EERE Network News
June 09, 2010
News and Events
DOE Awards $29 Million for Weatherization Training Centers
Thirty-four weatherization training centers in 27 states will receive $29 million in DOE grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The energy efficiency funds will go toward expanding eight existing training centers and establishing 26 new ones.
DOE Halts Sales of Inefficient Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners
DOE has ordered Aspen Manufacturing, Inc.; Summit Manufacturing; and Advanced Distributor Products to halt the distribution of 61 models of heat pumps and one air conditioner model that do not comply with federal energy conservation standards.
Data Centers Can Now Earn the Energy Star Label
Stand-alone data centers and buildings that house large data centers can now earn the Energy Star label if they are in the top 25% of their peers in terms of energy efficiency. Those looking to earn that label should check out the best practices compiled by DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
AWEA: U.S. Market for Small Wind Turbines Gained Ground in 2009
The U.S. market for wind turbines grew by 15% in 2009, according to a new report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). That's a far slower growth than the U.S. market experienced in 2008, but given the economic situation, it's not bad, and AWEA is thanking the Recovery Act.
ZeaChem Breaks Ground on a Cellulosic Ethanol Biorefinery in Oregon
ZeaChem, Inc. hopes to start converting poplar trees into ethyl acetate in Boardman, Oregon, by the end of this year. And with the help of a $25 million grant awarded by DOE through the Recovery Act, the company will expand its biorefinery to produce cellulosic ethanol by 2011.
Energy Connections
Forecasters Predict a Very Active Atlantic Hurricane Season
Both government and university researchers are predicting a very active hurricane season in the Atlantic this year, including 3-7 major hurricanes. The storms are very likely to disrupt oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico and could complicate efforts to respond to the BP oil leak.
