EERE Network News
January 09, 2008
News and Events
Energy Efficiency in New Federal Buildings to Increase by 30%
Under new DOE regulations, most new federal buildings will be 30% more energy efficient than the prevailing building codes, and 40% more efficient than the standards in the current Code of Federal Regulations.
Most EERE Programs See Increased Funding in Appropriations Bill
An appropriations act signed into effect in December has allocated $1.536 billion in direct support of the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The act increases the funding for nearly all of the programs.
Idaho's First Geothermal Power Plant is Now Online
U.S. Geothermal Inc. started commercial operation of the first geothermal power plant in Idaho in early January. The new plant is expected to achieve an average annual net power output of 13 megawatts.
Wave Energy Going Commercial with License and Power Contract
Finavera Renewables Inc. recently became the first ocean energy company to earn a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The license is for a pilot project in Washington State, but the company has also signed a power purchase agreement for a future project in California.
New Cargo Ship Cuts its Fuel Use using a Kite-Like Sail
The new "Beluga SkySails" uses a kite-like sail to help tow the cargo ship across the ocean. The sail is predicted to cut the ship's fuel consumption by 10%-15%.
LEDs Jazz Up the Redesigned Times Square New Year's Eve Ball
The New Year's Eve Ball that dropped in New York City's Time Square to mark the start of 2008 was lit entirely with energy-efficient LED lights. The new ball is more than twice as bright as the old ball and uses as much energy as 10 toasters.
Energy Connections
EIA: Oil Prices to Hover Near $100 per Barrel in 2008
Crude oil briefly reached $100 per barrel on January 2nd, and then settled on a record $99.64 per barrel. DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that oil prices will remain high until 2009.
