EERE Network News
September 15, 2004
News and Events
DOE and Development Agency to Promote Clean Energy Markets
DOE and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, a development agency of the U.S. government, have agreed to work together to promote investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in emerging markets throughout the world.
Lexus Hybrid-Electric SUV Draws Strong Pre-Launch Demand
The 2006 Lexus RX 400h, a hybrid-electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), has drawn 9,000 pre-sold orders already, although it doesn't go on sale until early 2005. Meanwhile, Toyota, the parent company for Lexus, has increased the price of its popular Prius by 2.9 percent.
U.S. Traffic Jams Waste 5.7 Billion Gallons of Fuel in 2002
According to the "2004 Urban Mobility Report," published by the Texas Transportation Institute, U.S. commuters wasted 3.5 billion hours in congested traffic in 2002, causing them to waste 5.7 billion gallons of fuel. But mass transport and other approaches saved more than 2 billion gallons of fuel.
BLM Releases Draft Environmental Study for Wind Development
On September 9th, the Bureau of Land Managment (BLM) issued its Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on wind energy development on its lands in 11 western states. Public comments are due within 90 days.
Company Plans Wave Power Installation Near Rhode Island
Energetech America LLC plans to build a 500-kilowatt wave power pilot project more than a mile off the coast of Rhode Island by 2006. Meanwhile, the U.K. continues to advance marine energy with a new partnership, and a whale trapped by a Canadian tidal power plant reached a happy ending.
DOE's Reorganization of its EERE Office Earns Praise
DOE began to reorganize its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) back in July 2002, and after a unique 18-month assessment of the effort, a recent report from the National Academy of Public Administration praises the reorganization.
Site News
Simply Insulate
This Web site from the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association provides a variety of information about the benefits of insulating homes.
Energy Connections
EIA: Oil Prices to Stay Above $40 per Barrel until Mid-2005
The EIA's latest "Short-Term Energy Outlook," released in early September, notes that oil prices are remaining high even though OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is producing oil at its highest levels since it began tracking oil quotas in 1982.
