Undoubtedly, the Global financial crisis is impacting formerly high growth energy sectors.  The wind energy sector has witnessed dramatic growth over the past 10 years.   Our researchers explored some of the ways the wind industry has been impacted by the financial crisis.

Law makers in Washington are increasingly concerned with how the new stimulus package will impact the national deficit. In these discussions, Cap and Trade systems have been discussed as a way to put a price on carbon.

The Arguments Surrounding Implementing Cap and Trade Systems

Our Research on Ethanol

Ethanol is a clean burning, high-octave motor fuel that is produced from renewable sources. Normally ethanol is used as a blend with gasoline eg: E 10 - 10% ethanol & 90 % gasoline which are commonly used in the US. However there are higher blends eg: E85- 85% ethanol & 15% gasoline which is used in flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) which has also been introduced in the US by automakers.

This could make a big difference to Ethanol business. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is leading efforts to using higher ethanol blends - 20%, 30%, 40%, etc in standard automobiles which could mean dramatically higher amount of renewable fuel.

The European Commission is planning to act on a new anti-counterfeiting trade agreement (ACTA) bypassing both the WIPO and the WTO. The European Union (EU)’s goal is to protect IPR rights of European companies beyond what is currently offered by WIPO and WTO. EU, the US, Japan, Mexico, and New Zealand are currently in this new trade agreement block.

Carbon Footprint: Retailers and brand manufacturers, faced with EU regulations, are putting in efforts to measure the amount of carbon-dioxide in their products. Netherlands has passed a carbon tax on packaging, which will be effective beginning in January 2008.

The EU has set up a new database under the European ecolabel certification program to certify companies supplying raw materials per the EU standards of green manufacturing. Initially, the scheme covers shampoos, soaps, and packaging, but will eventually be spread to all sectors of the industry.