EERE Network News
June 29, 2005
News and Events
David Garman Sworn in as Under Secretary of Energy
David K. Garman, who has served as Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) since 2001, was sworn in on June 23rd as Under Secretary of Energy for Energy, Science and Environment. DOE named Douglas Faulkner as the Acting Assistant Secretary for EERE.
BLM Proposes to Encourage Wind Energy Development in the West
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has concluded a year-and-a-half project to evaluate the environmental impact of wind energy development on public lands in the West. BLM proposes to speed up wind permitting and amend land-use plans in nine western states to encourage wind development.
Pennsylvania Awards $10 Million to 17 Clean Energy Projects
Pennsylvania awarded $10 million to 17 energy projects on June 23rd, including six projects to produce power from wind energy, biomass, and waste heat; three energy efficiency projects; and four research projects involving biofuels, solid-oxide fuel cells, solar cells, and silicon for solar cells.
Unmanned Airplane Flies Two Days on Solar and Battery Power
In early June, a company flew a remote-controlled plane for more than two days on solar energy alone. A separate effort is developing a one-man solar aircraft that will attempt to fly around the world. Meanwhile, efforts to propel a spacecraft with the solar wind were stymied by a launch failure.
Nevada Law Promotes Green Building, Alters Renewable Mandate
A newly approved law in Nevada creates new incentives and standards for green building within the state. The law also changes the state's renewable energy requirement—extending the targets while allowing credit for energy efficiency efforts—and modifies a solar power program.
Green Chemistry Challenge Honors Two Biomass Achievements
The 2005 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards were handed out to six leading researchers and industrial innovators in mid-June. Two of the awardees are developing biomass-related technologies, including solvents that dissolve cellulose and engineered microbes that produce new plastics.
Site News
Hybridcenter.org
This new Web site features an interactive hybrid vehicle buyer's guide, an interactive "under the hood" feature for technophiles, a guide to hybrid consumer incentives, tips for quicker access to the most popular models, comparisons of hybrid vehicles on the market, and vehicle reviews.
Energy Connections
BP Report Finds Record Growth in World Energy Demand in 2004
World energy demand increased 4.3 percent in 2004, according to BP's annual Statistical Review of World Energy. China dominated the world energy growth with a 15.1 percent increase in energy use, while the rest of the world's energy use increased only 2.8 percent.
