EERE Network News
April 07, 2004
News and Events
DOE Awards $128.2 Million to Weatherize Homes in 30 States and the Navajo Nation
More than 50,000 homes of low-income families in 30 states, plus the Navajo Nation, will soon become more energy efficient, thanks to $128.2 million in funds awarded by DOE on April 1st. Home weatherization reduces an average home's energy costs by $218 per year.
DOE Will Enforce 13 SEER Air Conditioner Standard
DOE will enforce a 13 seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) standard for residential central air conditioners, which takes effect in January 2006. This standard represents a 30 percent increase in energy efficiency compared to the SEER standard that applies to models sold today.
Florida Schools Launch On-Line Energy Monitoring
A new on-line energy monitoring system called the "Utility Report Card" is now serving the public schools in Florida's Orange County. The system allow school districts to monitor energy used by individual schools, and also serves as a learning tool for teachers and students.
GE Energy Completes Its Acquisition of AstroPower
GE Energy has acquired nearly all of the U.S. assets of AstroPower, Inc. The company now adds solar energy to its renewable energy portfolio, adding to recent successes chalked up in wind energy, hydropower, and cogeneration.
Illinois Gains Its First Commercial Wind Power Plant
The first commercial wind power project in Illinois is also the first U.S. project for Spanish wind developer Gamesa Energia. The 50.4-megawatt Mendota Hills Wind Farm was dedicated in late March. California also gained a 22-megawatt wind plant, and UL is building a wind turbine test facility in Wyoming.
New Jersey Doubles Its Requirements for Renewable Energy
New Jersey utility regulators have adopted new rules that require electricity suppliers to draw on renewable energy for 4 percent of the electricity they sell by 2008. According to SEIA, the new rules also include a requirement for 90 megawatts of solar power in the state by 2008.
Energy Connections
Task Force Issues Final Report on August 2003 Blackout
The final report of the U.S.-Canada Power System Outage Task Force calls for tighter and tougher electricity reliability standards in order to prevent a repeat of the August 14th, 2003, blackout. The task force extended its mandate by a year to ensure its recommendations are acted upon.
