June, 2006

Quest for Energy Alternatives Steps Up

Current energy research explores a variety of technologies, including hybrid vehicles, solar power, and the widespread search for viable large-scale domestic production of a biobased fuel. http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/05/28/beyond.oil.ap/index.html

Sempra's SDG&E Unit to Purchase Biomass Power

Sempra Energy's San Diego Gas & Electric subsidiary said it will purchase 20 megawatts of biomass electricity generated by tree trimmings and other waste. Bull Moose Energy LLP, a San Diego-based energy producer, will gasify waste material at a power plant expected to be located in San Diego County. The plant will operate a clean burning system to divert several hundred tons of waste a day from landfills, the utility said. The price of the power was not disclosed. The purchases will begin in 2008 and supply electricity for 13,000 homes. SDG&E serves 3.4 million people in San Diego and Orange counties. Click for more information

Demand for Ethanol Puts Businesses Back on Track: Nation's Thirst for the Fuel Spurs Railroad Use

Iowa's booming ethanol industry will make a record 1.3 billion gallons of fuel this year, creating a surging demand for railroad service to haul the product to gasoline markets across the country. Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe have seen shipments soar, and they and other rail companies are scrambling to keep up with the demand. Meanwhile, ethanol plants have received $1.14 million in state aid to connect with railroads and get their product to a nation thirsty for the alternative fuel. http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060531/BUSINESS04/605310352/1029/business

New Storm-protection Products Are Hot

The onset of the 2006 hurricane season means business for Florida-area dealers of home-protection products. This year, soy-based insulation joins traditional plywood and other petroleum-based plastic options for battening the hatches. http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060601/NEWS/606010585

USDA Scientists Help Create Metalworking Lube from Soy Oil

A biodegradable metalworking fluid derived from soybean oil is earning high marks in trials by Alcoa Inc. Alcoa, based in Pittsburgh, Pa., is conducting the trials under a five-year research and development agreement involving a team led by USDA chemist Sevim Erhan at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria. http://farmweek.ilfb.org/viewdocument.asp?did=9155&drvid=114&r=0.4150812

Oil Giant Chevron Gives Biofuels a Try: New Business Unit Explores Ethanol, Biodiesel, as Environmentalists Warn of 'Greenwashing'

Chevron Corp., the nation's second-largest oil company, wants a piece of the biofuel business. San Ramon's Chevron reported Wednesday that it has created a business unit to devise new ways to make ethanol and biodiesel, which are derived from organic sources such as corn, soybeans and vegetable oil. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/01/BUG7RJ5F1T1.DTL