EERE Network News
December 21, 2005
News and Events
DOE Sets Tougher Standards for Energy Star Clothes Washers
Clothes washers that carry the Energy Star label will have to meet higher energy efficiency standards starting in 2007, according to DOE. For the first time, the new Energy Star standards will also include a requirement for water efficiency.
Energy Saving Teams Sent to Federal Facilities in Six States
DOE deployed Energy Saving Teams to federal facilities in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oklahoma in mid-December. As of December 16th, DOE had performed energy assessments at 26 federal facilities and 5 industrial plants.
DOE Awards $2.2 Million for Energy-Efficient Pulp and Paper Production
How can the pulp and paper industry cut its energy use? One way is to design a paper press that squeezes more water out of the pulp, making drying easier. Another way is to eliminate energy-intensive lime kilns. Or you can just design a whole new process. DOE is now funding all three approaches.
BLM to Pursue Increased Wind Power on Public Lands
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to approve 3,200 megawatts of wind power on public lands in coming years and has completed an environmental review to speed that process. Meanwhile, federal regulators have set rules allowing wind plants to work better with the power grid.
FERC Issues Rules Enabling Tax Credits for Hydropower Expansions
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 allows tax credits for expansions of hydropower sites, but first the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must certify the boost in generation from that expansion. One future expansion is the addition of advanced turbines on a Columbia River project.
IRS Seeks Applications for $800 Million in Clean Energy Bonds
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is requesting applications for renewable energy projects to be financed with up to $800 million in "tax-credit" bonds. The bonds are a federally subsidized method of offering essentially interest-free financing to electric coops and government bodies.
California Boosts Solar Photovoltaic Funding by $300 Million
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has developed a ten-year plan to install 3,000 megawatts of solar photovoltaic power throughout the state. As the first step, the CPUC added $300 million to its solar incentive program. The CPUC will decide on the rest of the plan in January.
Energy Connections
Save Energy with LED Lights and Timers this Holiday Season
Holiday lights that use LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are available in a greater selection of colors and shapes this year. The bulbs use much less energy than other alternatives and also produce no heat. And to really save energy on holiday lighting, put your LED lights (and others) on a timer.
