EERE Network News
March 11, 2009
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News and Events
DOE to Invest up to $84 Million in Enhanced Geothermal Systems
DOE issued two Funding Opportunity Announcements on March 4 for enhanced geothermal systems, an advanced geothermal technology that drills deep wells into hot rocks, fractures them, and circulates a fluid through the fractures to extract heat.
U.S. Transit Use Up, Driving Down in 2008
More people in the United States climbed onto light rail cars, commuter rails, subways, and buses in 2008, and people also spent less time in their cars. The number of miles traveled by vehicles throughout the country were down by nearly 108 billion miles in 2008, while transit use hit a 52-year high.
Ethanol Group Petitions EPA to Raise Blend Levels in Gasoline
As much as 15% ethanol could be blended into regular gasoline if Growth Energy, an ethanol industry group, has its way. The group has submitted a waiver request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in an attempt to expand the potential U.S. market for ethanol fuel.
Cellulosic Ethanol Gains Ground in Iowa, New York, and South Dakota
With new pilot plants producing ethanol from non-food feedstocks in New York and South Dakota, the cellulosic ethanol industry is gradually moving toward commercialization. Poet plans to begin operating a commercial facility in Iowa in 2010.
Electric Industry Examines Adding Solar Energy to Coal Plants
Utilities throughout the United States are facing requirements to deploy more solar power while they struggle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air emissions from their coal-fired power plants. The simplist way to meet both goals may be to add solar power to existing coal-fired power plants.
Extended Daylight Saving Time Saves Energy, Says DOE
For the third year in a row, Daylight Saving Time has arrived in early March rather than in April, a change welcomed by those of us who can only face the morning sun with a strong cup of coffee. But the earlier shift of sunlight hours to later in the evening is also saving energy, according to a recent DOE report.
Energy Connections
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increased 1.4% in 2007, Says EPA
The latest tally of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finds a 1.4% increase in 2007, with a total increase of 17.1% since 1990. The EPA is also proposing a comprehensive U.S. system for reporting greenhouse gas emissions.