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New Michigan policies make energy efficiency a priority
Crains Detroit Business | Posted onJune 1, 2016 in Energy NewsOne long-standing program that provides a means by which an entity can get capital for energy efficiency projects is known as the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. PACE allows local governments to issue bonds to property owners that finance energy retrofits at their facilities, which they and back over a period years. However, entities with significant building portfolios and energy intensive operations like local governments lacked a similar avenue to achieve the same savings – until now, that is.
Ohio Ratepayers Get Short Shrift in State’s Refusal to Embrace Renewables and Efficiency Programs
Institute for Energy Economics | Posted onJune 1, 2016 in NewsReinstating Ohio’s renewable energy and energy efficiency standards would result in billions of dollars of savings for Ohio ratepayers through 2030. Among the study’s major findings:Ohio lawmakers would save Ohio electricity ratepayers over $3 billion by 2030 by ending the state’s freeze on renewable and efficiency standards this year. Time is of the essence. Ohio can take maximum advantage of the federal wind production tax credit—set to decline through 2019—by lifting the freeze now.
The EPA's Proposed 2017 RFS Standards: Is a Push Still a Push?
Farm Doc Daily | Posted onJune 1, 2016 in Energy NewsThe EPA released the preliminary 2017 RFS Standard on May 18. The preliminary rulemaking also established biomass-based diesel (BBD) volume requirements for 2018. Here, we first re-examine the magnitude of the likely conventional biofuels push contained in the final rule making for 2014-2016 and then the likely magnitude of the push in the preliminary rulemaking for 2017. Those calculations will indicate if the EPA is continuing the policy of providing a measurable push for conventional biofuel consumption beyond the E10 blend wall.
Organic Pastures Raw Dairy Recalled Again for Salmonella
Food Poisoning | Posted onJune 1, 2016 in Food NewsThe California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is recalling raw milk and cream produced by Organic Pastures Dairy of Fresno County again. This time the recall is for possible Salmonella contamination. Testing confirmed the presence of the pathogenic bacteria in raw whole milk and raw skim milk. No illnesses have been reported at this time.
These 7 Foods Cause the Most Pet Deaths
Live Science | Posted onJune 1, 2016 in Food News"Several foods that are perfectly suitable for human consumption can be toxic to dogs and cats," the researchers wrote in their review, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
N.D. UAS test believed to be world’s first
Agweek | Posted onMay 31, 2016 in Agriculture NewsWhat’s believed to be the world’s first test of its type using large unmanned aerial systems for agricultural data gathering in a public-private partnership took place at the Hillsboro (N.D.) Municipal Airport. John Nowatzki, the North Dakota State University agricultural machine systems specialist for the Extension Service, says a May 20 test was the first test of UAS vehicles for agricultural data gathering he’s heard of in the U.S. It is the first in the world, he says. “We’re flying over large areas,” Nowatzki says, noting the footprint of the study corridor is 40 miles by 4 miles.
Solar Power Net Metering Most Beneficial According to Study
Govtech | Posted onMay 31, 2016 in Energy NewsThe Brookings Institution study determined net metering provided $36 million in benefits to all NV Energy customers, regardless of whether they were receiving net-metering credits. The paper largely concludes the benefits associated with net metering outweigh the costs and don’t pose significant cost increases for non-solar ratepayers. Net metering allows solar power users to send excess electricity back to the electric grid in return for rate credits.
Whatever Happened to Advanced Biofuels?
Scientific American | Posted onMay 31, 2016 in Energy NewsCellulosic ethanol continues to struggle to use inedible crop waste to match ethanol from corn—and fossil fuels. The Project Liberty plant is a multi–$100-million effort to get past the obstacles of food-versus-fuel debates, farmer recalcitrance and, ultimately, fossil fuels. It is also the fruition of a 16-year journey for founder and executive chairman Jeff Broin of ethanol-producing company POET.
Long-Dreaded Superbug Found in Human and Animal in U.S.
National Georgraphic | Posted onMay 31, 2016 in Agriculture NewsThe antibiotic resistance factor MCR, which protects bacteria against the final remaining drugs of last resort, has been found in the United States for the first time—in a person, and separately, in a stored sample taken from a slaughtered pig. A 49-year-old woman who sought medical care at a military-associated clinic in Pennsylvania last month, with what seemed to be a urinary tract infection, was carrying a strain of E. coli that’s resistant to a wide range of drugs.
SD cattle herd all killed by one lightening strike
Keloland | Posted onMay 31, 2016 in Agriculture NewsThe Moody County Sheriff's Office said a single bolt of lightning killed 21 cows next to a metal bale feeder.