November 20, 2009

Business has slowed. And so too has the demand for carbon emission allowances -- those credits that are traded among European nations and some American utilities as a way to motivate a transition to a carbon-free global economy.

If commerce were humming along, manufacturing and utility plants would be increasing production and thereby raising their emission levels. Because they are cutting back their operations, however, they are in essence keeping a lid on that pollution. In a world that is moving steadily toward pricing each ton of carbon released into the atmosphere, that dynamic has dampened the trading of carbon allowances.

Dear Readers,

The severity of the economic crisis has waned. A new and more energetic era has begun, renewing our hope for a better year ahead. As Thanksgiving approaches, it's also time to say 'thank you' to those who have influenced EnergyBiz Insider, and me.

The rocky year has never eroded the faith that Energy Central has in its core products and staff. Indeed, top management's determination to succeed during this difficult time is critical, as is its confidence in its staff. Its confidence is the cornerstone of this publication and the reason it continues to thrive. Even though they are extremely modest, Steve Drazga and Mark Johnson must be singled out.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2009

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing new requirements for audio/video (AV) products to earn the Energy Star label. AV products meeting EPA's new, more stringent specification will help protect the environment and reduce energy costs because they will be up to 60 percent more efficient than conventional models.

If all AV products sold in the United States met the new Energy Star requirements, Americans would save more than $1 billion in energy costs annually while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 1 million vehicles every year.

November 18, 2009

Green technologies will soon get greater export assistance. The U.S. Export-Import Bank is touting its newfound policy, although it is the direct result of a lawsuit filed more than six years ago by environmentalists and cities.

At this point, the agency has provided few details as to how it would achieve its aims. It is now setting up a $250 million lending facility to back green exports as well as to improve the bank's transparency in the tracking and reporting of carbon emissions from projects that it supports. The move, which is part of the settlement reached in February, is not enough, say environmental and civic activists, who add that it does nothing to limit the institution's activities in the area of fossil fuels.

November 15, 2009

A $19 million biomass fuel production plant will rise near Marquette, as the board of directors of Cleveland-based Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF) approved the construction for its RenewaFuel LLC subsidiary.

The plant will be built at the Telkite Technology Park, which is located at Sawyer Airport near Marquette.

RenewaFuel intends to move forward with a lease agreement for the use of two large aircraft hangars, which formerly housed B-52 aircraft when the facility was part of K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base. RenewaFuel's lease of the hangars is subject to the final approval of the Marquette County Board of Commissioners and the Federal Aviation Administration. Once begun, construction and renovation is expected to take about nine months.