Power & Utilities
New set-top box efficiency standards are expected to save more than $1B on annual consumer energy bills. On December 23, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced non-regulatory efficiency standards to improve pay-television set-top box efficiency by 10 to 45 percent by 2017. The agreement, developed in coordination with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC),…...
EIA’s latest Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projects a 56 percent increase in natural gas production by 2040, overtaking coal as the largest share of U.S. electric power generation. On December 16, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the AEO 2014 Early Release Overview presenting updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2040. The AEO…...
EPA’s annual report on average fuel economy shows that MY 2012 vehicles achieved record-high fuel economy and record-low carbon emissions. On December 12, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its annual report on average fuel economy, emissions, and powertrain technology of new U.S. personal vehicles, including passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans, pickup…...
New York State’s largest rooftop solar PV system connects to the Con Edison network through smart grid technology and computer-controlled remote monitoring. On December 9, 2013, NY State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the completion of the state’s largest rooftop solar installation under the NY-Sun initiative. The 1.56 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) system, installed at…...
New York State has won the “Deal of the Year for Small Issuer Financing” award for its innovative residential energy efficiency financing through revenue bonds. On December 6, 2013, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Environmental Facilities Corp. (EFC) announced the award of “Deal of the Year for Small Issuer…...
The 2014 Fuel Economy Guide provides fuel economy and annual fuel cost data, fuel-efficiency rating, and GHG rating for vehicles. On December 3, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the release of the 2014 Fuel Economy Guide, which provides fuel economy and annual fuel cost data to help…...
The DOE and HUD expanded the Better Buildings Challenge to include multifamily housing and launched Better Buildings Accelerators to support government-led energy efficiency efforts. On December 3, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the expansion of the Better Buildings Challenge to multifamily housing units. DOE…...
Development of clean energy and energy efficiency solutions are confronted by challenges including federal policy uncertainties jeopardizing grants and tax credits, state budget constraints, and insufficient capital markets. Several states are exploring ways to leverage public resources with innovative banking and financial mechanisms to facilitate large-scale deployment of low-carbon technologies. Overview Many federal energy subsidies…...
DOE has announced $30M to develop electrochemical technologies for low-cost distributed generation. On November 25, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $30M in funding to advance distributed power generation technologies under the Advanced Research Projects Agency –Energy’s (APRA-E) Reliable Electricity Based on Electrochemical Systems (REBELS). The REBELS project will support transformational electrochemical…...
In the previous three months, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has provided preliminary exclusion from federal regulations to 16 different hydropower projects, facilitating growth in renewable electricity generation and providing access for new hydroelectric markets. Overview President Obama signed the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 (H.R. 267) in August 2013 to facilitate hydroelectric…...
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced an award of $4.8 million for innovative advanced technology projects reducing energy consumption in buildings throughout New York State. Today’s award of $4.8 million is the second of six rounds of funding released under New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Advanced Buildings Program. NYSERDA will provide $25…...
The BLM has approved the majority of a 990-mile high-voltage transmission line in Wyoming and Idaho, facilitating a stronger Western grid with more renewable energy integration. On November 12, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced approval for eight segments of the proposed 10-segment Gateway West Transmission Line that could deliver up to 1,500…...