WBIA BLOG
Posted on March 10, 2010 by Megan @ 12:23 pm

Domestic Biofuels Bill Protects Small Engine Manufacturers and Users

Categories: Bio Industry Basics, Government Relations, Government and Legislation, Investment, Wisconsin Ethanol

Assembly Bill 408, the Domestic Biofuels Bill, is a step toward making Wisconsin a leader in the renewable fuels industry.  The bill will protect and create jobs and help Wisconsin become a clean, more environmentally friendly state.

Some small engine manufacturers, however, have expressed concerns about the bill.  As a strong supporter of small engine manufacturers and users, the WBIA has worked to highlight how the proposed bill will actually protect jobs and benefit the small engine industry.

Here are a few ways in which the bill will protect small engine manufacturers:

1.  The bill guarantees the availability of ethanol-free gasoline.

2.  The bill ensures small engine users will be able to buy gasoline with ethanol blends recommended by the manufacturer.

3.  The bill protects small engine owners, should ethanol become to expensive or scarce.

For more details, including text from the bill, download our fact sheet below.

Small Engine fact sheet [PDF]

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Posted on May 9, 2008 by admin @ 10:36 am

Investment in renewable energy keeps on rising

Categories: Bio Fuels, Investment

$100 billion dollars was invested in renewable energy sources last year, according to a UN report.  The symbolic milestone underscored the point that renewable energy is increasingly being sought not just for its positive environmental impact, but for its efficiency and business potential as well.  Eric Usher, head of the UN’s Energy Finance Unit, called he report proof that renewable energy “is now a mainstream commercial interest to investors and bankers alike.”

Here in the United States, renewable fuels, like ethanol, which is almost a dollar cheaper per gallon than gasoline, are proving their commercial value by helping to keep the price of gasoline from soaring even higher.  It’s a shame that lawmakers are trying to undermine them just as they begin to show their value.

The UN report can be found at: http://www.unep.org/pdf/SEFI_report-GlobalTrendsInSustainableEnergyInverstment07.pdf

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Posted on August 1, 2007 by Eric @ 4:00 pm

Governor Doyle to Announce Federal Biofuels Grant at Wisconsin State Fair

Categories: Bio Fuels, Investment

On Thursday, August 2, Governor Doyle will officially open the 2007 Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee. At 11:00 a.m., the Governor will be announcing a federal grant to promote the Bio Industry in the state on the corner of Third St. and Sue Wetley Ct.

The Governor will also highlight his proposal to provide $30 million in state funding to grow the Bio Industry, and we encourage everyone to attend and show their support for Governor Doyle and Wisconsin’s growing bio fuel industry.

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Posted on May 1, 2007 by Eric @ 12:51 pm

DOE Grants Available for Cellulosic Ethanol Projects

Categories: Ethanol Production, Investment

The US Department of Energy today announced the availability of up to $200 million in grants over the next five years (2007-2011) to support the development of small-scale cellulosic biorefineries.

Up to $15 million is expected to be available for 2007, with the remaining $185 million available for the following four years.  The DOE is expected to select 5-10 awards from this series of grants.

Applications are due by August 14 of this year.

For more information on the Funding Opportunity Announcement, "Demonstration of Integrated Biorefinery Operations for Producing Biofuels and Chemical/Materials Products" – DE-PS36-07GO97003, visit: https://e-center.doe.gov/ OR www.grants.gov.

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Posted on April 9, 2007 by Josh @ 8:31 am

Grant Writing Help Available for Rural Renewable Energy Projects

Categories: Investment

If you are interested in applying for federal funds for rural renewable energy or energy efficiency projects, grant writing and other help is available. Last month the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency loan and grant program announced the availability of $11.4 million in grants and $176.5 million in loan guarantees.

With the first deadline just weeks away, three agencies stand by ready to help with the application process: the Wisconsin Rural Development Office in Stevens Point; Focus on Energy; and the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Focus on Energy can provide general assistance for grant applicants; trouble shoot issues; provide background and lessons learned from previous grants; provide a support letter confirming the environmental benefits of the project as well as other assistance. The Focus on Energy contact is Larry Krom at 888-476-9534. For energy efficiency applications contact Richard Hasselman at 608-273-0182.

Depending on the type of project, DATCP can provide assistance ranging from financial help with business feasibility studies to business plans. A publication on where to go for business assistance in Wisconsin is also available. The DATCP contact is Carl Rainey at 608- 224-5139.

Rural Development can help applicants go through the process; explain the forms; explain what information is needed to increase the applicant's possibility to receive funding. Rural Development will also assist with determining eligibility of applicants as well as the eligibility of the technology they would like to install. The Rural Development contact is Kelley Oehler 715-345-7610.

Applications for grants must be completed and submitted to the USDA Rural Development State Office at 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point WI 54481, postmarked no later than May 18. The deadline for submitting loan applications as well as for loan and grant combinations is July 2. More information is available in the March 22 Federal Register or by contacting the Rural Development State Office at 715-345-7610.

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Posted on March 20, 2007 by Josh @ 5:17 pm

Upcoming Events

Categories: Government and Legislation, Investment

In the next few weeks the Joint Finance Committee will be hosting public hearings around the state to discuss the Governor's Executive Budget. The Joint Committee on Finance is a statutory, standing committee of the Wisconsin Legislature. The Committee's primary responsibility is to serve as the principal legislative committee charged with the review of all state appropriations and revenues.

The hearing dates and locations are as follows:

March 20 – Milwaukee (10:30 to 4:30)
March 21  – DeForest (10 to 4)
March 27 – Chippewa Falls (12 to 5)
April 4 – Prairie du Chien (12 to 5)
April 11 – Rhinelander (12 to 5)
April 12 – Green Bay (10 to 4)

Here are some of the proposed initiatives you might be interested in:
• Provide $30 million over the biennium for the Energy Independence Grant and Loan Program to increase the use of renewable energy and fuel technology.
• Target $5 million from the Energy Independence Grant and Loan Program for grants to develop the nation's first cellulosic ethanol plant.
• Increase angel and early stage seed investment tax credit awards by $5 million annually to support high-technology and biotechnology startup companies.
• Increase the distribution and availability of E85 and biodiesel fuel through an annual allocation of $1 million in tax credits for gas stations and private fleet operators who install E85 and biodiesel tanks and pumps.
• Provide $2 million over the biennium to contract with nonprofit organizations that assist businesses to reduce and recycle solid waste through direct business recycling projects, best practices exchanges, and research and development to address environmental or market issues with specific technologies.
• Create the Wisconsin Venture Center to connect entrepreneurs with investors accelerating the development and growth of biotechnology and health care technology businesses.

Here is a link to the full text of the budget: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/budget.asp

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