EERE Network News
September 17, 2008
News and Events
DOE to Invest $4.4 Million in Six Biofuels Research Projects
DOE has selected six university-led advanced biofuels projects to receive up to $4.4 million, subject to annual appropriations. The projects will conduct research and development on biomass conversion technologies for turning non-food feedstocks into advanced biofuels.
DOE and Ad Council Launch Energy Efficiency Campaigns for Kids
DOE launched two new energy efficiency campaigns for kids on September 12: "What's your Excuse?," which is focused on the 8-12 "tween" market, and a Tinker Bell-themed campaign for 8- to 9-year-olds.
GM Celebrates its 100 Birthday by Unveiling the Chevrolet Volt
After 100 years of primarily producing vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, General Motors Corporation (GM) marked its anniversary date by unveiling a vehicle driven mainly by an electric motor: the Chevrolet Volt. GM expects to build the car in Detroit, Michigan.
Intercontinental Flight Demonstrates Fuel-Saving Technologies
A recent commercial flight from Auckland, New Zealand, to San Francisco, California, demonstrated the fuel savings possible if airports ran the way airlines would like them to: without any delays on takeoff and landing. The flight also demonstrated a number of fuel-saving techniques.
National Solar Tour Comes to All But Four States in October
More than 5,000 solar homes, businesses, and schools in 46 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, will open their doors to the public for the National Solar Tour, which nominally takes place on October 4. But the tour still needs organizers in Idaho, Mississippi, and the Dakotas.
Report: $100 Billion Could Yield 2 Million Clean Energy Jobs
The United States could generate about 2 million new jobs and put itself on a path toward a low-carbon economy if it invests $100 billion in clean energy technologies, according to a new report. The sum is roughly equal to the money recently provided to U.S. taxpayers as economic stimulus checks.
Energy Connections
Hurricane Ike Spikes Gasoline Prices as Oil Prices Fall
Hurricane Ike destroyed 28 small oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, but it's greater energy impact appears to be the loss of power to Gulf Coast refineries. With the continued disruptions to fuel supplies, gasoline prices have soared since the hurricane hit.
