha Rascoe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday urged the U.S. government to help consumers and businesses cope with record-high grain prices by granting his request to cut this year's federal ethanol mandate by half.

The Republican governor...(complete article here).

EU Pesticed Controls

The EU continues down the path of reactionary measures to the "screeching" of the extreme environmentalists and MSM fear-mongering. Without clear scientific evidence, they will eliminate the use of many pesticides and limit the use of others. The result will be lower crop yields which will further increase the price of food. The question is NOT will people die of pesticide poisoning or die of hunger -- but it could be will they die of hunger because of irrational fears that pesticide use "might" harm the environment.

EU to tighten pesticide controls

Good stewardship of our resources should be for the benefit of mankind -- NOT for the self-interests of an elite few.

India's Potential is Unrealized

India has tremendous potential to become a food exporter. Instead, it imports many crops.

India’s Growth Outstrips Crops

By SOMINI SENGUPTA
Published: June 22, 2008

JALANDHAR, India — With the right technology and policies, India could help feed the world. Instead, it can barely feed itself. (complete article here)

South Korea and U.S. Finally Reach Beef Deal

This is good not only for the U.S. beef industry but for our balance of trade as well.

South Korea and U.S. Reach Deal on American Beef

By CHOE SANG-HUN
Published: June 22, 2008

SEOUL — South Korea and the United States reached an agreement after a week of negotiations to restrict exports of American beef to South Korea, officials here said on Saturday, just hours before a large protest rally was scheduled to demand more concessions from the United States.

American trade envoys agreed to restrict beef exports to...(complete article here).

New Solar Technology From MIT

The future of our energy supply will be in new technologies.

MIT prototype solar dish passes first tests

Low-cost system could revolutionize global energy production

David Chandler,
MIT News Office
June 18, 2008

A team led by MIT students this week successfully tested a prototype of what may be the most cost-efficient solar power system in the world--one team members believe has the potential to revolutionize global energy production.

The system consists of...(complete article here).

Geothermal Investment

We need continued investment into developing all of our energy potential.

DOE Seeks to Invest up to $90 Million in Advanced Geothermal Energy Technology and Research

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for up to $90 million over four years to advance the research, development and demonstration of next-generation geothermal energy technology which will harness the earth's interior heat extracted from hot water or rocks. Currently, DOE has up to...(complete article here).

Farm Bill Override Expected

I think that an override is inevitable.

Bush Vetoes $290 Billion Farm Bill, Again

Switchgrass Ethanol Project in Oklahoma

Growing crops for cellulosic ethanol doesn't address the issue of competing uses for land, however, it does move us closer to energy independence.

Farming for cellulosic ethanol gets started

Switchgrass planted, idea is to avoid fuel vs. food competition

GUYMON, Okla. (AP) - Work has started on the planting of a 1,000-acre switchgrass field in the Oklahoma Panhandle that researchers plan to use in the production of cellulosic ethanol.

The field is being touted as the world's largest for switchgrass, a drought-resistant perennial plant that grows even on marginal lands. Scientists at...(complete article here).

Australian Drought Impact

The drought situation in Australia is one of the largest impacters of food prices around the world. Add to that the current floods in the upper Midwest of the U.S. and you have a formula for further increases -- especially as rising petroleum prices continue to put upward pressure on transportation costs.

Australia food bowl areas "beyond repair in months"

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Parts of Australia's key Murray-Darling river food bowl may be beyond recovery unless a prolonged dry spell and political wrangling over water use ends by October, a leaked scientific report warned on Wednesday.

"There has been 10 years at least that people have said you have got to...(complete article here).

McCain Backs Opening Reserves to Drilling

Let's utilize the resources at hand while continuing to develop new sources of energy.

McCain touts energy conservation and oil exploration

By Jeff Mason

DALLAS (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain will call on Tuesday for energy conservation and the lifting of a ban on oil and natural gas exploration as two ways to help address the nation's "dangerous" dependence on foreign oil.

McCain, an Arizona senator who has wrapped up his party's presidential nomination, has made...(complete article here).

UK Farm Labor Crisis

Agricultural labor is also an issue in the U.S. Few people are attracted to it because of the long hours and less-than-ideal working conditions.

UK 'facing farming labour crisis'

The UK is facing a labour crisis in the agriculture and horticulture industry, a trade union warns.
Unite says an ageing workforce, combined with migrant workers returning home, is leading to a labour gap which could affect food supplies.

It is calling on...(complete article here).

No Beef Exports to Korea Yet....

The "fear-mongers" strike again.


US, South Korean officials end beef talks

By FOSTER KLUG
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The top U.S. and South Korean trade envoys broke off talks Sunday without resolving a crisis over the resumption of American beef shipments that has shaken South Korea's pro-U.S. government.

South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon, who flew into Washington on Friday for discussions, was returning home, U.S. Trade Representative spokeswoman Gretchen Hamel said.

Kim and Susan Schwab, the U.S. trade envoy, held "frank and candid discussions" Friday and Saturday, Hamel said, but, "in order to...(complete article here).

Saudi's Indicate Increased Oil Production

It will take a while for any increase to have an impact at the pump due to the lag time from production through the transportation and refining phase before ultimately being shipped to the local fuel distributor. The most immediate impact will likely be on the futures market.

Saudi Arabia says more crude on way

Kingdom may be getting nervous about the effects of high oil prices

By Jad Mouawad
New York Times

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, is planning to increase its output next month by about a half-million barrels a day, according to analysts and oil traders who have been briefed by Saudi officials.

The increase could bring Saudi output to...(complete article here).

Food Before Fuel

Take action on the Ethanol Crisis. Register your comment with the EPA before the comment deadline at THIS site. All the work has been done for you. Just fill out the form by following the prompts and it will generate your letter. It is important that we take action now!

Politicization of Environmental Science

OK. My first question is, "Who funded this study?"

Environmental Skeptics Are Overwhelmingly Politicized, Study Says

by Ben Block on June 11, 2008

A review of environmental skepticism literature from the past 30 years has found that the vast majority of skeptics, often identified as independent, are directly linked to politically oriented, conservative think tanks.

The study, published in this month's issue of Environmental Politics, analyzed books written between 1972 and 2005 that deny the urgency of environmental protection. The researchers found that more than 92 percent of the skeptical authors were in some way affiliated to conservative think tanks - non-profit research and advocacy organizations that promote core conservative ideals.

While many environmental skeptics are...(complete article here).

A Hydrogen Infrastructure

With a gasoline filling station on virtually every corner, it is easy to forget how the situation was when the first internal combustion engine vehicles came into being. We're there again with the advent of new energy technologies. If you drive a hydrogen fuel-cell car, where do you fill it?

General Motors working on new hydrogen stations

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - General Motors Corp said on Wednesday it was partnering with Clean Energy Fuels Corp on a new hydrogen refueling station in...(complete article here).

Windpower Electrical Infrastructure for Texas

Texas leads the nation in windpower generation. The problem is that the wind is in West Texas and the population centers are in East Texas. It will take massive investment in infrastructure in order to effeciently and effectively move that power from its source to the point of need. Texas is developing the model that will help pave the way for other states to follow.

Texas mulls power lines needed for more wind farms

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Wind-power supporters called on Texas regulators at a hearing on Wednesday to "aim high" and approve plans for nearly 25,000 megawatts of wind generation while others urged caution before companies invest billions to build new transmission.

Members of the Texas Public Utility Commission are struggling to decide how much new transmission should be built to...(complete article here).

More U.S. Aid to Africa

Infrastructure is critical to getting crops from the fields to markets.

Boost for Africa green revolution

A US government aid agency has formed an alliance with a group headed by former UN chief Kofi Annan to try to boost African agriculture.

Mr Annan has called for a "green revolution" to solve the food crisis.

The new partnership aims to invest in Africa's inadequate infrastructure, as well as...(complete article here).

Updated Agricultural Supply and Demand

An update from the USDA:

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates

Garmin for Cows??

Can't you just see a bunch of cows walking around the pasture with headsets on? Think of what they might hear....

"Turn left at the first prickly pear cactus and proceed 223 paces to the first Hackberry tree on your right. Turn at a 45 degree angle to the right and proceed...."

A Futuristic Linkage of Animals and Electronics

By Don Comis
June 6, 2008

The same Global Positioning System (GPS) technology used to track vehicles is now being used to track cows.

But Agricultural Research Service (ARS) animal scientist Dean M. Anderson has taken tracking several steps further with a Walkman-like headset that enables him to "whisper" wireless commands to cows to...(complete news release here).

ISU Ethanol Policy Impact Model

From Iowa State: A new model for estimating impacts of various Federal policies.

Short-Run Price and Welfare Impacts of Federal Ethanol Policies

New Variety of Barley is Released

USDA's ARS releases a new variety of Barley.

"Clearwater": An Eco-Friendly Feed Barley

By Marcia Wood
June 5, 2008

A new barley that benefits the environment as well as farm animals has been developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and their colleagues.

"Clearwater" hulless barley is...(complete news release here).

Water Wars May Be Coming

You folks who live where water is abundant don't understand this issue. Here on the Plains we know about water and how critical it is to survival. Plenty of early range wars were fought over water sources. He who controlled the water controlled the range.

Probing Question: Are water wars in our future?

Monday, June 2, 2008

By Lisa DucheneResearch/Penn State
Schoolkids know that over 70 percent of Earth's surface is washed in water. Yet very little of that abundance — less than two percent — is available for drinking and agriculture. Over the last 50 years, moreover, freshwater use has tripled as global population has doubled, leading to scarcities in many regions of the globe. According to the United Nations, over 1.1 billion of the world's people lack access to a clean water supply.

With rapid population growth, wasteful practices, and impending...(complete article here).

Power Sources vs Wildlife Risk

There are risks in everything that we do. It is a question of risk management -- although not necessarily in the sense that an investor would think of it.

EnergyResearch finds wind power poses least risk to wildlife

By TOM FOWLER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Wind and nuclear power plants have the lowest potential impact on wildlife among the major U.S. electricity sources, according to a report examining several decades of research.

Taking into account the entire life cycle of a power project — from extraction of the fuel through plant construction, operation and shutdown — the risks to...(complete article here).

Niger Plus China Equals Oil

China is hungry for energy in all of its forms. This is a two-edged sword for the world. If China cannot get the energy that it needs from peaceful means, there is incentive to take it by force. If China gets the energy that it needs, with its population and size of economy, it will dominate the world scene. If you were their neighbor wouldn't you be nervous? This world is pretty small. I think we're all their neighbor.

Niger set to become oil producer

China will invest $5bn (£2.5bn) over the next three years to develop oil production in Niger.

State-owned China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) is expected to produce the country's first barrel of oil in 2009.

Under the agreement, CNPC will build a 2000-km pipeline and a refinery with a capacity of 20,000 barrels a day.

The investment in...(complete article here).

Senator Cornyn Addresses the Climate Bill

Senator Cornyn is showing exceptional leadership skills as he seeks to influence the Senate to move toward common sense solutions for our energy problems. We need to let him know that we support his efforts!

Cornyn: Climate Debate Must Be Mindful Of Unintended Consequences

The entire news release is one that should be read but, I particularly liked this last line...

“We can be good stewards of our environment while taking responsible steps to lower gas prices and strengthen domestic energy production.”

Texas in Biodiesel Lead

Texas is now the largest U.S. producer of energy from wind and biodiesel. Is solar next?

Houston biodiesel plant to use non-food feedstock

By BRETT CLANTON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Texas expanded its lead as the biggest producer of biodiesel fuel in the U.S. with the opening today of the nation's largest biodiesel refinery at the Houston Ship Channel.

The facility, owned by...(complete article here).