EERE Network News

October 01, 2008

News and Events

DOE Awards $15 Million to 21 Companies for Efficient Buildings

DOE has selected 21 companies to receive $15 million as part of the first phase of awards for the Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative. The companies will work with DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to design a new energy-efficient prototype building.

DOE to Invest $17.6 Million in Six Early-Stage Photovoltaic Projects

DOE will invest up to $17.6 million in six early-stage photovoltaic (PV) projects under the Solar America Initiative's "PV Incubator" project, which funds prototype PV components and systems with the goal of moving them through the commercialization process by 2010.

Clean Cities' Odyssey Day Celebrates Success in Alternative Fuel Vehicles

DOE launched the 2008 kickoff of the Clean Cities National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, marking the first of more than 80 events that will promote petroleum-free choices in transportation in over 60 locations across the nation.

Deepwater Wind to Build Rhode Island Off-Shore Wind Plant

Deepwater Wind will construct an off-shore wind energy project that is expected to provide 15% of Rhode Island's annual electricity needs. The company is also building a manufacturing plant that could create up to 800 jobs in the state.

GM to Produce New Efficient Engines in Flint, Michigan

GM will build a new manufacturing plant in Flint, Michigan, that will produce 4-cylinder engines for the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid, and Chevrolet Cruze, a compact car with a turbo engine. Both vehicles are expected in 2010.

First U.S. Auction of CO2 Allowances Brings in $38.5 Million

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative raised almost $40 million in its first auction of carbon dioxide emission allowances. The six states that offered the allowances will invest the proceeds in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, as well as programs to benefit consumers.

Energy Connections

Gulf Coast Energy Recovery Makes Major Headway

Operators are reboarding many of the offshore oil and gas production platforms that were evacuated after Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, and many refineries and natural gas processing plants are also coming back online.