A company is Sioux Falls, South Dakota has developed a process for making ethanol which eliminates the costly, time-consuming cooking phase.  In Pennsylvania, a study released this week shows that renewable energy sources can save money and fuel (pardon the pun) their economy.  On a lighter note, Carlos Santana has gone solar, having equipped his office building with solar cells.

The Prairie Star reports that ag producers in South Dakota have hit upon a real crappy fuel source: producing methane from animal manure.   In other news, China is finally being pressured to do something about its greenhouse gas emissions.

Afternoon Update

Genencor, a company in Palo Alto, CA, has developed a method for converting cellulose into ethanol.  Currently ethanol is produced by fermenting crops like corn.  Genencor can make it from throw away materials such as leaves, husks, and fallen trees at far less cost. 

Also earlier today, Shell opened the first hydrogen dispenser at a retail gasoline station in Washington DC.

Morning Update

It's looking as though wind generated electricity could be a boon to the hard hit Ohio economy.  Electricity generated by wind now costs just 4.2 cents per kW hour.  That compares favorably to coal (4 cents) and natural gas (6.8 cents). 

New Mexico is looking to build a a commercial solar power plant and has already identified three potential sites.  This is another example of state and local governments taking the lead in producing energy from renewable sources.  Pennsylvania, Texas, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are also pursuing renewable energy initiatives.

Meanwhile, automakers are beginning to offer SUVs with better gas mileage. 

One of President Bush's objectives in his second term will be to get his energy policies through the Senate, including drilling in ANWR.  Unfortunately, raising fuel efficiency standards is not one of these objectives.  All is not lost, however, as the DOE will support the efforts of New Mexico, Arizona Nevada, California, Utah, Texas and Colorado to install a total of 1000 MW of concentrating solar power (CSP) systems over the next several years..

On the global warming front, the journal Nature today includes a report that antarctic warming is killing off krill, an important food supply for whales, seals, and penguins.