EERE Network News
March 07, 2007
News and Events
DOE Invests $385 Million in Six Cellulosic Ethanol Projects
DOE has selected six biorefinery projects that will receive up to $385 million over the next four years. Once completed, the plants in Kansas, Florida, California, Iowa, Idaho, and Georgia will produce more than 130 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year.
Corn Ethanol Production Increased 25 Percent in 2006
The production of ethanol fuel from corn in the United States increased 24.3 percent in 2006, for a total of 4.86 billion gallons. U.S. ethanol plants currently have the capacity to produce more than 5.6 billion gallons of the fuel.
DOE Completes 200 Industrial Energy Savings Assessments
DOE has reached its goal of 200 Energy Savings Assessments at industrial facilities across the country. The energy improvements could save almost a half a billion dollars per year.
Energy Policy Act Starts Daylight Saving Time on March 11th
In an attempt to save energy, Daylight Saving Time will start on March 11th this year, the second Sunday in March, and will also be extended to the first Sunday in November. DOE will study the impacts on energy use, and Congress has reserved the right to switch back to the old dates.
GAO Report Says DOE Missed Efficiency Standards Deadlines
A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) faults DOE for missing its deadlines on setting energy efficiency standards. DOE has acknowledged the problem and has published a five-year plan to address the backlog. DOE has also proposed a faster process for certain situations.
Scotland Awards $25 Million for Wave and Tidal Energy Projects
With funds from the Scottish Executive, the European Marine Energy Center in Orkney will soon host four new wave energy systems and three new tidal energy systems. The funds will also support a nearby tidal energy system and an improvement to a wave energy prototype on Islay island.
Energy Connections
Study Sees Potential in Unconventional Oil and Gas Sources
A new report estimates that unconventional sources of oil could provide more than 20 percent of the global oil supply by 2025, while unconventional natural gas sources could provide more than 40 percent of the U.S. natural gas supply by 2010.
