Bush Delivers Mixed Message of Support for Ethanol
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
With oil trading consistently at well over 70 dollars a barrel and those prices reflected at every local gas station, President Bush delivered a speech on Tuesday outlining his recommendations to alleviate this price pressure. His speech was widely heralded by the renewable energy industry for its upbeat assessment of renewables, especially biofuels, but it fell short of calling for any major new plans on renewables. And in an ironic twist, it may lead to some disappointment from the ethanol industry.

Long-Term Solar Tax Credits Introduced in Congress
by Andy Kollmorgen, RenewableEnergyAccess.com News
As lawmakers in the nation's Capitol scramble to confront record energy prices, legislation was introduced in Congress this week that could have a lasting impact on the renewable energy market in the U.S. - particularly for solar energy. The "Securing America's Energy Independence Act," calls for extending the solar tax credit for eight years and for changing the credit cap from $2000 per system to $2000 per kilowatt. The credit will apply to solar systems and cells.

Schwarzenegger Directs State Agencies on Biofuel Use
This week, Governor Schwarzenegger directed several state agencies to take steps toward the wider use of biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel. The Governor issued Executive Order S-06-06 establishing non-binding targets for the use and production of biomass products such as biofuels (liquid) and biogas (gas) as an integral part of California's renewable portfolio standard.

Indiana Passes Ethanol, Biodiesel Tax Credit
Companies now have greater incentive to produce renewable fuels in Indiana due to tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel production extended through the Biofuels Use and Production Credits Bill (Senate Enrolled Act 353). This will move the state closer to its goal of producing one billion gallons of renewable fuel annually.

Iowa Congressman Introduces Biofuels Legislation
With record gas prices at the pumps and a public grumbling for relief, Congressional lawmakers have seized the opportunity to advance bills promoting homegrown biofuels that could both address the problem and likely benefit their home states.

Wave Power Generator Gains Funding for Ocean Energy
With successful trials putting electricity into the Portuguese national grid already complete, equity funding for the Archimedes Wave Swing (AWS) generator of GBP2 million [~USD$3.6 million] has now been raised by its developer, AWS Ocean Energy Ltd., a privately owned Scottish company.

Air Force Committed to Energy-Efficiency, Renewable Energy
The Air Force continues its pledge to be a leader in energy stewardship. For the last six months, the Air Force has been working on a strategy to have energy as a consideration in nearly all of its activities, from operations to acquisition. Inevitably, this has also led to increased interest in renewable energy and fuels.

Jeep Flex Fuel Vehicle Unveiled for 2007
DaimlerChrysler's commitment to manufacturing Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) is witnessed in the recent addition of Jeep Commanders and Grand Cherokees engineered to operate on clean, renewable, American-made ethanol fuel. They will be available to U.S. customers in 2007.

Evergreen Solar Begins Shipments from New Facility
Evergreen Solar announced that the new EverQ manufacturing plant in Thalheim, Germany, has begun making volume shipments of finished solar modules to the company's customers. Also, along with its quarterly earnings report, the company assured its investors that silicon supply arrangements are in order and not anticipated to effect future earnings.

Integrated Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Project Wins Eurosolar UK Award
The Hydrogen and Renewables Integration (HARI) Project has been declared joint winner in the 2006 Eurosolar UK Awards under the nonprofit-organizations category. The announcement about the HARI Project was made at the Lord Mayor's reception at the International Solar Cities Congress, which was held in Oxford in early April.

Be Part of a Solar Power Rooftop Going Up in Kansas
The public is invited to observe a demonstration in Topeka, Kansas, on how to install home-based photovoltaic (PV) rooftop solar power. The installation of the 1.8-kilowatt (kW) Uni-Solar thin-film laminate PV metal roof, designed for home-based rooftop solar power, will commence on Friday, April 28, 2006, at 8 a.m. Uni-Solar trainers will attend, and volunteer electricians and roofers are needed to assist with the installation.

GSPI Signs Biodiesel Engineering Contract
Green Star Products (GSPI) signed a contract to provide field engineering and construction expertise for a North Carolina Biodiesel Plant. It will be funded and owned by Renewable Resources International (RRI), which is owned by a group of environmentally conscious investors that collectively own approximately 3 percent of GSPI stock. This facility could generate up to $4 million in royalties each year to GSPI at full capacity.

Forum to Focus on "Peak Oil and the Environment"
A three-day conference to address the implications of two overlapping global crises -- the coming peak in worldwide oil production and the continuing disruption of ecosystems due to global climate change -- convenes in Washington, DC, from May 7 to May 9 at the Marvin Center (800 21st St. NW).

Solar Energy Milestone Reached in the Arizona Desert
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
This weekend in the Arizona desert, 30 miles north of Tucson, the first Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) trough-style energy facility to be constructed in nearly two decades will officially go online and begin delivering power to the U.S. grid. The rows of gleaming mirrored troughs that power a one-megawatt (MW) generator represent a new phase for solar energy in Arizona and the broader U.S.

GE Energy Takes Equity Position in Ocean Energy Company
UK-based Ocean Power Delivery (OPD), the company behind the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter, received a major vote of confidence this week as U.S. industrial giant General Electric took an equity position in the company.

Utility-Scale Wind Turbine for Mass. Maritime Academy
With its campus at the western mouth of the Cape Cod Canal, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) enjoys the abundant endowment of wind resources available along the southeastern Massachusetts coast. Last year, Admiral Richard Gurnon, Commandant and President of the Academy, decided to take maximum advantage of that resource and signed a contract to power his campus with a utility-scale grid-interconnected wind turbine.

Irish Political Party Plans Major Steps in Biofuels, Renewables
One of Ireland's major political parties, Fine Gael, has unveiled a party-wide plan to transform Ireland's approach to renewable energy that would have Ireland generating 33% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025, making Ireland a world leader in sustainable energy technology.

Green Power Buyers Funds Solar Mini-Grants
To all the cheers that may have been received from the Federal government for passage of tax credits for the purchase of renewable energy systems, nonprofits and other tax-exempt entities are left out of the loop. Thanks to a new PV Reinvestment Fund, nonprofits and others may apply for grants of up to $3,000 to help offset the initial cost of a photovoltaic (PV) system.

One MW Fuel Cell Power Plant for California State University
FuelCell Energy and its partner Alliance Power announced the sale of a one megawatt (MW) fuel cell power plant to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) for a combined heat and power (CHP) application to help the university meet its goals for greater energy independence, capital growth, cost management and increased use of green power.

Environmental Screening Complete for Ontario Wind Power
Enbridge Ontario Wind Power LP gave notice that the Environmental Screening has been completed for its 200-megawatt (MW) wind power project planned for the eastern shore of Lake Huron in Bruce County, Ontario.

Australia to Mitigate Climate Change with Clean Energy
Six of Australia's leading companies recently declared that "Climate change is a major business risk and we need to act now," in a joint statement by the Australian Business Roundtable on Climate Change. Business and government leaders are in agreement with 98% of the world's scientists, states the release from the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), who say we need to deploy clean energy solutions now if we are to halt runaway greenhouse gas emissions.

Automotive Students Test Their Hydrogen Engines
In mid-May, testing begins on three internal combustion engines for automobiles calibrated to run on hydrogen rather than gasoline, marking the culmination of the automotive-technology project that took students at Lansing Community College three semesters to complete.

SunPower Solar Cells Grace BIPV System in NYC
SunPower Corporation integrated its A-300 solar cells into curtain wall solar panels for the Millennium Towers high-rise building in Battery Park City, located in lower Manhattan, using Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV).

Biomass Technology Goes to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina
The signing of an agreement in principle to form a joint venture to be named First American Scientific Brazil Ltda., with South American Bio-Energy Corp Ltda of Uruguay and Bruno Industrial Ltda of Brazil was announced by Brian Nichols, President of First American Scientific Corp. (FASC).The JV will manufacture, market, and operate KDS equipment in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.

Small-Hydro Units Move Toward Manufacturing Base
Internal Hydro International (IHDR) is receiving separate proposals from a final two manufacturing entities, for the production of the Energy Commander V (EC V) low-impact hydro 30-kilowatt (kW) units for North American production. The manufacturers, located in the southern U.S., are both capable of bringing to production the 500 units of the EC V during the first year of domestic production, and expanding production in the future.

Solar Scholars to Become Solar Energy Leaders
To cultivate the "solar energy leaders, policy-makers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow," the Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) partnered with six Pennsylvania colleges and universities to launch Solar Scholars, a solar-energy education program for university-level students, said to be the first and only program of its kind in the nation.

California Biodiesel Mandate Moves Forward
California State Senator Christine Kehoe's measure to increase the state's use of biodiesel by 2008 continued to progress through the legislature yesterday when it passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee by a vote of 4 to 2. Senate Bill 1675 requires that biodiesel be blended into the state's existing diesel fuel supply at a level of 2% by 2008, and 5% by 2010.

Cape Wind Supporters Bring the Fight to the Capitol
Leaders of a diverse group of labor, trade, industry and environmental organizations announced the creation of a broad coalition working to strike language in a Coast Guard Bill they say unfairly targets the controversial Cape Wind project.

Geopolitics and the Energy of Transportation Collide at PGRE&F
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
At last week's all-renewables trade show and conference, Power-Gen Renewable Energy & Fuels (PGRE&F), some gradual shifts in the renewable energy industry came into sharper focus for attendees and exhibitors. Some key takeaways included the rising use of biofuels, the escalating security implications of the nation's energy use -- especially the vulnerable transportation sector -- and promising new solutions such as Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).

Offshore Wind Power Coalition to Call on Congress
A new coalition representing a diverse mix of representatives from industry, labor, maritime and the environment will hold a press conference Thursday, April 20 at 10 a.m. at the National Press Club to announce a campaign to urge Congress to reject an amendment inserted into a Coast Guard Bill by a small number of Congressmen and Senators in Conference Committee.

Ten Start-ups Vie for Clean Tech Energy Prizes
Ten start-up companies have made a compelling case to energy venture capitalists, CEOs, and industry experts that they have the right stuff to build new clean energy tech companies -- helping to create one of the fastest growing industry clusters in Massachusetts.

Air Force Requests Bids on 18 MW Solar Energy Project
The U.S. Air Force is already the largest purchaser of renewable energy credits (RECs). Now the USAF is on the way to supporting the construction of one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the world.

Large Solar Wafer Production Operation Destined for Germany
Prime Solar Pty Ltd., a Perth based company, will set up a manufacturing facility in Germany to produce 680 megawatts (MW) per year of silicon wafers at an estimated project cost of US $525 million. The facility will operate 24 hours a day and offer more than 1,000 full-time employment opportunities.

AES Announces $1 Billion Renewable Energy Investments
Through the creation of an alternative energy business group, the AES Corp. said it intends to expand its businesses in wind power generation, biomass and the development of LNG terminals. AES will invest approximately $1 billion over the next three years to expand the company's alternative energy business and offer new projects and technologies.

Wind Power Contract Secured for Prince Edward Island
With construction of the $18 million, 9-megawatt (MW) Norway Wind Park expected to begin this year and commissioned in the spring of 2007, Ventus Energy signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with PEI Energy Corp. to sell wind power.

Zero Energy Home Project Offers Data for Green Building Industry
The Borrego Springs Zero Energy Demonstration Project consists of four demonstration homes in an extreme desert climate, all of which use a combination of the latest efficient, affordable and innovative zero energy technologies for the purpose of studying their energy efficiency and affordability over the course of one year.

GM Helps Michigan Develop 20 E85 Gas Stations
Even though research shows that many owners of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which total 1.5 million on the roads today, do not know that their vehicles are capable of using E85, there is progress in making the public aware through projects such as this collaboration between GM, the state of Michigan, Meijer and CleanFUEL USA.

New Jersey Approves Highest per Capita Solar Commitment
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
New Jersey, which could boast the best solar energy rebates in the nation, now also offers one of the best statewide renewable energy mandates -- including the highest per capita solar energy requirement. The move is expected to usher in new wind power, biomass and ocean energy projects.

GE Refines, Expands Wind Turbine Production Line
While specific proposed wind power developments face their fair share of challenges including local and political opposition, one of the greatest challenges to wind power as a whole is a tight and increasingly expensive supply chain for key components like turbines.

Chemical Giant Plans New Solar Strides
The inauguration this week of a relatively modest solar energy project at a DuPont facility, by contrast, symbolizes a considerably large new effort on the company's part to tap into the hot solar energy market.

FPL Selects Park/Landfill for 250 kW Solar PV Array
Through its Sunshine Energy program, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) selected Rothenbach Park in Sarasota as the site for its first solar photovoltaic (PV) array. The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners approved the location for the site, pending final permitting. Rothenbach Park is also the location of the closed Bee Ridge Landfill.

PGE Proposes Wind Power Site for Oregon
If the recent agreement between Portland General Electric (PGE) and Orion Energy, LLC for development rights to construct a wind farm capable of producing between 350 and 450 megawatts (MW) of energy at the proposed 25,000-acre Biglow Canyon Wind Farm in Sherman County, Oregon, is approved by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC), it could produce enough electricity to power 100,000 homes, potentially becoming one of the largest wind power projects in the nation.

London Looks to the East for Clean City Inspiration
While on tour in Shanghai, China, the Mayor of London announced plans for a new zero carbon development in London. The development, which is likely to be situated in the Thames Gateway, aims to demonstrate that major developments can be designed to meet exemplary sustainable standards -- achieving very low carbon emissions -- at standard development costs and easily replicable.

Shiloh Wind Power Project Begins Delivering Power
Pacific Gas and Electric Company this week began delivering 75 megawatts (MW) of renewable wind energy resources to electricity customers from PPM Energy's Shiloh I Wind Project, LLC. The Shiloh project, located in Solano County, is the first newly constructed renewable energy facility to begin delivering electricity to PG&E customers under California's Renewables Portfolio Standards (RPS) Program.

Bill Signed by Arizona Governor Allows the Sale of E85
E85 can now be sold in the greater Phoenix area. Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano recently signed a bill into law that will allow the alternative fuel to be available throughout Maricopa County.

Industry-wide, EU-Funded Wind Project Under Way
More than 100 wind energy specialists gathered in Brussels to kick off the largest ever long-term wind energy research project to receive funding from the EU.

125 MW More Wind Power in Texas Helps Meet Demand
To meet Texans' demand for renewable energy, TXU Wholesale increased its portfolio of wind power contracts in a 125-megawatt (MW) agreement with Airtricity, a renewable energy company based in Dublin, Ireland. When the Airtricity contract goes into effect January 1, 2007, it will increase TXU Wholesale and its affiliates' current contracts from 580 MW of renewable energy generated from 702 wind turbines to 705 MW, using 756 turbines.

EPOD to Build 5 MW Solar Panel Factory in BC
To increase its solar panel manufacturing capacity, EPOD International intends to construct a 5-megawatt (MW) solar panel manufacturing facility in Kelowna, British Columbia. An estimated 2 MW of production capacity is anticipated to be available within six months, with the annual capacity of the plant projected to be the full 5 MW upon completion.

Plug Power to Receive $217 M to Forward Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Plug Power announced that a $217 million cash investment in Plug Power has been agreed on by two companies, Interros, a Russian investment firm, and Norilsk Nickel, a producer of nickel and palladium. The investment is being made through Smart Hydrogen, a joint venture of the principal Interros investors and Norilsk Nickel, which was formed to participate in the global hydrogen economy.

Wind Energy Workshop for Colorado's Eastern Plains
On Thursday, April 20, renewable energy and financial experts will conduct a free workshop, "Small Scale Wind Project Development and Financing," to promote renewable energy and financial opportunities to Colorado's Eastern Plains.

NZ Offers Geothermal Potential for Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
After compiling an inventory of New Zealand's abandoned wells, Dr. Agnes Reyes, a geothermal scientist of GNS Science, reports that temperatures at the bottom of about half of New Zealand's 360 abandoned on-shore oil and gas wells are hot enough to produce geothermal power.

Cornell Capital Commits $150 Million to Renewable Energy
Cornell Capital Partners plans to invest $150 million in cleantech and renewable energy companies worldwide over the next 12 months, according to Mark Angelo, Cornell's Portfolio Manager.

Spire Offers 25 Megawatt Turnkey Solar Cell Production Line
Spire Corp. is offering a complete, turnkey solution for silicon wafer, solar cell and solar-photovoltaic module manufacturing equipment, with its new 25 megawatt (MW) solar cell production line, the SPI-Line 25C.

UK Offshore Wind Energy Needs Funding, Study Reveals
New research shows that the UK offshore wind program can meet 6% of power needs by 2015 but not without additional Government intervention. The study, "Offshore Wind: At a Crossroads," which highlights the critical juncture in the UK, was recently released by the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) and Renewables East, the renewable energy agency for the East of England.

Fuel Economy Standards Could Downsize U.S. Foreign Oil Dependency
According to a study developed by Professor Daniel M. Kammen and his colleagues at U.C. Berkeley's Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL), America could end the need to import fossil fuels from the Persian Gulf region by 2020! "Towards Energy Independence in 2025" details immediate and long-term measures, basically increased fuel economy standards that, when applied to the nation's transportation sector and fleet of power plants, could reduce oil imports by more than 30 percent within 20 years.

NetCo Acquires Technology to Produce Ethanol
NetCo Investments Inc. signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire all the assets, including patents of Syntec Biofuel Inc., a scientific research company located in British Columbia that has developed and patented a catalyst to convert Syngas into ethanol. This is in response to the expected U.S. demand for ethanol (3.7 billion gallons in 2005) to increase to more than 7.5 billion gallons by 2012, claims the release.

U.S. Dairy Uses Renewable Energy from Manure
Green Valley Dairy in Krakow, Wisconsin, generates approximately four million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy a year, using manure from 2,500 head of cattle. That is enough to power about 400 average Wisconsin homes for one year.

ADM to Market Ethanol from New Siouxland Ethanol Plant
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Siouxland Ethanol LLC announce an ethanol marketing agreement in which ADM will market all ethanol produced by Siouxland Ethanol at its forthcoming 50 million gallon Jackson, Nebraska, facility.

Democrats Call for Bipartisan Solution for Energy Independence
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), along with 50 Democratic Senators and Representatives, sent a letter to President Bush and Vice President Cheney urging an emergency bipartisan national energy summit for lawmakers and stakeholders to solve the problem of America's dependence on foreign sources of oil.

DaimlerChrysler Delivers First Fuel Cell-Powered Police Car
DaimlerChrysler introduced what it says is the first police vehicle that is fuel cell-powered, and able to allow zero-emissions to law enforcement at the Wayne State University (WSU) Police Department in Detroit. The Mercedes F-Cell is outfitted with a third-generation police radio, decals, lights and sirens. The demanding operation of a police car will produce valuable data to help develop fuel cell technology.

Connecticut College Updates Its Renewable Energy Commitment
Connecticut College's Environmental Model Committee (EMC) has coordinated the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) that provide a subsidy for production of wind energy equal to about half of the college's annual electricity consumption.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells May Help U.S. Military Cut Gas Usage
Emerging automotive technology may eventually assist Americans -- and their military -- in reducing their dependence on hydrocarbon-based fuels for transportation needs. Government agencies such as the Defense and Energy departments are working to adapt new technologies like hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles that conserve finite, pollution-producing and increasingly expensive fossil fuels.

Renewable Energy Bill Introduced in U.S. Senate
With energy independence and renewable energy development a legislative priority for Congressional leaders, the introduction of another renewable energy legislative proposal made its way to the Senate floor last week. Senator Kent Conrad's (D-ND) bill, called Breaking Our Long-term Dependence (BOLD) Energy Act, includes a five-year extension of the solar investment tax credit for businesses through 2012 and an extension of the wind energy production tax credit for the same period.

Business Partnership Targets Green Building Progress
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is forming an alliance of leading global companies to determine how buildings can be designed and constructed so that they use no energy from external power grids, are carbon neutral, and can be built and operated at fair market values.

Utility-scale Ontario Wind Farm Commissioned
Canadian utility EPCOR welcomed Ontario Minister of Energy Donna Cansfield to celebrate the startup of operations at its Kingsbridge I Wind Power Project. The project is now complete, ahead of its June 30 deadline, with all 22 turbines in the 40-megawatt (MW) project currently generating electricity to Ontario's electrical grid.

Oregon Governor Pursues Ocean 'Wave Energy'
In voicing his support for a federal earmark of $3 million to establish a national Wave Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Center in Oregon, Governor Ted Kulongoski is bringing his state closer to a leadership role in renewable energy.

Study Explores State Actions to Clarify Renewable Energy Credits
Renewable energy certificates (REC) are increasingly important, especially in states that accept them as evidence of compliance with renewable portfolio standards (RPS). The emergence of RECs as a tradable commodity has made utilities, generators and regulators increasingly aware of the need to specify who owns the RECs in energy transactions, according to a new report released by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).

EERC's New $3M Hydrogen Facility to Add 100 Jobs
Construction will be under way next week on the $3 million, 15,000-square-foot facility that will allow the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) to capitalize on the tremendous growth in its hydrogen-related projects at the University of North Dakota (UND) National Center for Hydrogen Technology facility.

National Hydropower Association Appoints New President
Hydropower industry veteran David Youlen was appointed last week as the new president of the National Hydropower Association (NHA) for 2006-2007. Youlen is the vice president, New York operations, for Brookfield Power, Liverpool, New York.

Wartsila Biopower Plant Inaugurated in Sweden
The Lextorp combined heat and power (CHP) plant was inaugurated in the municipality of Trollhattan in Sweden, 70 km [113 miles] northeast of Gothenburg last week. This BioPower plant, which was delivered by Wartsila Corporation, began supplying heat to the district heating network of Trollhattan Energi, a municipal company, in December 2005, and the first electricity was delivered January 2006.

EPOD's 100 kW Solar Install Delivers Energy to Utility
Under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the German government, EPOD International's first commercial-scale 100-kW solar power system installed in Germany has now begun generating renewable energy for sale to the local electric utility.

New Job to Focus on Biomass Technology in Indiana
The person who gets appointed to a new position funded jointly by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and the Office of Energy and Defense Development (OED) will focus on biomass technologies to advance the state's already aggressive pilot bioenergy projects. Indiana also plans to develop more biofuel-production facilities.

Turbine Sales May Reap Windfall Revenue
Composite Technology Corporation's planned acquisition target EU Energy plc has concluded and announced a frame agreement with Anemos Energy Corporation to supply 125 DeWind 2-megawatt (MW) 60-Hz D8.2 wind-energy turbines for their projects over the next six years, with first turbines to be delivered in 2007.

Wells Fargo Invests $5 Million in Renewable Energy Fund
Wells Fargo & Company invested $5 million in the Carlyle/Riverstone Renewable Energy Infrastructure Fund I, L.P -- its first investment in a private-equity renewable energy fund. The investment is part of the company's pledge to provide $1 billion in lending, investments and other financial commitments by 2010 to environmentally beneficial business opportunities, including renewable energy.

Southwest Windpower Raises $8 Million in Growth Capital
Southwest Windpower (SWWP), producer of small wind generators, announced completion of an $8 million Series-B equity investment led by RockPort Capital Partners, a venture capital firm in Boston. CTTV Investments LLC, the venture capital arm of Chevron Technology Ventures and existing shareholder Altira Technology Fund IV LP of Denver, Colorado, also participated in the financing.

"Back Room Maneuvering" Pays Off for Opponents of Cape Wind
by Andy Kollmorgen, Podcast Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
After unanimous approval by 17 state and federal agencies over a five year period, the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound seems to have fallen prey to what project developer Jim Gordon has called "back room maneuvering by a bunch of NIMBYs (Not In My BackYard)."

Landfill Methane Recovery Plant Shows Community Stewardship
Energy Systems Group (ESG) and Johnson City entered into an agreement to harvest methane gas from the Iris Glen landfill and provide this fuel to local commercial customers. The $5 million landfill methane recovery plant, for which the ground has been broken, is expected to provide a continual revenue stream for the city, alleviate pressure on community taxes and make available a local and alternative energy supply for several Johnson City companies.

Sunrise Powerlink to Connect Solar Energy to California Power Grid
The Sunrise Powerlink, a 120-mile new transmission line proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to connect the nation's largest solar energy facility to the California power grid, is supported by the Associated Business & Labor for Energy (ABLE), a California coalition composed of more than a dozen business and labor groups.

New Yorkers Seek 'Local Solutions to the Energy Dilemma'
The Five Boroughs Institute, Local Energy Solutions LLC, and Peak Oil NYC will host a conference to discuss impacts of fuel depletion and what to do about it. More than 40 leading experts in energy, agriculture, economics, engineering, geology, politics, and sustainability will gather April 27-29, 2006 in two locations in the heart of midtown Manhattan.

New Jersey State Agency to Unveil Ambitious Solar Project
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
In yet another sign of New Jersey's strong tilt toward the use and promotion of renewable energy, a prominent state agency intends to reveal plans next week for what could become the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) project on the Eastern seaboard and possibly the entire U.S.

EU Member States Stalling on Renewable Energy Progress
European progress towards supporting renewable energy still ranks highest in the world but this effort is not spread evenly throughout EU member countries, a situation leading this week to legal action from the European Commission.

East Idaho Wind Project Gains Approval
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved a 20-year, $72.7 million purchase power agreement between PacifiCorp (Utah Power) and developers of the Schwendiman Wind LLC wind project 11 miles northeast of Idaho Falls. The agreement includes certain stipulations that some consider a penalty for wind power developers.

Partnership Formed to Develop Wind Power Projects
AltaGas Income Trust and GreenWing Energy Management Ltd. have formed a partnership to develop wind power projects in North America. Initially, the GreenWing Energy Development limited partnership will own 10 proposed wind projects, representing the potential to develop a total capacity of approximately 800 megawatts (MW) of power.

New Zealand Reevaluates Energy Efficiency Strategy
An updated course of action for New Zealand's four-year-old National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NEECS) is expected to be finalized by March 2007, announced Trevor Mallard, Energy Minister of NZ, and Jeanette Fitzsimons, who is Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and the NZ Green Party leader.

Farm Bureau Supports Bipartisan Renewable Fuels Bill
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) applauded the House for passing HF 2754, which establishes a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for Iowa. The bill now moves to the Senate.

Grants Fund Cow Power Generators at Four Vermont Farms
Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) Cow Power, a direct farm-to-consumer renewable energy program that works with dairy farmers to process their cow manure and farm waste to generate electricity, announced that four Vermont farms received grant offers totaling $666,000 from the CVPS Renewable Development Fund. The funds will help defray the cost of building new farm-based electric-generating systems to support the state's largest renewable energy program.

Former FERC Chairman to Lead Airtricity's North American Expansion
International renewable energy project developer Airtricity, Inc., announced the appointment of immediate past Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Pat Wood, 43, as Chairman of the Company's North American Advisory Board. Mr. Wood, currently in private energy infrastructure development, will provide strategic policy and market development guidance to Airtricity's North American operations.

Armenia Receives Grants for Renewable Energy Project
Grants and credits totaling US$50 million will assist the Armenian government to increase privately owned and operated power generation using renewable energy and to reduce greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions by overcoming barriers to the development of renewable energy.

Ethanol Production Peaked in January 2006
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) announced that the U.S. ethanol industry set a new monthly production record of 288,000 barrels per day (b/d) in January, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Peat Fuel Enjoys Resurgence as Biofuel
Peat Resources Limited was formed to explore, develop and produce high-quality peat fuel on a profitable and sustainable basis for customers requiring an economically and environmentally attractive energy supply. Recent government announcements in Canada and related activity have enhanced the market potential and economic value of peat fuel.

Behind the Chilly Air: Impacts of China's New Wind Pricing Regulation
by Yingling Liu
It came as a great shock to nearly everyone in the wind industry. In January, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued a regulation reversing its earlier intention to price wind power through a "feed-in tariff," a pricing policy that analysts and industry insiders had hoped would provide a big boost to Chinese wind energy development. Instead, according to the January 4 regulation, wind power prices will be determined through a competitive bidding process.

Ontario's Commercial-scale Wind Project Well Under Way
Ontario is increasing its use of clean, renewable energy with the startup on March 4, 2006, of the 67.5 MW Melancthon I Wind Farm. The $126 million project is one of the first in a number of new wind farms in Ontario that will supply clean renewable energy to the electricity grid.

An Inside Look at Federal Solar Tax Credits
Since the start of this year, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) has provided a financial boost to photovoltaic (PV) system purchasers by implementing a new 30% residential tax credit, and increasing the existing 10% commercial tax credit to 30%. The economic value of these new and expanded federal credits to system purchasers, however, is not at all straightforward, and depends on a variety of factors, according to a new report released by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in conjunction with the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA).

Xcel Energy Seeks 'Non-Wind' Renewable Energy for Southwest
A request for proposals (RFP) for 40,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) of annual renewable energy or renewable energy certificates (RECs) to be generated from renewable technologies other than wind turbines has been issued by Xcel Energy for its customers in the South Plains and Panhandle of Texas, eastern and southeastern New Mexico, the Oklahoma Panhandle and southwest Kansas. The RECs must be available by Sept. 30, 2010.

Oxford Solar Files 500 kW Rebate in New Jersey
In the first step of a long-term plan to help save the environment and cut down the use of high-cost utilities by converting to renewable energy, Oxford Solar has filed the rebate application with New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on behalf of Vernon Township Board of Education.

GE Commits to India's Rural Electrification Program
GE launched its Rural Electrification program to help bring electricity to thousands of people in rural India, reconfirming a commitment made earlier this year. In partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which will contribute $600,000, GE and its network of experts, technology centers and partners will invest up to $2.7 million in direct and indirect funding.

California Solar Incentive Payments Reduced
In January of this year, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to approve a new, well-funded, long-term solar rebate plan for California. Since then, the applications for funding have been flooding in. Interest has been so strong that special rebate cut-off triggers kicked in this week, thereby dropping the payments down.

Xcel Energy Solicits Bids for Colorado's Solar Facility
Xcel Energy is soliciting bids for a photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant to produce about 13,700-megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity a year in Colorado's San Luis Valley. When complete, it could supply power for as many as 1,800 homes. The company anticipates construction will begin in 2006 and be completed by the end of 2007.

Honeywell's Solar Canopy Offers Savings
Honeywell and Cathedral City announced the completion of a solar canopy using more than 1,600 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that generates power while providing 170 covered parking spaces on the top floor of the Civic Center parking garage in Cathedral City, California.

U.S. and Mexico Collaborate on Capture and Reuse of Methane
In an agreement to develop clean energy projects in Mexico as well as improve energy security, economic benefits, and public health, the U.S. and Mexican governments will collaborate on the capture and beneficial use of methane gas. U.S. Agency International Development (USAID) Acting Administrator Frederick Schieck announced that the agency will be providing more than $800,000 for such initiatives in Mexico.

ErSol Solar Energy Expands to Produce Thin-film Solar Modules
The ErSol Group signed a letter of intent with the Swiss enterprise UNAXIS S.A. on production equipment for silicon thin-film modules. The ErSol Group plans to develop production capacities of 40 megawatt (MW) per year, up to 2008. To this end, more than Euro 80 million [US$98 million] will be invested in the thin-film module production plant to be erected in Thuringia, Germany, creating about 100 new permanent jobs, with a medium-term annual capacity target of 100 megawatt peak (MWp).

International Initiative Works toward Hydrogen Economy
The International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE), which has made progress since it was launched in 2003 with member countries defining technical challenges and funding collaborative projects, is designed to accelerate development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to power vehicles, residences and businesses without producing greenhouse gases.

Soy-based Biodiesel Praised in Ohio
On tour of a biodiesel processing plant that was said to have produced the most biodiesel in the U.S. in 2005, Ohio Governor Bob Taft and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Fred Dailey praised the partnership between Cincinnati-based Peter Cremer North America, DaimlerChrysler, and Ohio farmers for enabling new Jeep Liberty vehicles with diesel engines produced in Toledo to be fueled by soy-based biodiesel when they are driven off the lot.

EMCs Sign Unique Renewable Energy Agreement
Green Power EMC, a partnership of 28 electric membership corporations (EMCs) in Georgia, will purchase 20 megawatts (MW) of electricity from what may well be the first poultry litter-to-energy operation in Georgia. The electricity will be provided by Earth Resources Inc., which will construct a chicken litter-to-electricity plant about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta.