EERE Network News
October 13, 2004
News and Events
DOE and EPA Announce Fuel Economy Leaders for Model Year 2005
The Honda Insight continues to lead the pack of new vehicles sold in the United States in terms of fuel economy, while the new Ford Escape Hybrid debuts in twelfth place. The new Fuel Economy Guide also includes information about electric and clean-fuel tax incentives, just extended by a new law.
Pennsylvania Firms to Explore Hydrogen Production and Transport
More than $7 million in DOE funds will help Media and Process Technology and Air Products and Chemicals to develop new methods to generate hydrogen from gasified fuels and to store and transport hydrogen by absorbing it into a liquid. The two projects will extend over the next three to four years.
Wind Power Projects Press Ahead in Oregon, Minnesota, and Canada
PPM Energy is building a 75-megawatt wind project in Oregon and a 100-megawatt wind project in Minnesota, thanks to the renewal of the production tax credit. Meanwhile, Quebec is launching six wind projects that total 990 megawatts, and a 450-megawatt project on Vancouver Island is moving ahead.
New York Awards $1.2 Million to Biomass and Wind Energy Projects
New York Governor Pataki announced awards of $1.2 million to six wind energy assessment projects and one biomass energy pilot project on October 4th. The governor announced the awards at the Ninth Annual National Green Power Marketing Conference in Albany.
Connecticut Offers $1.8 Million in Solar Power Rebates
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund is making $1.8 million in rebates available to effectively cut the cost of solar power installations in half. Homeowners can receive rebates as large as $25,000 per home. The fund is also supporting a pilot project to build a 5-kilowatt regenerative fuel cell.
USDA Requests Public Comment on Renewable, Efficiency Program Rules
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing new program rules for its Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program, with public comments due in early November. The proposed rule establishes a new process for offering loans and loan guarantees.
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TRECNET
The Tradable Renewable Energy Certificate Expert Network (TRECNET) aims to advance the development and sharing of information, knowledge, and experience of tradable renewable energy certificates, a mechanism for tracking and verifying electricity generated by renewable energy.
Energy Connections
EIA: U.S. Home Heating Bills to Go Up 15 Percent this Winter
U.S. residential heating bills are expected to be 15 percent higher this winter on average, and 28 percent higher for those using heating oil. Oil prices topped $53 per barrel in early October, and natural gas prices are up as well. But a warmer winter in some regions may lessen the impact.
