EERE Network News
March 24, 2010
News and Events
DOE Cites Recovery Act Benefits for Small Clean Energy Businesses
DOE has released a new report demonstrating that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and related programs have helped boost small businesses in the clean energy industry with $5.4 billion in grants so far. Companies involved in wind and solar power, biofuels, and energy efficiency are among the recipients.
DOE and EPA Announce New Steps to Strengthen the Energy Star Program
DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have outlined a series of steps to strengthen the Energy Star program by expanding testing and enforcement proceedings for the energy efficiency appliance program.
Building Industry Groups Launch the International Green Construction Code
Leading U.S. building industry groups have launched the International Green Construction Code, a model regulatory framework for the construction of high-performance commercial buildings. The code could be adopted by states and local governments in the United States and by governments throughout the world.
Companies Rolling Out Innovations in Electric Vehicle Charging
Ahead of the expected U.S. rollout of a number of electric vehicles this year, companies are offering innovative technologies designed to charge the vehicles, including a system linking vehicles to the Smart Grid, a plug-free charging system, and an iPhone App to find linked stations.
Colorado Boosts its Renewable Energy Requirement to 30% by 2020
Colorado has increased its renewable energy standard for utilities to 30% by 2020, up from the previous 20% target set in 2007. The new legislation also requires utilities to draw on distributed sources of renewable energy for 3% of their retail electric sales by 2020.
Energy Connections
Report: Chinese Policies Could Hurt U.S. Renewable Industries
China has enacted a number of policies that have made it one of the largest consumers of wind turbines in the world and the largest producer of solar cells. But the country has also moved to exclude foreign competition in its domestic renewable energy market, according to a new report.
