Business News
- Details
- Written by: Editor
"The unreasonable restrictions placed on the biofuels industry in the 2007 Energy Bill were never debated by Congress, and I've spent the past two years trying to undo the damage that we're seeing now that EPA has published the proposed regulations that will make it impossible to meet the RFS," Peterson said. "In order to ensure that a clean, homegrown biofuels industry will succeed in the United States, we need to have Federal energy policies are flexible, practical, and innovative."
"Mr. Peterson's bill is a legislative response to poorly crafted EPA regulation. The most important provision in the bill is the expansion of the acreage eligible to produce biomass feedstock. This will ease pressure on the current corn production system and it will open the way for more rapid development of next generation ethanol," said Ranking Member Frank Lucas.
The Renewable Fuel Standard Improvement Act (H.R. 2409) reverses language added at the last minute without debate to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA, P.L. 110-140) that forces biofuels producers to meet an unfair standard for lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and restricts the availability of new feedstocks for biofuels.
The RFS was established to expand the use of clean, renewable biofuels that can be produced in the United States and to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and the restrictions included in EISA will make it impossible to meet the RFS mandates.
The bill eliminates the requirement that the Environmental Protection Agency consider indirect land use when calculating the greenhouse gas emissions associated with advanced biofuels. Currently, there is no reliable method to predict accurately how biofuel production will affect land use in the United States or internationally.
It also strikes the restrictive definition of renewable biomass included in EISA and replaces it with the definition included in the 2008 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill definition of renewable biomass was developed in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies and other Congressional Committees and was discussed and debated in a transparent manner, unlike the EISA provisions, which were never
openly discussed or debated in Congress.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
BLUE LAKES – Maryann and Peter Schmid, owners of The Lodge At Blue Lakes in Upper Lake will welcome Lake and Mendocino business owners and community leaders to their final “Thursday Evenings with The Schmids” get-together of the 2009 spring program on May 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The experimental series has evolved into a successful, bi-county event, generating discussion trade and barter among attendees and a greater appreciation of, and involvement with one another’s efforts both in the for-profit and non-profit arenas.
The Schmids felt from the beginning that the Lodge site, almost astride the county line on Highway 20, would provide an ideal meeting place for leaders in both counties to exchange business contacts and ideas for coping with our current economic challenges.
The relaxing and informal meetings by the fireside have allowed an easy discourse with a backdrop of the areas’ excellent wine appetizers and soft flute and guitar music.
The final meeting will concentrate on summarizing the concept of the “Blue Lakes Model” for small business and some tips on decision-marketing by series speaker Hal Bryan, and the reappearance of guest speaker Marcia deChadenedes, outreach partnership coordinator for the North Coast Geotourism Project. She will explain the application process for Lake and Mendocino County Business owners and residents to nominate their businesses, favorite places to visit, historical sites, etc., for the National Geographic Society branded map and Geotourism Map Guide website.
The Blue Wing Saloon will prepare and serve the appetizers. Lolonis Vineyards will pour wine and Martha and Ronald Benway of the Harbor House Espresso Bar will feature blended coffee drinks. George Husaruk, flutist, and Jason Argos guitarist, will provide music.
Ms. deChadenedes will also be on hand at The Lodge At Blue Lakes, the following day, Friday, May 22, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., to assist interested parties in completing their applications.
Attendees are encouraged to experience not only the evening, but the hospitality offered at the Lodge At Blue Lakes, by spending the entire evening with us and will receive our special “Friends and Family” room discount.
To RVSP for the “Thursday Evenings with the Schmids”, accommodation reservations and/or sign up for Marcia deChadenedes’ workshop, please email
- Details
- Written by: Editor
The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Happy Garden on Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks.
The guest speaker will be Gae Henry and Henry Bornstein with Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association. They will discuss the Old Time Bluegrass Festival coming up in September.
For more information call 707-994-3600.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
Nominations must be postmarked by May 15, 2009.
The California Invasive Species Advisory Committee provides recommendations and technical support to the Invasive Species Council of California on a broad array of issues related to preventing the introduction of invasive species and providing for their control and/or eradication, as well as minimizing the economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species cause.
Committee members may serve on the CISAC for no more than two consecutive terms. Terms are limited to three years. Members receive no compensation, but may receive reimbursement for travel expenses.
Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should send a brief summary explaining the nominee’s suitability to serve on the CISAC, a resume or curriculum vitae, and at least two letters of reference.
Nominations should be sent to David Pegos, Invasive Species Council of California, California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 ‘N’ St., Sacramento, CA 95814.
Detailed information on the nomination process can be viewed at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/iscc/docs/NominationProcessCISAC.pdf.
How to resolve AdBlock issue?