EERE Network News
April 18, 2007
News and Events
DOE Awards $8.2 Million for Hydrogen Storage Research
DOE will provide up to $8.2 million for six hydrogen research projects. The projects will focus on technologies that allow onboard hydrogen storage in vehicles and improved drive ranges while still meeting performance expectations.
EPA Establishes Rules for the National Renewable Fuel Standard
The EPA has established the first Renewable Fuel Standard program, which aims to cut petroleum use by up to 3.9 billion gallons by 2012. The program requires major U.S. refiners, blenders, and importers to use a minimum volume of renewable fuel.
Texas Firms its Lead Over California in Wind Power Capacity
Texas has secured its title as the state with the most wind power capacity, and now exceeds second-place California by 17 percent. Wind turbine sales across the country are strong this year.
NREL Laboratory Earns LEED Platinum, a Federal First
The new Science and Technology Facility at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, has earned a LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Local governments around the country are also encouraging green building practices.
DOE Updates EnergyPlus Program for Building Energy Design
A new version of DOE's award-winning EnergyPlus software program is now available for architects, building engineers, and others to model energy flow within a building. EnergyPlus is among the 20 software programs examined in a 2005 report that compares and contrasts the features of each.
Lexus Announces Luxury Hybrid MSRP, Hybrid Sales Increase
The MSRP of the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L luxury hybrid sedan has been set at $104,000. The LS Hybrid is expected to produce 70 percent fewer emissions than its cleanest competitors, while still achieving high performance.
Energy Connections
Carbon Sequestration Sites Found for Over 3,500 Billion Tons
DOE's Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships program has identified sites with the potential to store 3,500 billion tons of carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is stored in geologic formations, soils, and vegetation to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
