EERE Network News
April 01, 2009
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News and Events
DOE to Award $3.2 Billion in Energy Efficiency Block Grants
DOE is awarding $3.2 billion in grants to cities, counties, states, tribes, and territories through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. The program is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Cathy Zoi Nominated for the Assistant Secretary of EERE
After starting the Energy Star program and serving in the Clinton-Gore White House, Cathy Zoi promoted sustainable energy in Australia, then returned to the United States to run the Alliance for Climate Protection. Now she's being nominated to head the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
President Obama Launches an International Climate Forum
Representatives from the United States and 16 other major economies will hold a series of meetings on clean energy growth and greenhouse gas reductions starting in late April. The Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate will culminate in a meeting of the countries' leaders in July.
Fuel Economy Standards Raised by 2 mpg for Model Year 2011
The U.S. Department of Transportation has published new fuel economy standards that are expected to raise the average fuel economy of model year 2011 cars and light trucks to 27.3 miles per gallon (mpg). By model year 2020, the average fuel economy must be raised to at least 35 mpg.
Tesla Motors Unveils the Model S, an All-Electric Sedan
The company that wowed sports car enthusiasts with its all-electric Roadster will soon move on to the luxury sedan market, with the anticipated launch of the Tesla Model S in 2012. Tesla Motors is now accepting refundable deposits of $5,000 for the sedan, which has a base price of $57,400.
2010 Honda Insight Goes on Sale for Less Than $20,000
The 2010 Honda Insight went on sale on March 24 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of only $19,800, a price that hasn't been beat by a hybrid vehicle since the previous version of the Honda Insight. Of course, the earlier version only sat two, while the new version has room for five.
Energy Connections
EIA: High Oil Prices, GHG Controls Would Help Clean Energy Grow
DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the reference case for its Annual Energy Outlook in December 2008, and although that painted a promising future for U.S. clean energy, the newly released scenarios for high oil prices and strict greenhouse gas (GHG) controls create even stronger clean energy growth.