EERE Network News
February 17, 2010
News and Events
Obama Administration Launches $130 Million Building Energy Efficiency Effort
The Obama Administration is pledging up to $130 million for a multi-agency initiative that seeks to boost regional economies while making buildings more energy efficient. The plan will create an Energy Regional Innovation Cluster that will partner with local governments and building industry experts to reduce energy use.
Sixteen Tribes Earn Bonding Authority for Renewable Energy Facilities
Sixteen tribes, located in the states of Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah, have been allocated more than $250 million in low-interest bonding authority by the U.S. Department of Treasury, of which at least a third will finance renewable energy facilities.
SMUD Receives Huge Response to its Renewable Energy Feed-in-Tariff
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), a California utility, has experienced an overwhelming response to its feed-in tariff program, which pays for customer-generated renewable energy under a long-term contract.
New Cellulosic Ethanol Facilities Sprout Up in Four States
Commercial cellulosic ethanol plants are moving ahead in Iowa and Kansas, while demonstration-scale plants are now operating in Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The new facilities will help meet the new federal Renewable Fuel Standard for cellulosic ethanol.
Global Investments in Clean Energy Fell Less than Expected in 2009
Despite a global economic downturn in 2009, market analysts found that investments in clean energy, including renewable energy sources, declined less than expected. Asian investments topped North American investments and helped to cushion the downturn.
Ocean Power Technologies Deploys a Wave Energy Device off the Hawaii Coast
Ocean Power Technologies has deployed a wave energy device offshore from a Marine Corps base in Hawaii. If this and other ocean energy trials now underway globally succeed, the ocean could yield as much as 200 gigawatts of power by 2025, according to a new report.
Energy Connections
EIA: Cold January Temperatures Affected U.S. Use of Power and Natural Gas
January 2010 was a cold month for many people in the United States, particularly in the Southeast. The need for extra power and natural gas for heating caused natural gas spot prices to soar in early January, but prices are expected to be lower for the majority of the coming year.
