EREN Network News

October 11, 2000

News and Events

• Polaroid to Cut Greenhouse Emissions using Clean Energy
• DOE Expands Energy Efficiency Outreach to Consumers
• DOE Proposes New Energy Efficiency Standards for Washers
• Car Powered by Zinc-Air Fuel Cell Achieves Record Run
• Wind Energy Advances in Wyoming, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Tennessee
• California Bills Help ZEVs, Other Clean Energy Options

• Solar City

• Energy Costs to Rise for U.S. Consumers this Winter
• Use a Home Energy Audit to Choose Energy Saving Projects

News and Events

Polaroid to Cut Greenhouse Emissions using Clean Energy
Polaroid Corporation announced yesterday that it has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent (compared to 1994 levels) by 2005, and an additional 5 percent by 2010. Polaroid will achieve its goals through energy efficiency practices combined with efforts to use less carbon-intensive forms of power. These measures include renovating or replacing heating and cooling systems and industrial boilers, replacing old factory motors with more efficient models, installing high-efficiency lighting and energy management systems, purchasing power from renewable energy sources, and switching to cleaner fuels for onsite power generation. The goals were announced as part of the company's agreement with the World Wildlife Fund's Climate Savers Program. The emission reductions will be equivalent to removing more than 12,000 cars from the road. See the press release on the World Wildlife Fund Web site.

DOE Expands Energy Efficiency Outreach to Consumers
DOE announced last week that it is expanding its efforts to help consumers save energy and money through the use of energy efficient products in the home. While working to tighten the standards for energy efficiency of appliances, DOE is also making its "Energy Savers" booklet available in either English or Spanish. DOE also noted that the establishment of a Northeast Heating Oil Reserve and the release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve will help to hold down energy costs this winter. See the DOE press release.

To order copies of the Energy Savers booklet, or to view the online version of Energy Savers, see the Web site on EREN.

October is Energy Awareness Month, and DOE's outreach efforts are helping to increase U.S. energy awareness. For a calendar of DOE events planned for Energy Awareness Month, see the "Clean Energy for the 21st Century" Web site on EREN.

DOE Proposes New Energy Efficiency Standards for Washers
In keeping with its efforts to help consumers save energy, DOE last week proposed new energy efficiency standards for residential clothes washers. The new standards will reduce energy use by 22 percent for washers sold in 2004. Starting in 2007, washers must use 35 percent less energy than today's typical washers. Some washers sold today already meet the 2007 standard.

DOE estimates that over a 25-year period, the proposed standards will cut water use by 10.5 trillion gallons and save enough energy to light 16 million homes. DOE expects to issue the final rule on the washer standards by January 2001. See the DOE press release.

Car Powered by Zinc-Air Fuel Cell Achieves Record Run
EVonyx, Inc. last week broke the record distance for a fuel- cell-powered vehicle, driving its "EVictory" electric car a full 217 miles without recharging or refueling. The company used a Honda Insight in which the hybrid gasoline and electric components were removed and replaced with a zinc- air fuel cell and an electric drive motor. The car was meant to go 600 miles on the trip, but a controller problem and an electrolyte leak ended the trip prematurely, yet still at a record distance. See the EVonyx press releases.

Wind Energy Advances in Wyoming, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Tennessee
With wind energy projects planned or under construction throughout the country, announcements have been rolling out from utilities, wind developers, and other organizations. SeaWest WindPower, Inc. announced yesterday that its 16.8-megawatt Foote Creek IV wind facility in Wyoming began commercial operation. The facility will supply DOE's Bonneville Power Administration with enough power for 10,500 homes. See the SeaWest press release.

In South Dakota, the East River Electric Power Cooperative (EREPC) announced last month that it will be the first utility to develop large-scale wind power in that state. EREPC will break ground this fall on a new wind site on the bluffs of the Missouri River, just north of Chamberlain. Operation should begin in spring of 2001. See the EREPC press release.

In West Virginia, Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation has announced its intention to build a 75-megawatt wind farm along the ridge of Backbone Mountain in Tucker County. The company plans for commercial operation in the summer of 2001. See the Atlantic Renewable Web site.

And in Tennessee, the first turbines for the Tennessee Valley Authority's "Green Power Switch" program have been installed on Buffalo Mountain near Oliver Springs. Photos are posted on the Southern Alliance for Clean Air Web site.

California Bills Help ZEVs, Other Clean Energy Options
California Governor Gray Davis signed a flurry of legislative bills in past weeks that will provide incentives for Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEVs), renewable energy, energy efficiency, and alternative transportation. On October 1st, the governor signed a bill that will provide three-year grants of $3,000 per year to Californians who buy or lease a ZEV. The bill also provides grants to reduce the cost of alternative diesel fuel. This complements legislation signed on September 29th, which will encourage pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the state.

On September 21st, the governor approved legislation that provides $1 million in grants to reduce the cost of solar energy systems, while also signing legislation to extend two programs that provide revolving loans for energy efficiency. See the September 21st, September 29th, October 1st press releases on the governor's Web site.

Site News

Solar City
Solar City is an International Energy Agency (IEA) program to assist towns, cities and city regions in fully integrating renewable energy technologies, as well as energy conservation and efficiency measures, in order to achieve globally sustainable greenhouse gas emission levels and lower reliance on fossil fuel. The Web site contains a description of the Solar City program, concept papers, conference and workshop information, conditions for participating cities, and an archive of bibliographies and visual resources.

IEA will host a Solar City workshop at the Hague in the Netherlands in late November, coinciding with the Sixth United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change. See the "Conferences" section of the Solar City Web site for more information.

For this and other recent additions to the EREN Web site, see http://www.eren.doe.gov/new/whats-new.html.

Energy Facts and Tips

Energy Costs to Rise for U.S. Consumers this Winter
DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced last week that it expects higher U.S. heating bills this coming winter. Household heating bills could run up to $240 higher than last winter's bills. The forecast is based on low inventories of heating fuels and relatively high prices for crude oil and natural gas. Last winter was also exceptionally mild, so an average winter this year will result in greater energy use for heating. The report notes that an unusually cold winter could strain the supplies of heating fuels. See the EIA press release.

Use a Home Energy Audit to Choose Energy Saving Projects
If you're considering energy efficiency improvements to your home, a home energy audit can help you choose the most effective actions. You can choose to do it yourself or hire a professional. To decide on the best approach for you, see the Home Energy Audit consumer brief on the EREN Web site.

If you choose to do the energy audit yourself, a Web-based home energy auditor is available to help. The "Home Energy Saver," produced by DOE's Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL), will help you determine the energy savings of a wide variety of energy-efficiency projects. The site is designed to let you choose the level of detail you wish to use, from a very general description of your home to detailed measurements of your walls, windows, roof, and other home features. See the "Home Energy Saver" on the LBL Web site.

About this Newsletter

To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your e-mail address, please go to the Web page http://www.eren.doe.gov/newsletter/subscribe/.

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) home page is located at http://www.eren.doe.gov/.

Please contact webmaster_eere@nrel.gov if you have questions or comments about the EREN Web site.

If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, please contact the editor.