EERE Network News
September 29, 2010
News and Events
DOE Announces Dates for the Solar Decathlon 2011
In less than one year, the National Mall in Washington, D.C., will bustle with activity as 20 student teams prepare their solar homes for DOE's fifth Solar Decathlon. The opening ceremony will be held on September 22, 2011, and the event will open to the public the following day.
National Solar Tour Comes to All 50 States This Year
While the Solar Decathlon is still a year away, the National Solar Tour is now offering open-house tours of solar-powered homes, businesses, and public agencies. This year, local tours are available in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Jalisco, Mexico.
DOE Announces Winners of the Lighting for Tomorrow 2010 Competition
DOE, the American Lighting Association, and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency have announced the winners of the Lighting for Tomorrow competition. The annual competition recognizes the best-designed energy-efficient lighting products for homes.
DOE Proposes Higher Efficiency Standards for Refrigerators
DOE is proposing a new energy efficiency standard for residential refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers that would decrease the energy use of these appliances by 20%-25% when it takes effect in January 2014. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed standard until November 26.
DOE Acts to Stop Sales of Inefficient Air Conditioners
DOE has taken action to stop Air-Con, International, from selling certain air conditioning systems in the United States because they violate the minimum federal energy efficiency standards for appliances.
DOE Awards More Than $30 Million for Electric Grid Cybersecurity
DOE has announced it will invest more than $30 million in projects designed to tackle cybersecurity issues challenging the U.S. electric grid, including Smart Grid technologies. The projects include a public-private organization to assess cyber threats to the grid.
Energy Connections
Study: Early Equipment Retirements Not Needed to Avoid Severe Climate Change
Today's power plants and vehicles can live out their expected useful lifetimes without driving carbon dioxide levels beyond those considered to cause severe climate change, according to a new study. However, the authors also warn that the world needs to shift quickly to low-carbon energy sources.
