Carmakers Press EU on Biofuels

Carmakers, including Volkswagen and Fiat, have begun lobbying the European Commission to do more to promote biofuels by asking member states to introduce graduated tax breaks giving bigger discounts for low-carbon fuels. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13621165/

Agriculture Organizations Join New Alliance for Biobased Economy

The National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association and American Farm Bureau Federation in an effort to further policy and usage of biobased products announced recently they are joining the new Alliance for a Biobased Economy (ABE). Biobased products range from corn-based fabrics to soy-based hydraulic fluids and carpet backing and they represent a significant market for U.S. agricultural commodities. http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/news.html?d=100745

China gets a spurt of new energy

To help ease its oil shortage while reducing its increasing reliance on oil imports, China is putting effort and money into research and development for new sources of energy, in addition to speeding up its ambitious coal-to-liquid fuel projects, intended to convert the country's abundant coal resources into liquid fuel. There are now signs that the Chinese government is increasing its support for biomass energy, and development of fuel ethanol as a kind of biomass energy is entering a rapid-growth stage. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/HF28Cb01.html

U.K. seeks to unlock the power of plants

Viewed by U.S. President Bush as one of the key solutions to the United States` reliance on oil, the power of plants is capturing the imagination of the world`s industrialized nations as the scramble for sustainable sources of energy intensifies. In Britain, the sight of fields of giant grass swaying in the breeze could soon become commonplace, as the government turns to crops as an energy source that could help tackle the effects of climate change. http://www.upi.com/Energy/view.php?StoryID=20060602-105130-7885r

Weyerhaeuser says to switch to more biomass fuel

Timber products company Weyerhaeuser Co.said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2020 by running the boilers at its facilities on more biomass fuels and less fossil fuels. Click for more information