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Volkswagen Extends Warranty Coverage for Biodiesel

Volkswagen AG announced a landmark decision to extend warranty protection for the use of biodiesel blend fuel in all of its US market diesel powered automobiles. The warranty protection, which covers biodiesel blends of up to 5% (B5), marks a significant milestone in the development of a national market for biofuels. Biodiesel, already a popular alternative fuel, is seen by Volkswagen as a key element of a long range fuel strategy that relies on efficient, clean diesel technology for the use of an increasingly broad portfolio of renewable fuels. Volkswagen’s commitment to B5 comes after a year of extensive testing and development, allowing Volkswagen to commit to accept B5 in the US as it has in Europe for many years. Volkswagen and Archer Daniels Midland Company are testing B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel and normal diesel fuel, with a plan to address policies toward that in the future. Volkswagen AG is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker.

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On the Way to 10 Million Certified Forest Acres in Maine

Baskahegan Company, of Brookton, Maine, recently achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forest management certification for its entire 101,000-acre ownership. Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), an FSC-accredited certifier, audited the Washington and Penobscot County forestland during the summer and fall of 2004. “Our SCS evaluation team confirmed that Baskahegan is a conscientious land steward as well as a civic-minded organization, and we are very pleased to be able to issue an FSC-endorsed certification of exemplary forest management,” said Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, SCS Senior Vice-President.Company President Roger Milliken, Jr. said the Company had chosen to undergo the certification process to gain recognition for its multi-generational approach to forest management. “We wanted to be judged against the highest ecological standards,and to be challenged to become even better stewards of our family’s lands. FSC certification is an ideal vehicle for this. I am grateful to our highly-motivated forestry staff for laying the groundwork for this significant achievement.”The certification of Baskahegan’s lands expands further the certified forestland base in Maine. “The Baskahegan holdings push certified forestland inventory in Maine to more than 7 million acres,” said Governor John Baldacci. “We are seeing more demand each year for products made from certified wood fiber and solid […]

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Saving Energy and the Bottom Line

Manufacturers whose bottom lines are threatened by today’s rising energy costs will benefit from the solutions offered by Energy Management Pathfinding, a new report from the Alliance to Save Energy. Learn from ten major corporation case studies including Frito Lay, Shaws, 3M, Kimberly Clark, DuPont and Unilever. The case studies, assembled by the Alliance with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, illustrate their unique energy-management strategies which have improved business performance by reducing costs, building revenue capacity, and containing operating risk.“While many companies are simply trying to cut their energy bills, other firms are using energy-waste reduction as a strategy to boost productivity and avoid the need to build more plants,” said Alliance Director of Industrial Programs Christopher Russell. “These companies generally approach energy management as a process instead of as a collection of scattered projects. Technology continues to play a key role in reducing energy costs, but savings are enhanced ­ and sustained ­ by making energy-smart decisions, from the plant floor up through management and finance people.”The 10 energy management case studies suggest that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving energy savings of 10-20 percent or more. Instead, companies tailor an energy management strategy to reflect […]

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Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:March 16, 2005

News and Events DOE and EPA Recognize Energy Star Leaders at Award Ceremonies Global Wind Power Capacity Grew 20 Percent in 2004 California Utility to Buy Power from Six New Renewable Energy Projects Appliance Efficiency Standards Signed Into Law in New Jersey Lexus Announces Hybrid SUV Pricing and EPA Mileage Builders’ Group Presents 11 National Awards for Green BuildingDOE and EPA Recognize Energy Star Leaders at Award CeremoniesDOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored 50 businesses and organizations with Energy Star Awards last night. The award winners include Lowes Companies Inc., Food Lion, Pardee Homes, USAA Real Estate, and 3M. See the EPA press release.Last week, DOE and the EPA presented Energy Star CHP Awards and Certificates of Recognition to six organizations for their exemplary combined heat and power (CHP) projects. Weyerhaeuser’s containerboard mill in Albany, Oregon, earned the Energy Star CHP Award for its 93-megawatt CHP system fueled with biomass and natural gas. The system operates at 70 percent efficiency, requiring 17 percent less fuel than a typical mill, which generates its thermal energy needs onsite but draws its electricity from the power grid. In addition, the California Institute of Technology won an award for a 12.5-megawatt […]

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