EERE Network News
March 15, 2006
News and Events
DOE to Develop Offshore Wind Turbine with General Electric
Offshore wind power plants offer a potential source of clean energy for coastal cities, but none have been built in the United States. To garner interest in the technology, a new contract between GE and DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory aims to cut costs for offshore wind projects.
Clean Energy Markets to Quadruple by 2015, Says Report
The markets for biofuels, wind power, solar photovoltaic power, fuel cells, and hydrogen technologies will quadruple by 2015, and the U.S. is well positioned to benefit from those markets, according to recent reports. Three new wind turbine manufacturing plants in Pennsylvania support the findings.
Minnesota, Wisconsin Governments to Use More Renewable Fuels
New executive orders from the governors of Minnesota and Wisconsin will increase the use of renewable fuels in state-owned vehicles and will encourage private companies to install new ethanol and biodiesel fuel pumps.
Volvo Unveils Hybrid Drives for Trucks and Buses
Volvo has developed prototype trucks and buses with hybrid electric diesel drivetrains, a first for one of the world's largest manufacturers of trucks and buses. But Volvo can expect stiff competition from GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and other companies that have a headstart in hybrid heavy vehicles.
Consumer Reports: Two Hybrids Pay for Themselves in Gas Savings
Even Consumer Reports can be wrong sometimes: the company has revised an article on hybrid vehicles to conclude that the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid will pay for their extra cost through federal tax credits and savings on gasoline. State incentives tip the scale even more.
DOE Conducts Energy Assessment at Paper Mill in Oregon
DOE has sent an Energy Saving Team to the West Linn Paper Company near Portland to conduct a three-day energy assessment. The facility is the oldest active paper mill in the United States, producing 650 tons of paper per day.
Site News
State Incentives Database Now Includes Energy Efficiency
The Web site currently known as DSIRE (the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy) may need to change its name to DSIREEE, since it has now added state-by-state information on energy efficiency incentives.
Energy Connections
EIA: Efforts to Cut Greenhouse Gases Show Slow Growth in 2004
More than 2,000 voluntary projects throughout the United States helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 2004, according to DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). Unfortunately, most were old projects that yielded the same emissions benefits as they did in 2003.
