In economics and marketing, a service is the non-material equivalent of a good. Service provision has been defined as an economic activity that does not result in ownership, and this is what differentiates it from providing physical goods. It is claimed to be a process that creates benefits by facilitating either a change in customers, a change in their physical possessions, or a change in their intangible assets.
By supplying some level of skill, ingenuity, and experience, providers of a service participate in an economy without the restrictions of carrying stock (inventory) or the need to concern themselves with bulky raw materials. On the other hand, their investment in expertise does require marketing and upgrading in the face of competition which has equally few physical restrictions.
Scientists Gear Up To Decode Cassava Genome Thu, 31 Aug 2006 06:33:00 -0000 http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2006/060830.htm?pf=1
Efforts to sequence the genome of cassava, a staple food for millions of people worldwide, could yield the genetic keys to unlocking new traits for improved yield, more protein and even novel industrial applications—like putting fuel in the gas tank. The Last Straw? Making Gas From Crop Residue Thu, 31 Aug 2006 06:27:00 -0000 http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2006/060831.htm?pf=1
The Pacific Northwest grass seed industry that provides seed for lush lawns for homes, parks and golf courses also produces millions of tons of straw every year. Agricultural Research Service researchers in Corvallis, OR and Wyndmoor, PA are developing technology for converting that straw into synthetic gas that can be used to produce electricity or liquid fuel. A Renewable-Energy Update from Agriculture Thu, 24 Aug 2006 10:27:00 -0000 http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/aug06/energy0806.htm
Texas and Minnesota are striving to become leaders in renewable energy use—relying on everything from wind power to hydrogen fuel. Energy and Agriculture Thu, 10 Aug 2006 12:21:00 -0000 http://www.usda.gov/documents/Farmbill07energy.pdf
As one of the 2007 Farm Bill theme papers, this document describes the current role of U.S. agriculture in energy production and efforts to conserve energy use in agriculture, discusses and evaluates energy programs administered by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and concludes with a discussion of general policy approaches associated with energy and agriculture. The Executive Summary is located at http://www.usda.gov/documents/Farmbill07energysum.pdf New Bioenergy Research Centers Mon, 07 Aug 2006 08:01:00 -0000 http://www.acore.org/programs/eventscalendar.php
American Council on Renewable Energy Calendar.
Energy
Global Slowdown and Rising Food Prices Implications for South Asia B-SPAN Washington, D.C. On April 24th, 2008, the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), on behalf of the World Bank, presented a panel discussion on the recent rise in food prices and its impact on South Asia. Juan Blazquez Ancin, Knowledge Management Officer with the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), opened the session with an introduction of the moderator, Syed Ejaz Ghani, the Economic Advisor for the World Banks Asia Poverty Reduction Economic Management Network (PREM). The event featured four additional speakers, each of whom shared their ideas and suggestions on current trends and the potential consequences. Notable attendees participating via videoconference were groups from offices in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The EastEast Corridor The Growing Middle EastAsia Energy Relationship and Capital Flows B-SPAN On June 10th, 2008, the World Bank Institute Oil, Gas, and Mining Policy Division (COCPO), sponsored a panel discussion entitled The EastEast Corridor The Growing Middle East Asia Energy Relationship and Capital Flows. Chaired by Paulo de Sa, Sector Manager in the Oil, Gas and Mining Policy Division of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the event was the second in a series of World Bank sponsored workshops highlighting trade flows and foreign investment within important regions. 3. Closing Session and TakeAway Messages B-SPAN The session Closing and Takeaway messages was moderated by Pamela Cox, Vice President of the Latin America and Caribbean Region of the World Bank and featured the following panelists Robert Weiner, Tom Fearnley, and Marciel Grodzicki. 2. Lunchtime Session with Guy Caruso B-SPAN Arvind Gupta, Lead Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank, introduced the main speaker, Guy Caruso, noting the many different perspectives Caruso brings to the topic of oil price volatility. Caruso, an Administrator in the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the United States Energy Department, stated that the EIA periodically publishes reports on the subject on the state of the world oil market and provides analysis for hypothetical policy scenarios. 1. Opening Session B-SPAN The high and volatile oil prices pose a serious threat to financial sector stability and growth in todays global economy. Developing countries are most at risk, and the poorest people stand to suffer more as food prices increase with rising energy costs. The potential for instability has led policymakers to seek to understand how oilprice dynamics will continue to develop in the near future. To explore these issues, the World Bank Institute and the George Washington University jointly held the global finance forum entitled Oil Price Volatility, Economic Impacts, and Financial Management RiskManagement Experience, Best Practice, and Outlook in Washington D.C. on March 10 and 11 of 2008. Financing Energy Efficiency Lessons from Brazil, China, India and Beyond B-SPAN Todays world faces an ever growing environmental challenge. The rapidly escalating increase in both energy prices and greenhouse gas emissions is a global issue. Furthermore, demand for energy from China, India and Brazil is surging. On February 27, 2008, the book Financing Energy Efficiency Lessons from Brazil, China, India, and Beyond , was launched at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C. The books author and a panel of experts explained how without significant gains from energy efficiency efforts, China, India and Brazil will more than double their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions within a single human generation.
U.S. Department of Energy - Press Releases
Researcher Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Is Co-Winner of 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:00:00 -0000 WASHINGTON, DC – Under Secretary for Science Orbach congratulates Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie and Roger Y. Tsien for co-winning the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for transforming a green fluorescent protein from jellyfish into one of the most important tools of molecular biology that researchers now use to watch such previously invisible processes as the development of nerve cells in the brain or how cancer cells are formed. Statement from DOE’s Chief Spokesperson Andrew Beck Regarding Delivery of Strategic Petroleum Reserve Oil Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:00:00 -0000 WASHINGTON, DC - DOE is delivering 100,000 barrels of emergency exchange oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Alon USA’s Krotz Springs, Louisiana refinery. DOE Announces Additional Steps in Developing Sustainable Biofuels Industry Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:00 -0000 WASHINGTON - Secretary Bodman and Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer release the National Biofuels Action Plan (NBAP). Fact Sheet: National Biofuels Action Plan Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:00 -0000 In an effort to meet President Bush’s “Twenty in Ten” goal and meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) targets in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) the Biomass Research and Development Board (the Board)—co-chaired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the DOE—developed the National Biofuels Action Plan (NBAP) to accelerate the development of a sustainable biofuels industry. Fact Sheet: Effects of Intermediate Ethanol Blends Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:00 -0000 In August 2007, DOE initiated a test program to assess the potential impacts of higher intermediate ethanol blends on conventional vehicles and other engines that rely on gasoline. USDA & DOE Release National Biofuels Action Plan Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:00 -0000 WASHINGTON - Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ed Schafer and Secretary Bodman releases the National Biofuels Action Plan (NBAP), an interagency plan detailing the collaborative efforts of Federal agencies to accelerate the development of a sustainable biofuels industry.
Georgia Power Gains Approval to Expand Green Pricing Options Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0600 Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of Southern Company serving 2.3 million customers in Georgia, has gained approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to expand its green pricing program to include additional options for customers. The re-design is intended to provide a more cost-effective option for both residential and commercial customers.
Under the re–vamped program, residential customers can now purchase green power in 100-kWh increments at 3.5¢/kWh above the standard rate, which is 1¢/kWh less than the previous offering. The modified Green Energy product will be all biomass, primarily from the Seminole Landfill in DeKalb County, and will contain no solar or wind energy at this time. In addition, customers now have the option to purchase a "premium" renewable energy product that includes at least 2% solar power. The price for the premium product is 4.5¢/kWh above the standard rate.
The redesigned program also includes a large volume discount available to customers that buy more than 40,000 kWh of green energy per month at the regular price of 3.5¢/kWh over the standard rate. Georgia Power will contract individually with each customer to determine the price, quantity, term and source of the additional green energy. The program now also includes a special events option for supplying renewable energy to music concerts, business conferences, or other one-time events. The new program is expected to go into effect by the end of 2008.
News Release - PSC Approves Revamped Georgia Power Green Energy Program; Assignment of 3-1-1 Service to Cobb County for Non-emergency Government Services ...
EERE Network News
Economic Stabilization Bill Includes Clean Energy Tax Incentives Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 The $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of
2008, signed into law last week, extended and enhanced
critical tax credits and financing relating to renewable energy
and energy efficiency. Continuing Resolution Includes $25 Billion in Automakers Loans Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 A bill signed by President Bush to keep the government
running provides funds for DOE to provide $25 billion in loans
to support the production of advanced technology vehicles.
The bill also boosts weatherization funding by $250 million
and provides $175 million for hazardous fuels reduction. DOE Awards $83.3 Million to Develop a Sustainable Biofuels Industry Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have released a
plan to develop a sustainable fuels industry, which DOE is
already backing up with an $83.3 million investment in
fermentation and pyrolysis technologies. A DOE study also
shows no significant performance impacts from ethanol fuel
blends. Michigan Requires 10% Renewable Electricity by 2015 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Michigan has joined the growing ranks of states with a
renewable portfolio standard (RPS). The Michigan RPS
requires 10% renewable power by 2015, and the bill also
includes energy efficiency requirements and other measures
to encourage renewable energy development in Michigan. GM and Porsche Win the American Le Mans Green Challenge Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 General Motors Corporation (GM) and Porsche AG are the
inaugural winners of the Green Challenge at the Petit Le
Mans, which was held on October 4 in Georgia. For GM, the
Corvette Racing team gained an advantage by fueling
primarily with ethanol generated from waste wood. New DOE Campaign Encourages Consumers to "Stay Warm, Save Money" Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 DOE launched the "Stay Warm, Save Money" campaign to
help consumers be more energy efficient and
save on their energy costs this winter. The new Web site
includes no-cost and low-cost energy-saving tips, financial
assistance information, an energy-themed blog, and more.
ATS Environmental - Underground oil and gas tank inspections, sampling, leak detection, and geoprobe services in the northeastern United States.
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Caldwell Systems - Offers UST monitoring systems, including in-tank probes, external sensors, and remote monitoring software to ensure rapid leak detection, compliance management, and inventory control. Includes FAQ on leak detection technologies.
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DASCEM Holdings - Provides a wide range of services relating to underground storage tanks including compliance with regulations and industry codes of practice, integrity testing, management plans, monitoring and removal. Australia.
Estabrooks EZY CHEK Systems - Describes and offers tank testing and line testing equipment for underground storage tanks.
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Frontier Sales - site for promoting products for petroleum storage and handling, and related products for water and sewer handling.
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Granby Tanks - Manufacturer describes cathodic tank technology and offers above-ground and underground oil tanks for residential applications, with dealers located in the US and Canada.
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HSM Electronic - Provides products and services for automated level measuring and monitoring systems, leak detection devices, and controllers for storage tanks.
Liquid Cargo Management Limited - UK firm specializing in underground tank removals and decommissioning for retail service stations.
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National Tank Service - Cleaning and removal of petroleum storage tanks. Excess product handling, waste disposal.
Physical Acoustics Corporation - Designs and manufactures, under ISO-9001 quality standards, complete Acoustic Emission Sensors and Instruments product line, as well as complimentary other nondestructive products and services.
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RDO Environmental Services - Company in Sparks, Nevada, offers waste petroleum recycling, emergency spill response, underground tank removal and abandonment, and cleaning of above- and below-ground tanks.
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Snake River Electronics - Offers monitoring systems including marine electronics, water, waste and diesel fuel monitoring. Composite and metal holding tank monitoring.
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Veeder-Root Company - Supplier of automatic tank gauging and fuel management systems and related services, including monitoring systems for underground storage tanks.
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NY Times
September 11, 2003
New Agency Proposed to Oversee Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
By STEPHEN LABATON
The Bush administration today reco