California Energy Commission report states that thermo-conversion technologies offer the most promising technology to convert biomass materials into alcohol. read on >
An agreement that ended July's budget stalemate will thrust the state's energy policy into the spotlight when members of the Legislature return to the Capitol this week.
In a setback for sound energy policy, the House of Representatives recently voted to impose $16 billion in new taxes on oil companies. To make matters worse, it also approved billions in tax breaks and incentives for a host of renewable energy sources, such as biofuels, geothermal and wind power, along with related conservation efforts.
Corn farmers are pushing for more ethanol production as the industry creates an enormous new market for their crop, giving corn prices the kind of lift they haven’t seen in years. But the corn farmer’s win is the hog farmer’s loss. Meat, dairy, and other food producers are pushing back against the ethanol boom as higher grain prices cut into their already slim profit margins.
