EERE Network News
July 07, 2004
News and Events
Honda Unveils the Hybrid-Electric Accord
American Honda released images of its new 2005 Accord V6 Hybrid on June 28th. When the new 240-horsepower hybrid vehicle goes on sale this fall, Honda's fleet of hybrid vehicles will expand to three: the Accord Hybrid, the Civic Hybrid, and the Insight.
Rhode Island Sets Renewable Energy Requirements
Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri signed a bill on June 29th requiring utilities to draw on renewable energy for 16 percent of their electricity supply by 2019. Solar, wind, ocean, geothermal, and biomass power plants qualify, as well as small run-of-river hydropower plants.
L.A. Aims to Meet California's Renewable Energy Requirements
The Los Angeles Department of Power and Water (LADWP) is not required by law to meet California's renewable energy requirements, but the city has decided to meet the requirements anyway. A new request for proposals from LADWP is putting that process into motion.
USDA Awards Grants for Wind and Solar Energy Projects
The U.S. Deparment of Agriculture awarded $11.3 million in June to six projects that will cut high energy costs in rural areas, including a wind turbine in Alaska, a solar project on tribal lands in Arizona, and a combination of wind, solar, and energy efficiency in parts of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.
New York State Awards $15 Million for Clean Energy Projects
New York State awarded $15 million in late June to 52 distributed generation and combined heat and power projects throughout the state. The projects include anaerobic digesters, fuel cells, microturbines, battery storage, a hydropower turbine, and even a tidal energy project.
Construction Starts on Grid-Connected Superconducting Cable
Construction is now underway on a 350-meter superconducting cable connecting two substations in Albany, New York. The superconducing cable and another futuristic grid device, a convertible static compensator, will prove the technologies needed for a future highly reliable "smart grid."
Site News
UMass Lowell Solar Energy Engineering Program
The Solar Energy Engineering Program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell offers solar energy coursework and hosts the Center for Sustainable Energy.
Energy Connections
U.S. Greenhouse Emissions Increased Moderately in 2003
U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels increased by 0.9 percent in 2003, according to preliminary estimates released in late June by DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). The emissions still remain below 2000 levels, but are 16 percent higher than 1990 levels.
