EERE Network News
November 08, 2006
News and Events
U.S. Biodiesel Production Expected to Triple in 2006
U.S. production of biodiesel could hit 250 million gallons this year, triple the amount produced in 2005. The numbers are expected to keep soaring, as the industy has a production capacity of at least 580 million gallons per year, and projects now underway could boost that to 2 billion gallons per year.
U.S. Ethanol Fuel Industry Expects 20 Percent Growth in 2006
The U.S. ethanol fuel industry is projected to produce at least 4.7 billion gallons of ethanol this year, a 20 percent increase over last year's production. The industry currently has a capacity of 5 billion gallons per year, and projects underway will boost that capacity to about 8.5 billion gallons.
Experts Say Industry Standards are Key for the Growth of Biofuels
While DOE is working with Underwriters Laboratories Inc. to set new standards for ethanol fuel pumps, ASTM International is developing new international standards for biodiesel. The two efforts are indicative of the industry standards needed to assure the long-term growth of the biofuels industry.
Arizona Requires 15 Percent Renewable Power by 2025
The Arizona Corporation Commission has set new Renewable Energy Standards for utilities, requiring 15 percent of their power to come from renewable energy by 2025. The rules also require a growing percentage of that power to come from renewable power systems owned by customers.
Federal Partnership Saves Energy for 337,000 U.S. Households
The Partnerships for Home Energy Efficiency helped to improve the efficiency of more than 337,000 homes and apartments across the United States in 2005. The partnership is a joint effort of DOE, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Asia-Pacific Partnership Yields Renewable Energy and Efficiency Projects
The United States and five Asia-Pacific nations have endorsed detailed action plans for clean energy development, including 44 projects related to energy efficiency and renewable energy. The energy projects include solar energy, biomass, geothermal power, hydropower, hydrogen, and fuel cells.
Energy Connections
Study Finds Solar Brightness to be Remarkably Constant
Although the sun is thought to have brightened by 30 percent over its lifetime, a new study finds that solar brightness is rock-steady in recent history. Even the 11-year cycle of solar sunspot activity causes only a 0.07 percent change in solar brightness, according to the study.
