EERE Network News
April 12, 2006
News and Events
DOE to Offer $52.5 Million for Hydrogen Research
DOE will support basic research in hydrogen storage materials, catalysts, and membranes with $52.5 million in funds over the next three years. DOE will issue a solicitation later in April and will also solicit proposals soon for efforts to make ethanol-rich E-85 fuel more widely available.
Toyota Camry Hybrid to Reach Dealer Showrooms in May
If you're thinking of buying the four-cylinder version of the 2007 Toyota Camry, consider the hybrid version instead. Available in May, the Toyota Camry Hybrid will deliver more horsepower while improving fuel economy by 40 percent. Of course, there's a price to pay for fuel efficiency.
IRS Releases Tax Credit Figures for Ford and Toyota Hybrids
If you're buying a new Ford or Toyota hybrid this year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) now has the official dollar amounts for your federal tax credit. The official numbers match the estimates released by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy earlier this year.
Corn Oil Extraction Yields New Benefits for Ethanol Producers
A new method of extracting corn oil from dried distiller's grains, an ethanol by-product, is creating an additional revenue stream for ethanol producers while making their process more energy efficient. A company plans to eventually convert the corn oil squeezings into biodiesel.
Biodiesel Distribution Expands via Blending at Fuel Terminals
New biodiesel blending capabilities at fuel terminals in Michigan, New York, and Texas will make it easier to sell biodiesel in those states. A new Earth Biofuels biodiesel plant in Oklahoma supplies the Texas fuel terminal, while the company's product has debuted in California and Mississippi.
DOE Conducts Energy Assessments at Two Paper Mills
DOE is carrying out three-day energy assessments at paper mills in Perdue Hill, Alabama, and Wallula, Washington. DOE's first 21 industrial Energy Saving Assessments have identified a total of $64 million per year in potential energy savings, which could cut annual natural gas use by 8 trillion Btu.
Energy Connections
EIA: Gasoline Prices to be Higher this Summer
Motorists will pay an average of a quarter more per gallon for regular gasoline this summer, according to DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). Gasoline prices are already above the EIA's projected average of $2.62 per gallon, but the agency expects prices to drop by summer's end.
