As U.S. Refiners Recover, This Company Aims to Jump to the Next Level

by Sheena Martin, Contributing Editor

Even as U.S gas prices climb, petroleum traders still have no interest in buying right now.

And why would they? The summer driving season is at an end. Consumers are still trying to save cash, especially with the holidays approaching. And inventories are still bearish.

Last week, the Department of Energy (DOE) said gasoline demand is at 8.844 million barrels per day – the lowest number since late January 2009. And with practically no demand, refiners are still running at only 80% capacity, on average.

So with refinery woes persisting, it might seem odd to devote attention to investments in the industry. However, that’s precisely why you should. A contrarian strategy often pays dividends – and the recent challenges have shaken out

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MINNEAPOLIS - November 18, 2009 - Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced it has been awarded an $11.4-million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the largest single energy grid modernization investment in U.S. history.

BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc., a pioneer in cellulosic ethanol production via its proprietary conversion process utilizing concentrated acid hydrolysis, disclosed today that their CEO, Arnold Klann, will attend the 4th Annual Cellulosic Biofuels Summit (CBS) next week on Nov. 17. The event will be held in Washington, D.C.

Standing alongside executives from across the cellulosic biofuel industry, such as Dr. Kristina M. Johnson, Under Secretary for the Department of Energy, and Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, Klann will help resolve financing issues facing the industry.

Klann expressed BFRE’s pleasure at participating in the CBS and emphasized the importance of funding challenges faced by the entire industry. Klann cited BFRE’s Concentrated Acid Hydrolysis Technology Process as being a commercially-ready, proven and patented vehicle whereby non-foodstock urban, agricultural and forestry waste (collectively biomass) could be converted to ethanol, while growing the industry. Klann went on to say

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BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc. received a reimbursement from the Department of Energy (DOE) for $3.8 million, signifying a continued commitment by the current administration and the DOE to bolster such alternative energy sources.

The liquidity provided by this reimbursement will allow BlueFire to capitalize the development of its second ethanol plant, to be located in Fulton, Mississippi. BlueFire is currently operating under a $40M grant from the DOE received in 2007.

BlueFire’s ethanol refining from non-food cellulosic biofuel is achieved via its fully operational, and proprietary, Concentrated Acid Hydrolysis Technology Process. This technology presents a robust solution to the disposal of waste plant matter and a powerful framework for agricultural production of high-yield cellulosic feedstock. The forms of ethanol produced are competitive with gasoline and commercially ready for use in an existing market infrastructure.

CEO of BlueFire, Arnold Klann was quoted as saying, “The DOE’s continued financial support coupled with the

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OUTLOOK The Alternative Energy industry is going through a recovery after absorbing the global recession and the cascading fall in global crude oil prices. Earlier this year, quite a few alternative energy companies were in the trough. Though these companies have recovered from their lows, their valuations are still significantly lower than their 52-week highs. The growth of alternative energy companies is closely tied to the fortunes of the economy. In its latest release, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted that total U.S. electricity consumption will decline by 3.3% in 2009 before growing by 1.3% in 2010 as the improving economy coaxes a gradual recovery in electricity sales. In fiscal 2008, annual U.S. photovoltaic (PV) installed capacity grew by 63% year-over-year, bringing the cumulative installed capacity to 792MW. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) -- the U.S. trade association representing close to 500 companies ...

  Raser Technologies Inc. (RZ) is gradually transiting from a developmental stage company towards a geothermal power producer. As of now, only its first geothermal plant Thermo No. 1 Plant (Hatch Plant in Utah) with an annualized capacity of 10MW is generating revenues by selling electricity to the city of Anaheim since April 2009. The company plans to add 40MW annually to its capacity over the three year period 2010 – 2012 to bring its total geothermal power generation annualized capacity to 130MW. Raser Technologies, however, is facing financial constraints. Earlier this month, Raser’s loan guarantee application was denied by the Department of Energy (DOE). If approved, DOE would have provided 80% of the approximately $190 million project cost for Raser’s 42MW – East Thermo geothermal project. The company’s hopes now rest on governmental funding in its quest to become a commercially viable geothermal power producer. Also, ...

67 WALL STREET, New York – September 22, 2009 – The Wall Street Transcript has just published its Alternative Energy/Clean Energy/Power Generation/Utilities Report report offering a timely review of the sector to serious investors and industry executives. This 83 page feature contains expert industry commentary through in-depth interviews with public company CEOs, Equity Analysts and Money Managers. The full issue is available by calling (212) 952-7433 or via The Wall Street Transcript Online.

Topics covered: Long Term Perspective on Alternative Energy Industry — Leading Indicators for Alternative Energy Components Companies — Mergers and Acquisitions in the Alternative Energy Industry — Break Even Business Fundamentals for Carbon Free Energy Providers — Development of Carbon Free Energy Production Infrastructure — NAT GAS Act — New Players in the Alternative Energy Industry — Solar Power Cell Manufacturers Market Strategy — Demand Response for Raw Materials for Solar Cell Production — Alternative

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Smart Grid Investing: How Our Nation’s Future Energy Security Can Boost Your Portfolio Now

by Dave Fessler, Advisory Panelist

The “Smart Grid.”

You may have heard the media toss the term around recently. But ask the next 10 people you meet to tell you something… anything… about it, and I’ll wager that you’ll get deafening silence.

The reason? All of us take electricity – and the system that generates and distributes it – for granted. And despite having spent my entire professional life as an electrical engineer, I’m guilty as charged, too.

So what is the Smart Grid? How will it work? And why is it important to our nation’s future energy security? Read on for details, including two companies working to boost the nation’s power capacity that you can add to your portfolio today…

Why Our Current Systems Are Maxed Out…

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Washington, DC - September 18, 2009 - Today, Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy has closed on its loan offer of $5.9 billion to Ford Motor Company to transform factories across Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio to produce more fuel efficient models.

Hawaii: Pristine black sand beaches… surfing… spectacular volcanic eruptions… and miles of pineapple plantations. If you are like me, this is what comes to mind when you imagine Hawaii.

What may not come to mind, though, when you think of America’s 50th state are its energy resources – and specifically, the fact that it gets 77% of its power from oil-fired power plants. That’s a unique statistic within the United States. Coal-fired plants provide 14% of power, and the remaining 9% comes from renewable sources like wind and solar energy.

Suffice it to say, tourism is Hawaii’s largest industry, with agriculture playing a major role, too. And not unlike the rest of the country, the one thing needed to keep it all running smoothly is a reliable source of electricity.

Problem is, Hawaii is dependent on fossil fuels for more than 90% of its power – an issue that became shockingly clear when

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