On Friday August 28, Eric Lindeman of The Energy Daily will be moderating a webinar about "Advanced Biofuels: What Are the Commercial Possibilities?  Why All the Interest in Algae?"  My partner, the always-entertaining John Eustermann, will be speaking at the Webinar along with Connie Lausten (VP, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, New Generation Biofuels (NGBF))…

On Monday, August 24, the IRS issued Notice 2009-64.  The notice sets forth a proposed revenue ruling that concludes that ethanol facilities are depreciable over 7 years (rather than 5 years).  A link to the notice appears below.

The proposed ruling classifies ethanol facilities as assets used in Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery Plants…

Today, the Washington Technology Center announced the launch of its Microfabrication Laboratory Access Program.  The new program provides access to sophisticated micro-electromechanical systems ("MEMS") fabrication equipment to small companies in Washington State.  The goal of the program is to stimulate innovative technologies.

The new Microfabrication Laboratory is one of three state funded programs in Washington.  The facility is 15,000 square feet and small businesses with less than 100 employees can apply for up to three months of free lab access (valued at up to $12,300).  Eligible projects include, but are not limited to proof of concept, prototyping, testing, process development, and small-scale production.  A more complete description of the program is available here.Continue Reading Washington Technology Center Provides No-Cost Access to MEMS Fabrication Equipment

On August 21, NV Energy issued a press release reminding renewable energy developers of that it has issued a Request of Information (RFI) for renewable energy that can be provided on a short-term basis.  This solicitation is separate from NV Energy’s recently announced 2009 Renewable Energy Request for Proposals.  NV Energy will consider proposals for…

On August 13, 2009, the American Wind Energy Association, Wind on the Wires and certain wind developers filed protests at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator’s (MISO) recent filing at FERC.  The MISO filing proposes to revise MISO’s cost allocation methodology for network upgrades for generator interconnection, and resulted from MISO’s Regional Expansion Criteria & Benefits (RECB) Task…

We are pleased to announce that the first edition of THE LAW OF ALGAE is available now. The LAW OF ALGAE is a guide to the business and legal issues in developing a commercial scale algae biofuels facility. We are introducing THE LAW OF ALGAE in an on-line “wiki” format where the contents can be accessed at…

On August 14, 2009, the Department of Energy ("DOE") State Energy Program ("SEP") announced that more than $119 million in funding from the Recovery Act to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects has been awarded to Alabama, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, North Dakota and Wyoming.

Here is a summary of how the monies will be used by each of the states and territories:

  • Alabama has been awarded $22,228,000 in federal stimulus funds.  Alabama will utilize the Recovery Act  SEP funding to promote energy efficiency of businesses (with a particular focus on the automotive supplier industry), schools, and correctional facilities and the development of renewable energy resources in the state.  The state will also use funds to create a new "energy revolving loan fund" to stimulate the creation and retention of jobs and increase the generation of renewable energy by providing low-interest loans for new and existing industries in the state.  The loans will be used for the installation of renewable energy systems and the implementation of energy efficiency measures.  After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, Alabama will receive nearly $28 million in additional funding, for a total of more than $55 million.  Click here for more information regarding Alabama’s state energy program and use of Recovery Act funds.
  • American Samoa was awarded $7,420,000 in federal stimulus funds.  American Samoa will utilize the Recovery Act SEP funding to expand the use of renewable energy across the territory, as well as to supplement weatherization funds to improve home energy efficiency for low-income residents.  Specifically, the territory will install a 1,000 kW photovoltaic solar-energy array near the Tafuna Power Station, 19 smaller 28 kW solar arrays on the roofs of government and other buildings, and a solar water heating system at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.  American Samoa is also interested in expanding its use of wind power, and will use Recovery Act funds to set up eight anemometers to measure and quantify the territory’s wind potential.  After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the territory will receive more than $9 million in additional funding, for a total of $18 million.

Continue Reading Show Me the Money: State Energy Programs for Seven States and Territories Awarded $119 Million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“Recovery Act”)

We announce the publication of the second edition to our “Show Me The Money – the Law of Stimulus Bill”. The second edition of the guide reviews the various programs and potential sources of federal funding for clean energy companies and projects. Like the first edition published in May, the second edition addresses funding opportunities…

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Wind and Hydropower Technologies program recently unveiled a new database containing information on the test capabilities and services of a variety of U.S. hydrodynamic test facilities.

The first-of-its-kind database encompasses 81 commercial, academic, and government facilities and offshore berths in 18 states, and will directly facilitate the testing of…