EERE Network News
November 21, 2007
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News and Events
DOE Boosts Efficiency Standards for Home Furnaces and Boilers
DOE increased the federal energy efficiency standards for residential furnaces and boilers. After the new standards take effect in 2015, they are projected to save 0.25 quadrillion Btu over the following 24 years.
Midwestern Governors Sign Climate and Energy Pacts
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the province of Manitoba are preparing to establish a regional cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emissions that targets deep cuts. These and five other Midwestern states are also pursuing an aggressive clean energy strategy.
Honda Unveils a New Fuel Cell Vehicle to be Leased Out in 2008
The new Honda FCX Clarity, unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, uses compressed hydrogen to achieve the equivalent to 68 miles per gallon of gasoline. Next summer, Honda will lease a limited number of vehicles to people in southern California at a cost of about $600 per month.
Two-Mode Hybrid Vehicles Dominate the Los Angeles Auto Show
General Motors and Chrysler are two of the four companies that teamed up to develop the "two-mode" hybrid system, which is incorporated into six new hybrids on display at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. The surprise entry from GM is a hybrid pickup slated for production in 2008.
Green Building Organizations Tackle Credentials and Remodeling
The U.S. Green Building Council is spinning off its professional accreditation program to a new organization, called the Green Building Certification Institute, and is also working with an interior design organization to establish green home remodeling guidelines.
Company Feeds Natural Gas Pipeline with Biogas from Manure
A facility in Texas is now converting manure into a methane-rich biogas that is being fed into a commercial natural gas pipeline. Meanwhile, a waste company is stepping up its efforts to produce energy from landfills, and a landfill gas company is making good use of its own product.
Energy Connections
Final Climate Change Report Raises Red Flags for the Future
Here's a strong recommendation: a United Nations official calls the latest climate change report "essential reading for every person on the planet who cares about the future." The new "synthesis" report summarizes the world's knowledge about climate change in a mere 23 pages.