EERE Network News
October 25, 2006
News and Events
DOE and EPA Release the 2007 Fuel Economy Guide
DOE and EPA have released the 2007 Fuel Economy Guide, which provides guidance on the vehicles with the highest and lowest overall fuel economy, as well as fuel economy ratings by vehicle class.
Honda Takes Fuel Economy Sky High with New Light Jet
Honda is already the fuel economy leader on the ground, but the company aims to be a leader in the sky as well. The new HondaJet from the Honda Aircraft Company is expected to achieve energy efficiency gains of 30 to 35 percent. The jet's efficient engine will also be used in a new jet from Spectrum.
Transit Administration Awards $49 Million for Fuel Cell Buses
The Federal Transit Administration is awarding $49 million to develop advanced fuel cell buses, including a plug-in hybrid version. The awards will support field tests in Alabama, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New York, and South Carolina.
Ford and BP Open Hydrogen Fueling Station in Michigan
Michigan has gained its eighth hydrogen fueling station with the installation of a new facility in Taylor. Ford Motor Company is providing four Ford Focus fuel cell vehicles for use by the city, while BP is providing the hydrogen fuel. The fueling station is part of a DOE demonstration project.
Google Launches a Record-Setting Solar Power Project
Google is about install 1.6 megawatts (MW) of solar power at its Mountain View campus in California. When complete, the system will be the largest on a single corporate campus.
FPL Energy Dedicates the World's Largest Wind Power Plant
The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center near Abilene, Texas, has grown steadily over the past two years, and is now at a world-record size of 735 megawatts (MW). Meanwhile, Illinois is planning a 400-MW wind project, and two new wind projects in New York and Kansas add a total of 331.5 MW.
Energy Connections
Federal Regulators Propose to Approve 83 Reliability Standards
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission plans to adopt 83 new electric reliability standards proposed by the U.S. Electric Reliability Organization. That organization also warns of an power crisis within 10 years unless more power facilities are built and more "demand side" measures are implemented.
