EERE Network News
February 09, 2005
News and Events
White House Budget Boosts Funding for Hydrogen
President Bush's proposed budget for fiscal year 2006 includes $260 million for the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, an increase of $35 million over 2005 funding levels. Technological advances have reduced the projected high- volume cost for fuel cells by 27 percent in the past two years.
2006 Budget Includes Tax Incentives for Renewables and Clean Vehicles
President Bush's proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2006 includes an extended production tax credit for renewable power, an investment credit for businesses installing combined heat and power, and tax credits for buying solar energy systems and hybrid-electric and fuel cell vehicles.
DOE Proposes $1.2 Billion for Efficiency and Renewables in 2006
President Bush's proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2006 includes roughly $1.2 billion for the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
Bush Administration Pushes Renewable Energy on Public Lands
A new report from the U.S. Department of Interior notes that the department's Bureau of Land Management has processed 200 geothermal lease applications since 2001 and issued more than 60 rights-of-way for wind energy testing and development.
Lexus Hybrid SUV Aims for 30 mpg in City Driving
In early February, Lexus released new information about its upcoming hybrid electric sports utility vehicle (SUV), the RX 400h. In city driving, the new vehicle is expected to achieve a 67 percent improvement in fuel economy over the comparable RX 330, while accelerating to 60 mph faster.
U.K. and China Plan to Build Wave and Tidal Energy Plants
As the United Kingdom and China pursue wave and tidal energy demonstration plants, a new report from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) finds that wave power could soon be cost-competitive in the United States. The report concludes that further wave power research is warranted.
Site News
Please Update Your Links and Bookmarks to the EERE Web Site
Two years ago, DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) moved its Web site to a new address and left the old "EREN" name behind, but a recent tally found that more than 60,000 links still go to the old EREN Web address.
Energy Connections
EIA: Oil Prices to Stay Above $40 per Barrel Through 2006
The latest "Short Term Energy Outlook" from DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects oil prices remaining above $40 per barrel through the end of 2006. Meanwhile, Shell has once again reduced its estimate of proved oil and gas reserves, this time by 10 percent.
