June 25, 2008
New Biodiesel Standard Allows Automaker Approval of 20% Blends
Newly approved standards for diesel fuel blends containing 20% biodiesel will open the door for automakers to approve the use of such blends in their diesel vehicles, according to a trade group. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission has set new rules for labeling biodiesel fuel pumps. More
June 24, 2008
EERE and FEMA Resources for Victims of Midwest Floods
EERE and FEMA resources are available to victims of the Midwest floods to assist with recovery and rebuilding. More
June 18, 2008
More Studies Say Biofuels Have a Minor Impact on Food Costs
A new report from New Energy Finance concludes that biofuels are responsible for only a small fraction of the recent rise in food prices, a conclusion supported by recent documents and testimony from DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More
June 18, 2008
San Francisco Launches Nation's Largest Municipal Solar Incentive
A bill approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on June 10 will lead to the largest municipal solar incentive program in the United States. The 10-year program will offer incentive payments of up to $6,000 for residences and up to $10,000 for businesses that install solar power systems. More
June 18, 2008
Chrysler to Begin Delivering Hybrid SUVs in August
Chrysler will start selling its first Hybrid SUVs this August. The 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid and the 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid can achieve fuel economies of up to 20 miles per gallon, a 25% improvement over the non-hybrid models. More
June 11, 2008
GM Shifts Away from Trucks and SUVs, Toward Cars and Crossovers
The high price of gasoline is causing a major shift in vehicle preferences for U.S. consumers, a shift that General Motors Corporation (GM) believes to be permanent. In response, the company is making major changes to its production plans, while continuing to rush its plug-in hybrid into production. More
June 11, 2008
EIA: Gasoline Prices to Peak at $4.15 per Gallon in August
DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) has again upped its projections for energy prices and has pushed the projected peak in gasoline prices off until August. Facing disappointing oil production figures, the EIA no longer expects oil prices to fall next year. More
June 4, 2008
Juneau, Alaska, Cuts Electricity Use Drastically During Crisis
Several avalanches cut off the supply of hydropower to Juneau, Alaska, in mid-April, forcing the use of diesel generators that raised power costs fivefold. In response, the city cut both its peak power demand and its average electricity use by 40%. More
May 28, 2008
Americans Driving Less, Says Federal Highway Administration
High fuel prices caused vehicle travel on U.S. public roads to drop precipitously in March, a trend that the Federal Highway Administration hasn't seen since 1979. Lower travel miles mean less greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, but the trend also threatens the Highway Trust Fund. More
May 28, 2008
Honda to Launch Three New Hybrids and Lease Fuel Cell Vehicles
Honda is planning to launch a new hybrid vehicle in early 2009 that will resemble the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle in its styling. The company is also preparing to offer a Fit Hybrid and a small sports car hybrid in the future, but for now it is gearing up to lease the FCX Clarity in Southern California. More