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March 11, 2016
Biomass Stakeholders Ask the Feds, Where’s the Money?
The President’s FY2017 budget request contains a lot of good news for biomass advocates. At DOE, the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), would see a 24 percent increase in its overall budget, primarily to advance the development of ‘drop-in’ biofuels from sources such as algae, microbes and cellulose, as well as needed vehicle technology advancements to utilize these fuels. Other DOE programs touch on biobased chemicals and even co-firing biomass with coal. Despite the good news, there’s a familiar budgetary black hole that remains – bio-heat and biopower.
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DOE Pilot Program to Fund Small Business-National Lab Collaborations
On March 10, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy announced $6.7 million in first round funding to 33 clean-tech focused small businesses. Through the Small Business Vouchers (SBV) pilot, small businesses will have access to the talent and expertise of the National Labs, to help break through technological challenges and accelerate the pace of commercialization for clean technologies. Funded projects in Round 1 range the gamut of clean technologies, from wind and solar to bioenergy, geothermal, vehicles, and other areas.
Headlines
1. Rivkin Sentenced to 10 years in Prison for Biodiesel RIN Fraud
2. What Are the CAFE Standards, and Why Do They Matter?
3. RFA Analysis Finds Improvement of Corn Ethanol Net Energy Balance
4. Blog: Who Killed the Only EPA Certified E85 Conversion Kit?
5. Scientists Seek Key to Converting Algae to Biofuel
Upcoming EESI Briefings:
1. Advancing Mobility Sustainably: Ridesourcing and Public Transport Together Lyfting Public Transportation to Uber Heights
Tuesday, March 15 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
SVC-200 Capitol Visitor Center (Senate side) East Capitol Street and 1st Street, NE
Please RSVP to expedite check-in
A live webcast will be streamed at 3:30 pm EDT at www.eesi.org/livecast (wireless connection permitting). The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invite you to a briefing exploring how shared mobility technology is transforming transportation services. The emergence and growth of ridesourcing services like Uber and Lyft is clear evidence of the impact of technology on transportation choices to enhance urban mobility. A study being released at the briefing looks at who uses ride-sourcing services, when, and for what purposes. Research was conducted in seven U.S. cities (Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.). The findings and recommendations will be presented and discussed.
2. Geothermal Energy: Heating Up
Wednesday, March 16 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
212-10 Capitol Visitor Center (Senate-Side) East Capitol Street and 1st Street, NE
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) invite you to a briefing highlighting the state of the geothermal energy industry and its near-term prospects in the United States and in more than 80 other countries working to expand its use. With demand for clean energy accelerating around the globe, geothermal energy has major potential as a renewable resource that can provide power around-the-clock, complementing intermittent renewable power technologies. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched the Global Geothermal Alliance at COP-21 in Paris this past December to achieve a 500 percent increase in global installed capacity for geothermal power generation and a 200 percent increase in geothermal heating by 2030.
3. Sustainable Affordable Housing: Saving Energy, Saving Lives
Monday, March 21 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
122 Cannon House Office Building Independence Avenue SE and 1st Street, SE
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing about energy efficient, “green” affordable housing and how it is improving health and safety in distressed communities while providing economic and environmental benefits to states. This is the second in a series of EESI briefings examining environmental justice as it relates to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Clean Power Plan (CPP), the nation's first-ever regulation limiting carbon pollution from power plants. This briefing will show how sustainable affordable housing can save money for low-income families and strengthen community resilience while serving as a CPP compliance strategy.
Other Events:
1. 2016 ACORE Renewable Energy Policy Forum
March 16-17 in Washington, DC
EESI is a supporting organization
Use Discount code SPT20EESI when you register to recieve a 20% discount
This year’s Renewable Energy Policy Forum takes place as seismic developments in national and global policies are reshaping the renewable energy marketplace. In December, Congress enacted a major new tax package offering long-sought stability to the wind and solar power industries. Just two weeks earlier, 129 nations at the COP21 U.N. climate meetings in Paris reached agreement on an unprecedented global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Taken together, these developments are a source of immense promise for the future of renewable energy in the United States and around the world.
2. Economic Diversification in Coal-Reliant Regions - Free Webinar
March 22 2 - 3 pm ET
Join the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation for this free webinar. The decline of the coal industry is having major ramifications in communities and regions across the country that have been historically reliant upon this energy source for jobs, a tax base, and sense of identity. In light of these changes, many coal-reliant communities are seeking opportunities to diversify and strengthen their economies through a variety of place-based efforts that tap into local and regional assets. Two regions that participated in the 2015 ‘Coal-Reliant Communities Innovation Challenge’ will present on how they are proactively moving forward with diversification strategies and goals.
To Contact the Editor: Jessie Stolark at [email protected]
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The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional caucus dedicated to finding innovative environmental and energy solutions. EESI’s work, including this free newsletter, is made possible by financial support from people like you. Please help us continue to make it available by making a secure, online donation today or mailing a check to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute at 1112 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036. You can also learn more about why you should give to EESI for clean energy. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Williams by email at swilliams [at] eesi.org or by phone at 202-662-1887. Thank you for your support!
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