EERE Network News
March 01, 2006
News and Events
DOE Offers $160 Million for Biorefinery Construction
DOE is offering to provide $160 million over the next three years to construct up to three biorefineries. Like today's refineries, biorefineries will produce a variety of fuels and chemicals, but instead of deriving the products from petroleum, they'll use biomass as their feedstock.
Energy Officials Promote Solar, Biofuels, and Hydrogen Initiatives
Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman visited a solar technologies company and GM in late February to promote the President's Solar America Initiative and Hydrogen Fuel Initiative. Other DOE officials highlighted the Biofuels Initiative and green buildings.
DOE Conducts Energy Assessments at Seven Industrial Plants
In late February, DOE launched Industrial Energy Saving Assessements at industries in Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. The facilities included three paper mills, a steel mill, a chemical plant, a glassmaking plant, and a semiconductor plant.
USDA Awards $8.6 Million to Clean Energy Projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $8.6 million to six clean energy projects, including home energy retrofits, two wind projects, a solar project, a new biodiesel production plant, and the repair of a hydropower system. The projects are located in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, and Iowa.
IRS Releases Guidance on Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
Both homebuilders and homeowners can earn new federal tax credits for energy efficiency. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released new guidance on how homebuilders can earn credits of up to $2,000 and how homeowners can earn credits of up to $500.
California Builders Include Solar Power on Hundreds of Homes
Two homebuilders in California are currently building hundreds of homes that will feature solar power systems and energy-efficient designs. The homes will cut utility bills by 70 percent and are being built to qualify for the California Energy Commission's Zero Energy New Home Initiative.
Energy Connections
Alaska and Oil Producers Reach Natural Gas Pipeline Agreement
Both the State of Alaska and the state's major oil producers want a natural gas pipeline to deliver the state's natural gas supplies to the lower 48 states. They also all want to make money on the deal. A new agreement seems likely to make all parties happy, allowing the pipeline project to proceed.
