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The article provides information on the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) biosolid management program. The OCSD is a public agency responsible for collecting, treating and recycling wastewater and biosolids in Orange County, California. As part of its long-range biosolids management plan and request for proposal process, the district has partnered with EnerTech Environmental Inc. to manage one third of its biosolids production using SlurryCarb process at a facility in Rialto, California. The SlurryCarb process offers an innovative approach in treating and recycling biosolids into a fuel product at a significantly lower cost than conventional drying and burning.

The article reports on the plan of San Diego, California-based Kyocera Corp. to invest about $250 million to increase its manufacturing capacity to 500-megawatts by March 2011. The company cited that it has secured supply contracts with silicon producers. Senior managing executive officer Tatsumi Maeda noted that Kyocera has focused on improving solar-cell quality and energy conversion efficiency. Kyocera believes that it keeps the world record for energy conversion efficiency.

The article reports on the collaboration of Chevron Corp. and the University of California, Davis, for a strategic research on future biofuels. The research is seeking to pursue advanced technology which aimed to convert cellulosic biomass into transportation fuels. The joint research will coordinate with the California Biomass Collaborative to concentrate on renewable feedstocks and agricultural waste that are available in the state.

The article reports on the plan of the Pacific Ethanol Inc. to produce over 35 million gallons of ethanol annually. The company is constructing a large-scale facility in Madera County, California with the primary purpose of establishing itself as a leader in production, marketing, and sale of ethanol and other renewable fuels in the Western U.S. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued an executive order which called for Californians to produce a minimum of 20 percent of its own biofuels by 2010 and 40 percent by 2020.