EERE Network News
April 20, 2005
News and Events
NREL Reports Growth in Utility Green Power Sales in 2004
Nearly 600 utilities in 34 states now offer the option for the customers to buy green power—electricity from renewable energy sources—at a slight premium, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Austin Energy has led in total sales since 2002.
Novozymes and NREL Cut Cost of Converting Biomass to Ethanol
Novozymes A/S announced on April 14th that its project with DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) successfully achieved a 30-fold reduction in the cost of enzymes needed to convert corn stover to ethanol. The process will be tested at a Nebraska pilot plant in 2006.
FERC: No Hydropower License Required for N.Y. Tidal Power Test
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently told Verdant Power that it does not need a hydropower license to test six underwater turbines in New York City's East River. If its tests are successful, Verdant Power plans to install a 10.4-megawatt tidal power system by 2007.
Washington State Approves Green Building Law
Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed a bill into law in early April that requires new public schools and other state buildings to meet green building standards. A similar executive order in Arizona requires state buildings to meet the U.S. Green Building Council's Silver LEED standard.
Wisconsin Paper Mills Cut Costs with Energy Efficiency, Hydropower
Since 2001, Stora Enso has worked with Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program to make energy-saving improvements at its Wisconsin paper mills. The company is now saving millions each year through such changes as installing a dryer managment system and rewinding two hydropower turbines.
Site News
Commercial Windows Initiative
The Commercial Windows Initiative, a project of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, works to increase the energy efficiency of windows used in small to medium-sized commercial and multi-family construction projects in the Northwest.
Energy Connections
EIA Study Finds Minor Economic Impact from Greenhouse Gas Cuts
A new EIA study says a variety of government energy programs, tax incentives, and energy efficiency standards, in combination with a greenhouse gas trading scheme, would cut future U.S. energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while having a negligible impact on the economy.
