EERE Network News
May 09, 2007
News and Events
IPCC Report Says Clean Energy Technologies Could Curb Climate Change
A report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on May 4th concludes that the world could reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases over the next several decades by exploiting cost-effective policies and current and emerging clean energy technologies.
Interior Department Encourages Geothermal Energy Development
In response to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the U.S. Department of the Interior has issued new rules to encourage geothermal energy development on public lands. The new rules provide competitive leasing and simplified royalty calculations while sharing royalties with county governments.
Record-Breaking Solar Power Installations Underway in the West
A 15-megawatt solar power system is under construction at an Air Force base near Las Vegas, while ground has been broken for an 8.22-megawatt system in Colorado. Also, Wal-Mart is installing solar power at 22 sites in California and Hawaii, while Kohl's is focusing on 24 of its California stores.
Solar Manufacturing Takes Flight in the United States
By 2010, new solar cell manufacturing plants in Massachusetts and Oregon will be churning out hundreds of megawatts of solar cells per year, while polysilicon plants in Idaho, Michigan, Montana, and Pennylvania will crank out an additional 25,000 tons per year of raw material for solar cells.
Study Notes Benefits of Wind Power but Calls for Guidelines
Wind power projects have significant environmental benefits, but poorly sited projects could potentially harm birds and bats, according to a new study from the National Research Council. The report calls for more research on wind power impacts and better guidance on evaluating wind projects.
Defense Department Hampered by its Fuel Dependence, says Report
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) needs to fundamentally change its approach to energy, according to a report commissioned by the DoD. Inefficient energy use impacts individual soldiers, aviation forces, forward land forces, and the military's use of mobile power sources.
Site News
EERE Encourages You to Take Our Web Site Survey
By answering a simple 10-question survey, you can help shape the future Web presence for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). It should take you less than five minutes to complete the online survey, which will be available until May 14th.
Energy Connections
U.S. Gasoline Prices Near Record High Due to Refinery Outages
With operating problems at U.S. and foreign refineries, and with a high global demand for gasoline limiting imports, U.S. gasoline inventories are below normal, according to DOE's Energy Information Administration. The low inventories are boosting gasoline prices to near record levels.
