UND to Host Cleantech Conference

Two University of North Dakota-based groups—the Sustainable Energy Research Initiative and Supporting Education (SUNRISE) program and the Center for Innovation—are organizing the Cleantech 2011 Workshop and Action Summit to be held June 19-21 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks.

http://www2.und.nodak.edu/our/news/story.php?id=3353

North Dakota Bill Would Lower Oil Tax

The North Dakota legislature is considering a bill that would lower state oil taxes from 11.5 percent to 9.5 percent for newly drilled wells. The ND House Finance and Taxation Committee reviewed the bill today. According to the state Tax Department, the proposed legislation would mean a reduction of up to $371 million in taxes over two years.

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/2011_session/article_50cf7118-2d5b-11e0-a8f5-001cc4c03286.html

Fracking Study Released

According to a Congressional report released today, companies hired to perform hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") used 32.2 million gallons of diesel alone or in a mixture from 2005 to 2009. Most was injected in Texas, followed by Oklahoma, North Dakota, Louisiana and Wyoming. The year-long investigation, which was led by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and other two other Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, found no evidence that the use of diesel fuel contaminated water supplies. The report did, however, state that the companies appeared to violate the Safe Drinking Water Act because permission was not obtained from state or federal authorities to use the diesel fuel.

Iowa Wind Industry Slows Down

The wind energy industry in Iowa is experiencing many of the same difficulties that has slowed expansion across the country, according to a recent report.  Reduced electricity demand, cheaper natural gas, tighter lending policies and the lack of a clear federal  policy all combined to create a significant slowdown in the pace of new U.S. turbine installations in 2010.

In Iowa, roughly 10 gigawatts of wind-generated power were added in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, the amount is expected to less than half that amount when the totals are compiled.

http://thegazette.com/2011/01/30/business380-iowa-wind-energy-industry-expected-to-see-slow-recovery/

EERC Announces 2011 Biomass Conference

The Energy & Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota announced today that the "Biomass ’11: Renewable Power, Fuels, and Chemicals Conference" will be held at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota, July 26–27, 2011. Read more...

Pipeline Fight in Fairmont

Minnesota's Buffalo Lake Energy wants to build a 20-mile pipeline to carry treated water from its ethanol plant near Fairmont to the Blue Earth River for disposal. Environmental groups are opposing the plan, even though company officials at the southwest Minnesota site claim their proposal meets all state standards.

http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x376909854/Pipeline-plan-spurs-water-warfare

Gov't Announces Modeling and Forecasting Agreement

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Commerce announced on January 24 a new agreement to further collaboration between the agencies on renewable energy modeling and weather forecasting. This teaming will enable U.S. renewable energy resources to be used more effectively by business and entrepreneurs. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by DOE and the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will encourage the agencies to disseminate weather and climate information needed for renewable energy technologies that are dependent on short-term weather and longer-term climate trends. Better information on weather patterns and improved modeling of the variability of the wind, sun, water, ocean currents, and other sources of renewable energy will ultimately increase the United States' ability to reliably integrate renewable energy into the electrical grid. Read more...

Minnesota RES Update

A January report by the Minnesota Department of  Commerce shows that Minnesota’s utilities appear to making satisfactory progress toward meeting the state’s Renewable Energy Standard mandate that requires 25 percent of the state's total electrical output to come from renewable sources by the year 2025. Read more...

Granite Falls Considers Increased CAPX Investment

In Minnesota, the Granite Falls City Council is mulling an increase in its investment in the CAPX2020 project from approximately $415,000 to $1.3 million. The city's interest is in the 250-mile Brookings County-to-Hampton segment that runs from Brookings, SD to Hampton, MN and includes a link from Marshall, MN  to Granite Falls. Construction is expected to begin in 2012 and be completed by 2015 at an estimated cost of $827 million. The cost of the entire CAPX project is estimated at $1.95 billion.

Xcel Reports Earnings

Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy Inc. today reported 2010 GAAP earnings of $756 million, or $1.62 per share compared with 2009 GAAP earnings of $681 million, or $1.48 per share. In its comments on the report, the company highlighted key events of 2010 including the acquisition of two natural gas power plants in Colorado, the commercial launch of the Comanche Unit 3 and Nobles wind farms and the beginning of construction on the CapX2020 transmission project.