July 22, 2004
Announcement from David Y. McGee, P.E., CEM
Technology Assessment Division
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Vox: 225/ 342-8573
davidmc@dnr.state.la.us
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If you want to know the "state" of renewables from a technical persective, then you need to read this. "Accuracy" of some statements may vary as no one has that good of a crystal ball, but is is backed by much research and some common sense. Special thanks to Kathy Ferland at Texas IOF/University of Texas for the link
EXCELLENT RESOURCE ON BIO-BASED PRODUCTS AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL AVAILABLE. The Journal of Industrial Ecology has recently published a special issue on Bio-based Products and the Environment available free on the net. The special issue examines the environmental implications; positive and negative, of increased use of biobased materials and fuels using the concepts and tools of industrial ecology. Articles in the issue analyze the opportunities, processes, and environmental impacts of biofuels, bioplastics, biolubricants, and biosurfactants. The entire special issue is available on the web at http://mitpress.mit.edu/JIE/bio-based at no charge.
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May 10, 2004
Announcement from Kevin Boone, Business and Cooperative Specialist, Rural Energy Coordinator, USDA Rural Development
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USDA last week announced its $22.8 million grants for renewable energy initiatives in rural America. I am sending this email and asking for help in spreading the word to the public about Section 9006, Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements GRANT program. This program was created as part of the 2002 Farm Bill. Last fiscal year was the first year of implementation administered in the form of a Notice of Funds Availability. This fiscal year will be implemented in the same fashion but will have a few changes in the application requirements.
I think the news release and fact sheet summarize it well. But in a few words this is a grant program where USDA Rural Development can grant funds to agricultural producers (farmers/ranchers) and small businesses located in rural areas. The grant cannot exceed 25 % of the total project costs. Applications for renewable energy systems must be for a minimum grant request of $2,500, but no more than $500,000. Applications for energy efficiency improvements must be for a minimum grant request of $2,500, but no more than $250,000.
If you have anyone interested, please have the potential applicant contact this office as soon as possible. The deadline for "complete" application is July 19, 2004.
Please see the following websites and attachments for additional information.
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/farmbill/9006resources.html
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/2004/energy050504.pdf
http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0182.04.html
http://www.elpc.org/farmenergy/9006FAQ.htm#Q7
Thanks,
Kevin Boone
Business and Cooperative Specialist
Rural Energy Coordinator
USDA Rural Development
3727 Government St.
Alexandria, LA 71302
(318) 473-7960
kevin.boone@la.usda.gov
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March 8, 2004
Press Release from Foster Campbell, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner:
Offshore Wind Energy Proponents Plan SW Louisiana Pilot Project
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BATON ROUGE - Backers of a plan to generate electricity using wind turbines
mounted on offshore Louisiana oil rigs are developing a pilot project with
three rigs off the Southwest Louisiana coast.
New Iberia engineer Herman Schellstede of Wind Energy Systems Technology
L.L.C. said the company hopes to have one of three turbines in place by the
end of the year.
The 10-megawatt project off Vermilion Parish is called "Grand Vent," which
is French for "big wind," Schellstede said.
Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, sponsor of a PSC feasibility
study of offshore wind energy, said the WEST LLC pilot project holds great
potential for Louisiana energy consumers.
"Grand Vent will show whether the combination of consistent offshore wind,
modern wind-turbine technology and unused oil platforms can produce clean
and inexpensive power for Louisiana," Campbell said.
Schellstede announced the Grand Vent pilot project at a recent PSC-sponsored
technical conference on offshore wind energy. With him were Lafayette
conservationist Harold Schoeffler, who brought the concept to Campbell, as
well as Lafayette attorney William M. Hudson and Boston, Massachusetts,
energy consultant Jonathan Winer.
Schellstede said LSU and Stanford University studies of wind strength
suggest Louisiana has the highest potential of any offshore area in the
nation.
"The data suggest a yearly average of 7.3 to 9.8 meters per second, and you
can have economic success (with turbines) at speeds as low as 5,"
Schellstede said.
The WEST developers said federal regulations require oil companies to remove
inactive offshore platforms within one year after they cease production, at
costs as high as $40 million. Using a dormant platform for wind energy can
prevent this costly decommissioning and give the rig new life, they said.
"We have a renewable resource that is there every day and not being
captured," Hudson said. "We have infrastructure (platforms) that is paid
for that is being dismantled. (Louisiana) may well be the first state in
the nation with offshore wind energy."
Schoeffler said Louisiana utilities relying on natural gas and coal to
generate electricity will find that wind is non-polluting and not subject to
wide price swings.
"This technology can save jobs," Schoeffler said. "We have an entire
infrastructure in place to service the offshore industry."
PSC officials are working on the wind-energy study with the Louisiana
Department of Natural Resources. Mike French, director of the DNR
Technology Assessment Division, said the U.S. Department of Energy is also
studying offshore wind energy's potential in the Gulf of Mexico. He added
that Texas has begun to lease state-owned offshore tracts for wind energy
development.
Campbell said, "I am greatly encouraged by what we have learned so far.
Louisiana is a leader in offshore energy production, and generating energy
from wind may continue and extend that tradition well into the future."
Public comment on the PSC study of offshore wind energy should be directed
to: Matthew Loftus, LPSC, P.O. Box 91154, Baton Rouge LA 70821-9154; or
email matthew.loftus@la.gov. The deadline for comments is March 26.
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