EERE Network News
March 17, 2004
News and Events
DOE Launches "Energy Hog" Energy Efficiency Campaign
A new Energy Efficiency Campaign—developed by the Advertising Council and Energy Outreach Colorado, and sponsored in part by DOE—will make children and their parents more aware of energy efficient behavior through the bad example of the Energy Hog, an energy-wasting villain.
DOE Offers $6 Million to Advance Solid-State Lighting
DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory issued a $6 million solicitation in late February for research in solid-state lighting, such as LEDs and Organic LEDs (OLEDs). Recently, GE Global Research achieved two world records with its OLED device as a result of its DOE-funded research.
DOE Releases Long-Term Hydrogen Research Plan
DOE released a hydrogen research plan on March 10th that integrates the research, development, and demonstration activities of four DOE offices: energy efficiency and renewable energy, nuclear energy, fossil energy, and science.
Ford to Employ Toyota's Hybrid Electric Control Technology
Ford's new Escape Hybrid, due out this summer, will feature hybrid electric control technology and emission control technology developed by Toyota. Meanwhile, both the EPA and the Army unveiled new hydraulic hybrid vehicles that promise significant fuel economy gains.
General Electric Wins Approval to Buy AstroPower Assets
GE has won approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to purchase most of AstroPower's assets for $15 million in cash. If the deal goes through as expected in March, GE will become a U.S. leader in both wind and solar energy. Meanwhile, First Solar is expanding its production four-fold.
U.S. Firms to Test Ocean Wave, Current, and Thermal Technologies
Four U.S. firms are plunging into ocean energy: a wave energy firm will build a 1.25-megawatt facility to power Spain's power grid, the Navy is testing a U.S.-made turbine for catching the energy of the Gulf Stream, and two firms intend to build a 10-megawatt ocean thermal system by 2007.
Site News
New FEMP Web Site Reflects the Program's Energy Expertise
The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), one of 11 energy programs in the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), has captured its energy expertise in a newly revised Web site that provides simple, intuitive access to information about the program.
Energy Connections
Latest U.S. Census Shows More Workers Driving Alone to Work
More than three-quarter of U.S. workers drove alone to work in 2000, and from 1990 to 2000, U.S. workers experienced a 14 percent increase in their travel time to work, according to the 2000 census. And a new EPA report finds that "smart growth" transportation systems can help relieve congestion.
