First Energy IPO of 2012 & Regulation
Welcome to the inaugural weekly post highlighting “Watts” happening in the energy sector. In the first IPO of 2012 (what a week of firsts!), Renewable Energy Group Inc (REGI), a biodiesel manufacturer and marketer focused on converting natural fats, oils and greases into advanced biofuels, raised 58% ($72 million) of their targeted $124 million during their January 19th pricing. With so much biofuel activity in 2011, the lackluster pricing could be perceived as a setback for the sector. However, the EPA’s 2012 Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS) holds some promise for 2012. RFS is aiming to reach a 9% biofuel target for the U.S. in 2012, and more specifically, a 1.21% advanced biofuels target.
President Obama Addresses (and Omits) Energy in SOTU
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The EPA’s proposal is surprising given President Obama’s conspicuous omission of biofuels during this week’s State of the Union address. During his address to the nation, President Obama outlined his plan for the future of energy in the U.S. and how it will boost the economy with the addition of jobs:
“This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – a strategy that’s cleaner, cheaper, and full of new jobs.”
With plans to open more than 75% of U.S. potential offshore oil and gas resources, natural gas was the focus of President Obama’s energy plan, noting that America’s natural gas supply could last “nearly one hundred years” and provide more than 600,000 jobs by 2020. However, clean energy still took a back seat to oil and gas. The President’s references to clean energy included: mandating companies that drill for gas on public lands to disclose extraction chemicals, as well as a shout out to the “high-tech batteries” sector. Did anyone else notice the elephant in the room…Solyndra? Mind you, the President did commit to ensuring that the wind, solar and battery markets don’t export to China, and to passing clean energy tax credits.
