EERE Network News
March 02, 2005
News and Events
Northwest Power Industry Commits $100 Million for Efficiency
Energy efficiency programs in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington will be going strong for at least the next five years, as the electric utilities and public benefit fund managers in those states have committed to provide $20 million per year to the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
New York State Funds Two Wind Power and Three Hydropower Projects
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has agreed to pay $15.7 million in 2006 to buy the renewable energy attributes of the power generated from two new wind plants and three upgraded hydropower projects.
Utilities Pursue Biomass Power in Arizona, Alabama, and Georgia
While Arizona's Salt River Project has agreed to purchase 10 megawatts of power from a proposed wood-fired power plant, two coal plants in Alabama and Georgia have been co- firing switchgrass with their coal since 2001. Their owner, Southern Company, is now exploring biomass gasification.
Ethanol Production Reaches New Heights in 2004
The U.S. ethanol fuel industry continues to grow, setting an annual production record of 3.4 billion gallons in 2004, a 21 percent increase. There are currently 83 ethanol fuel plants operating nationwide, with a combined production capacity of 3.7 billion gallons of ethanol per year.
Hybrid Bus Fleets Grow in New York City, L.A., and Indianapolis
The fleet of hybrid electric buses in the New York City transit system will grow to 325 by the end of this year, making it the world's largest fleet of hybrid buses. New hybrid buses are also appearing at the Los Angeles International Airport and on the streets of Indianapolis.
One-Megawatt Fuel Cell Planned for San Diego Hotel
The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina will feature four 250-kilowatt fuel cell power plants by year end, for a total of one megawatt. The fuel cell installation will provide baseload power to the hotel, and its waste heat will heat the pool. A 500-kilowatt fuel cell plant is also online in Santa Barbara.
Site News
Study Leads to New Web Site for Energy Efficiency Best Practices
The new Best Practices Benchmarking for Energy Efficiency Programs Web site is the online version of the National Energy Efficiency Best Practices Study, a benchmarking study to identify best practices in energy efficiency programs throughout the United States.
Energy Connections
EIA: U.S. Companies Achieving Greater Cuts in Greenhouse Gases
According to DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA), the 234 U.S. companies and other entities participating in its Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program achieved a slight increase in their reductions of greenhouse gases in 2003.
