EERE Network News
May 16, 2007
News and Events
President Bush Acts to Cut GHG Emissions from Vehicles and Engines
An executive order issued by President Bush on May 14th directs DOE, the EPA, and the U.S. Department of Transportation to prepare regulations to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from motor vehicles, non-road vehicles, and non-road engines.
DOE Awards $11.2 Million for Hydrogen Research
DOE has selected 13 hydrogen research projects to receive $11.2 million in funding. Seven of the projects will examine novel materials for hydrogen storage and six projects will study nanoscale catalysts. The new catalysts could enhance hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cell technologies.
DOE Issues Proposed Rules for Clean Energy Loan Guarantees
DOE's new Loan Guarantee program is moving ahead with the publication of proposed rules for the program. DOE will guarantee loans for new technologies that avoid air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. For the current fiscal year, Congress authorized DOE to guarantee $4 billion in loans.
IBM Launches a Billion-Dollar Efficiency Effort for Data Centers
Big Blue has launched "Project Big Green," a billion-dollar effort to cut energy use in data centers. IBM claims that the average data center could cut its energy use by 42 percent, although a current project at a California utility is expected to yield an 80 percent energy savings.
New Hampshire Enacts a Renewable Requirement with Solar Set-Asides
New Hampshire's Renewable Energy Act requires the state's utilities to draw on solar power for 0.3 percent of their electricity needs by 2014 and to draw on other new renewable energy facilities for 6 percent of their power needs in 2015, increasing to 16 percent in 2025.
Texas to Provide Two-Thirds of U.S. Wind Growth this Year
The first-quarter market report from the American Wind Energy Association notes that the United States is on track to install more than 3,000 megawatts of new wind power capacity this year. Texas is expected to lead the way with 2,000 megawatts of new wind power capacity.
Energy Connections
Thirty-One States and One Tribe Join New Climate Registry
A new effort called The Climate Registry aims to measure, track, verify, and publicly report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The initial participants in the Registry include 31 states and the Campo Kumeyaay Nation, a tribe in southern California.
