Well, looks like we are done with spring cleaning, as you will notice a totally new and cleaner format for this newsletter. It is still the same great content, which you have come to expect from us. For clarity and your convenience, we will continue to separate stories by themes that cover business, markets, technology, research, policy and events news, along with a listing of funding announcements. In addition to the newsletter, we hope to increase the use of social media for our outreach efforts. We held an hourlong moderated forum on Twitter May 23. You may search for the forum's archive on Twitter by searching for #msenergy or @SBS_Renewable.   Additionally, our 2012 annual report is available online in an easy to read format which looks and feels just like flipping the pages of a hard copy publication.

Two significant stories of interest surfaced during the month of May. First, was a landmark decision by the U.S. Department of Energy to approve the export of domestic liquefied natural gas to countries without a free trade agreement with the United States. While several companies already have permission to export LNG to countries with free trade agreements, the new ruling opens up the window to export billions of cubic feet of natural gas to countries with huge demand in Asia and Europe. The impact of LNG export is bound to put upward pressure on domestic natural gas pricing, and these measures face stiff opposition from domestic manufacturers who could see their energy prices skyrocket. The gas export paradigm shift could be another game changer for the renewables. Just as the "dash-to-gas" syndrome is challenging the economics of many renewable energy generation projects, export driven price increases for natural gas could make certain renewable energy technologies even more cost competitive in the not-too-far distant future.

A disturbing development, on the other hand, was the announcement of the "Our Forests Aren't Fuel" campaign by the Dogwood Alliance and the Natural Resources Defense Fund. This initiative is condemning the export of wood pellets to Europe for consumption in power plants. The story was even picked up by the Wall Street Journal to be featured on the front page May 28. To some extent, this campaign does not take into account that most private landowners in the South are not looking to "kill the goose that lays the golden egg." In other words, they follow guidelines put forth by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) for managing their timber assets for generations to come. While one may question the economics and the logistics of a mandate-driven market for pellet exports to Europe, this opportunity has greatly helped the forestry industry rebound, as it was in an historic slump after the great crash of the Unites States housing market starting in 2008. Furthermore, according to the response prepared by the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO), there are 50 percent more trees today than we had in the 1950s, which can be attributed to active forest management practices. Stay tuned as this saga unfolds, and we will do our best to bring you stories from both points of view.

Closely related to the issue of forestry and renewable energy, please check out this month's exclusive interview with Chandler Van Voorhis, managing partner and chief development officer for C2I.  Chandler is a recognized expert in the area of carbon markets and conservation, and shared a wealth of information related to these fields.  

Innovate Mississippi's 6th Annual Mississippi New Venture Challenge Business Plan Competition was held May 21and attracted 41 pre-revenue and student companies. Among these companies were some that dealt with renewable energy and other sustainable practices. For example, one company is using predicative oil analysis to help extend the life of automobile engines.

Finally, please note these upcoming events: Save the date for the 12^th Annual Southern Bio-Products and Renewable Conference (September 17-18) in Tunica, Mississippi as well as RETECH 2013 in Washington, D.C. (September 9-11).  We will be conducting our Renewable Energy Venture Development Academy workshop at RETECH again this year and hope to see you there. Today is the last day to get the early bird discount for RETECH's registration.

We are always interested in your feedback and want to know how we may serve you better. Please contact me at sarora@innovate.ms or 601-960-3659 if I can be of any assistance.

USDA Extends Deadline for Fiscal Year 2013 REAP Funding

The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service has extended the deadline to apply for fiscal year 2013 Rural Energy for America Program funding. The original funding notice was published in the Federal Register on March 29.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced a five-year extension of an agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue research on developing viable aviation biofuels.  The initiative began in 2010, as part of a broad effort to achieve 1 billion gallons of annual "drop-in" aviation biofuels by 2018.

Solar Companies Offer Leases for Photovoltaic Systems

Solar companies are adapting to the demand for solar photovoltaic systems by offering more leasing options for installations. 

Energy Department Announces 61 Scientists to Receive Early Career Research Program Funding

Acting Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman today announced that 61 scientists from across the nation will receive up to $15.3 million in funding for research as part of the Energy Department's Early Career Research Program.

In Washington, the DoD will award three contracts totaling $16 million to Emerald Biofuels, Natures BioReserve and Fulcrum Biofuels for drop-in military biofuels, according to Sharon Burke, assistant secretary of defense for operational energy, who relayed the news initially to Bloomberg.