EERE Network News
August 06, 2008
News and Events
DOE and USDA Award $10 Million for Cellulosic Biofuel Research
DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on July 31 their plans to award 10 grants, totaling more than $10 million, to accelerate fundamental research in the development of cellulosic biofuels.
DOE to Save $13 Million in Annual Energy Costs at Four National Labs
DOE announced on August 4 that it has signed contracts for $140 million in energy efficiency improvements at four DOE laboratories, which will help DOE save about $13 million on energy and energy-related costs per year.
DOE Pursues Zero-Net Energy Commercial Buildings
DOE will extend its work on zero-net energy homes to commercial buildings with its new Zero-Net Energy Commercial Building Initiative. In addition, a new collaborative of five national laboratories will work closely with DOE on key efforts to advance zero-net energy buildings.
Housing Act Aims to Encourage Energy Efficient Mortgages
The new Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 is mainly intended to address the U.S. mortgage crisis, but it may also promote the use of energy efficient mortgages. Such mortgages can provide long-term financing for energy efficiency improvements to owner-occupied homes.
GM and Utilities to Study how Plug-In Hybrids Connect to the Grid
General Motors Corporation (GM) and the Electric Power Research Institute are teaming up to study how plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will integrate with the electrical grid. Studies have concluded that a large number of plug-in hybrids could be charged by today's power plants using off-peak power.
Assistant Secretary Alexander Karsner Announces Resignation
DOE's Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Alexander Karsner, has announced his resignation, to be effective as of August 30. Karsner has served as the Assistant Secretary since March 2006, and has since managed EERE's $1.2 billion portfolio.
Energy Connections
Study Finds a Large Supply of Natural Gas in U.S. Shale Formations
According to a new study, natural gas production from shale formations in the United States could boost domestic production enough to eliminate the need for imports. That could provide the price stability needed to encourage utilities and automakers to rely more heavily on natural gas.
