11 Aralık 2012 Salı
Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Planned in Kansas
To contact us Click HERE
Abengoa Bioenergy is following through on its commitment to commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol production, having secured a conditional approval for a $133.9 million loan guarantee from the DOE to build a plant in Kansas. The Abengoa Bioenergy project, which will be located in Hugoton, about 90 miles southwest of Dodge City, is expected to convert approximately 300,000 tons of corn stover into 23 million gallons of ethanol per year, using what the company calls an "innovative enzymatic hydrolysis process." The project maximizes the use of agricultural crop residues that would otherwise not be utilized and uses feedstock that does not compete with feed grains. Annually, the project is expected to displace more than 15.5 million gallons of gasoline, avoiding more than 139,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The facility will be closed-loop, using unconverted biomass to generate 20 megawatts of electricity to power the cellulosic ethanol plant. Abengoa has entered into an ethanol offtake agreement to sell ethanol produced by the facility and expects more than 90% of the project‘s sourced components to be produced in the United States. Company officials say the project will create approximately 300 construction jobs and 65 permanent jobs. The Abengoa announcement follows June plans from DuPont Danisco to build a cellulosic ethanol plant near Nevada, Iowa, and POET's announcement last year to build a 25-million-gallon-per-year facility near Emmitsburg, Iowa.
Hybrid School Bus Joins Fleet in Bardstown
To contact us Click HERE
“We want to do our part and help with air quality, and we saw based on some preliminary fuel mileage savings reports how the hybrid bus could be a benefit to us,” says Transportation Director Todd Hood.
The new bus, manufactured by International Bus, was delivered to Superintendent Brent Holsclaw and other school representatives on Friday. District bus drivers, mechanics, and first responders were all trained highlighting best operational practices for the hybrid-electric system.
The bus uses an Eaton Hybrid System, a regenerative system that puts power back into the hybrid battery when the driver applies the brake. Stop and start routes that generally do not exceed 50 mph provide the best performance for the hybrid system. Hybrid electric buses already in operation across the state are seeing 30% or greater fuel savings.
Mr. Hood reports that, as long as the hybrid bus meets district needs, it is likely Bardstown Independent Schools will purchase additional hybrid buses as part of future bus procurement plans. The new hybrid bus is one of twenty school buses in the district.
Thirty-two school districts across Kentucky currently operate 125 hybrid electric buses. Kentucky is home to the largest hybrid electric school bus fleet in the nation. Over 200 hybrid buses will be purchased with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy awarded in December 2009.
Performance data for these hybrid school buses is being gathered by the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, a non-profit organization that administers the grant with the Kentucky Department of Education.
Find data at http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/.
“We want to do our part and help with air quality, and we saw based on some preliminary fuel mileage savings reports how the hybrid bus could be a benefit to us,” says Transportation Director Todd Hood.
The new bus, manufactured by International Bus, was delivered to Superintendent Brent Holsclaw and other school representatives on Friday. District bus drivers, mechanics, and first responders were all trained highlighting best operational practices for the hybrid-electric system.
The bus uses an Eaton Hybrid System, a regenerative system that puts power back into the hybrid battery when the driver applies the brake. Stop and start routes that generally do not exceed 50 mph provide the best performance for the hybrid system. Hybrid electric buses already in operation across the state are seeing 30% or greater fuel savings.
Mr. Hood reports that, as long as the hybrid bus meets district needs, it is likely Bardstown Independent Schools will purchase additional hybrid buses as part of future bus procurement plans. The new hybrid bus is one of twenty school buses in the district.
Thirty-two school districts across Kentucky currently operate 125 hybrid electric buses. Kentucky is home to the largest hybrid electric school bus fleet in the nation. Over 200 hybrid buses will be purchased with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy awarded in December 2009.
Performance data for these hybrid school buses is being gathered by the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, a non-profit organization that administers the grant with the Kentucky Department of Education.
Find data at http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/.
KCFC's Melissa Howell Inducted into the Clean Cities Hall of Fame
To contact us Click HERE
The Clean Cities Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to the Clean Cities mission of reducing petroleum use in U.S. transportation. Inductees are ambassadors for alternative fuels and champions for fuel economy. Their exemplary dedication and leadership are paving the way for a new transportation future.
Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition Executive Director Melissa Howell was inducted in 2011, the Hall of Fame's inaugural year.
Melissa Howell is a cornerstone of Clean Cities. She has been with the program since its beginning in 1993, when she helped found Kentucky's Commonwealth Clean Cities Partnership. Ever the consummate professional, Howell's dedication to reducing petroleum use in transportation has weathered all manner of political and economic conditions. Howell is known for her persistence in inspiring fleets to action, and she brought several high-profile stakeholders to the alternative-fuel table, including Mammoth Cave National Park, Fort Knox military base, UPS, and the World Equestrian Games. And thanks to Howell's leadership, thousands of children across the state of Kentucky ride to school on hybrid electric and biodiesel buses.
Howell is the original Clean Cities mentor, having coached new coordinators to success long before a formal mentorship program was established. She is always willing to share her vast experience and knowledge with other coalitions to reinvigorate stalled projects and instill confidence in rising leaders. Howell's impressive body of work with Clean Cities makes her the example other coordinators seek to follow.
In 2008, Howell was named Clean Cities Coordinator of the Year, and in 2005, she received the Southeast Region Award.
See all of the Clean Cities Hall of Fame inductees - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/hall_of_fame.html
The Clean Cities Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to the Clean Cities mission of reducing petroleum use in U.S. transportation. Inductees are ambassadors for alternative fuels and champions for fuel economy. Their exemplary dedication and leadership are paving the way for a new transportation future.
Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition Executive Director Melissa Howell was inducted in 2011, the Hall of Fame's inaugural year.
Melissa Howell is a cornerstone of Clean Cities. She has been with the program since its beginning in 1993, when she helped found Kentucky's Commonwealth Clean Cities Partnership. Ever the consummate professional, Howell's dedication to reducing petroleum use in transportation has weathered all manner of political and economic conditions. Howell is known for her persistence in inspiring fleets to action, and she brought several high-profile stakeholders to the alternative-fuel table, including Mammoth Cave National Park, Fort Knox military base, UPS, and the World Equestrian Games. And thanks to Howell's leadership, thousands of children across the state of Kentucky ride to school on hybrid electric and biodiesel buses.
Howell is the original Clean Cities mentor, having coached new coordinators to success long before a formal mentorship program was established. She is always willing to share her vast experience and knowledge with other coalitions to reinvigorate stalled projects and instill confidence in rising leaders. Howell's impressive body of work with Clean Cities makes her the example other coordinators seek to follow.
In 2008, Howell was named Clean Cities Coordinator of the Year, and in 2005, she received the Southeast Region Award.
See all of the Clean Cities Hall of Fame inductees - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/hall_of_fame.html
Meet Kentucky's Greenest Fleets
To contact us Click HERE
The Pioneer Fleets of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program were announced December 7 at the KCFC Winter Meeting. Each are working to improve the environmental performance of their vehicle fleets by reducing petroleum fuel use:
Breathitt County Board of Education
Jefferson County Public Schools
Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection
Kentucky Division of Fleet Management
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Louisville Regional Airport Authority
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mercer Transportation Company
Murray State University
Transit Authority of River City
UPS
Waste Management of Kentucky
Learn more about each Pioneer Fleet Member's fleet greening efforts and the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program
View photos from the awards ceremony on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kycleanfuels
The Pioneer Fleets of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program were announced December 7 at the KCFC Winter Meeting. Each are working to improve the environmental performance of their vehicle fleets by reducing petroleum fuel use:
Breathitt County Board of Education
Jefferson County Public Schools
Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection
Kentucky Division of Fleet Management
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Louisville Regional Airport Authority
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mercer Transportation Company
Murray State University
Transit Authority of River City
UPS
Waste Management of Kentucky
Learn more about each Pioneer Fleet Member's fleet greening efforts and the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program
 |
| The Pioneer Green Fleets members proudly display their certificates. |
America's Natural Gas Highway Coming to Kentucky Thanks to Clean Energy
To contact us Click HERE
Clean Energy will be building a public LNG/CNG refueling site in Walton, Ky. (Flying J's) as part of America’s Natural Gas Highway. They expect to complete the project this summer. The station will feature the latest state-of-the-art technology for natural gas vehicle fueling. They will initially deploy LNG at the station to service big rig heavy-duty trucks. They may add CNG to the station at any time when needed by the market.
Read more about the Clean Energy program - http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/resources/naturalgashighway.pdf.
Clean Energy will be building a public LNG/CNG refueling site in Walton, Ky. (Flying J's) as part of America’s Natural Gas Highway. They expect to complete the project this summer. The station will feature the latest state-of-the-art technology for natural gas vehicle fueling. They will initially deploy LNG at the station to service big rig heavy-duty trucks. They may add CNG to the station at any time when needed by the market.Read more about the Clean Energy program - http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/resources/naturalgashighway.pdf.
8 Aralık 2012 Cumartesi
Should I Buy A Home Or Continue To Rent? A Fresh Look On This Topic
To contact us Click HERE
Whether renting is better than buying depends on many factors, particularly how fast prices and rents rise, how long you plan to stay in your home, and most importantly, evaluating the cost of renting vs. buying in “your” particular community.
According to Trulia, the cross-over point is about 15 times annual rent, the company believes. In other words, as a rough rule of thumb, homes are probably fairly valued in a city when they cost about 15 times a year's rent.
So, for example, if you're paying $10,000 a year to rent a place, think twice about buying a home that costs more than $150,000. Dean Baker, economist at the Washington, D.C. Think-tank The Center for Economic and Policy Research, came to a similar conclusion in research on the subject in recent years. “Fifteen times is the historic average”, he said.
CLICK HERE TO GET FULL SIZE VERSION
Follow Dan on Facebook - 3 Things They Forgot To Teach Us In High School - Money, Mortgage, and Investing
Whether renting is better than buying depends on many factors, particularly how fast prices and rents rise, how long you plan to stay in your home, and most importantly, evaluating the cost of renting vs. buying in “your” particular community.According to Trulia, the cross-over point is about 15 times annual rent, the company believes. In other words, as a rough rule of thumb, homes are probably fairly valued in a city when they cost about 15 times a year's rent.
So, for example, if you're paying $10,000 a year to rent a place, think twice about buying a home that costs more than $150,000. Dean Baker, economist at the Washington, D.C. Think-tank The Center for Economic and Policy Research, came to a similar conclusion in research on the subject in recent years. “Fifteen times is the historic average”, he said.
CLICK HERE TO GET FULL SIZE VERSION
CLICK HERE To Download A Full Size Copy of the Rent v Own Flyer
Looking at the numbers above, the total mortgage pmnt on a $200,000 FHA purchase is $1,337/mo (that includes principle, interest, PMI, taxes, and insurance. Compared to $1,100/mo rent, it’s more expensive, but don’t forget to look at the tax breaks from owning (interest and property tax write-offs). The bottom line, at $200,000, it makes sense to buy. A savings of over $119,000 over 12 years versus renting! Plus, rent will go up with inflation, your 30-yr fixed mortgage is fixed and more money over time goes straight to paying down your mortgage. Contact me for more information or to request a personalized mortgage planning analysis.
Dan Keller, Mortgage Advisor
Follow Dan on Facebook - 3 Things They Forgot To Teach Us In High School - Money, Mortgage, and Investing
The House Key State Bond Program Offers A Zero Down Alternative For First Time Home Buyers
To contact us Click HERE
Dan Keller, Everett FHA Mortgage Banker is now approved to fund House Key State Bond Mortgages. We've all heard of FHA financing, it's pretty much the hottest loan program banks are selling today. However, sometimes the 3.5% down payment that is required with FHA is a qualifying issue for our clients. Well, I think, as a matter of fact, I know I have the solution to that problem. It is the Washington State House Key State Bond Program
The State Bond Program requires home buyers (first time home buyers) to attend a House Key Sponsored Home Buyer Education Course with a Washington State Approved House Key Mortgage Lender. The course requirements can be found on my blog that I just created for potential buyers and their agents. Click here for a link to my blog/site for Realtors and buyers that could benefit from FHA down payment assistance
I think I am just as excited to start using this program to help agents market their listings too. Contact me at dan.mortgageadvisor@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information on marketing your listings with the House Key State Bond Program
If you are a seller, here's an example - (look at the menu bar) How to market your listing with House Key State Bond Loan Program
Dan Keller, Everett FHA Mortgage Banker is now approved to fund House Key State Bond Mortgages. We've all heard of FHA financing, it's pretty much the hottest loan program banks are selling today. However, sometimes the 3.5% down payment that is required with FHA is a qualifying issue for our clients. Well, I think, as a matter of fact, I know I have the solution to that problem. It is the Washington State House Key State Bond ProgramThe State Bond Program requires home buyers (first time home buyers) to attend a House Key Sponsored Home Buyer Education Course with a Washington State Approved House Key Mortgage Lender. The course requirements can be found on my blog that I just created for potential buyers and their agents. Click here for a link to my blog/site for Realtors and buyers that could benefit from FHA down payment assistance
I think I am just as excited to start using this program to help agents market their listings too. Contact me at dan.mortgageadvisor@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information on marketing your listings with the House Key State Bond Program
If you are a seller, here's an example - (look at the menu bar) How to market your listing with House Key State Bond Loan Program
Kaydol:
Kayıtlar (Atom)