EERE's newsletter, the EERE Network News, covers national and international energy efficiency and renewable energy news and events, as well as new EERE Web sites and energy facts. en-us http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/ energy efficiency renewable energy solar wind biomass hydrogen geothermal The new International Partnership for Energy Development in Island Nations will further the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in island nations and territories. The United States and New Zealand launched the partnership and will invite island nations to join. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11893 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11893 DOE launched the EnergySmart Hospitals initiative on July 23, with the aim to increase the use of energy efficiency technologies in hospitals across the United States by providing design strategies, advanced energy design guides, technology assessments, case studies, training sessions, and an interactive Web site to help hospitals increase their energy efficiency. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11892 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11892 DOE national laboratories and other facilities were lauded with 30 R&D 100 Awards, and nine of those were in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Five national labs won awards for their work in solar cells, biofuel production, lithium batteries, appliance controllers, and other technologies. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11887 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11887 Large solar power facilities are planned for locations throughout the country, including solar thermal power plants in California, New Mexico, and Florida, and megawatt-scale solar photovoltaic power projects in Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11884 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11884 A new $500 million fund in Pennsylvania will offer a wide range of grants, loans, and rebates to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in the state, while additional programs will provide $100 million in incentives plus $50 million in tax credits over the next 8 years. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11888 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11888 The Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved a plan to build transmission lines that will deliver up to 18,456 megawatts of wind power to metropolitan areas of the state. The $4.93 billion transmission system upgrade will be in service in about 4 or 5 years. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11886 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11886 The California Building Standards Commission has adopted the nation's first statewide green building code. The code encourages builders to reduce the energy use of their structures and employ onsite renewable energy production, but the standards are only voluntary for now. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11889 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11889 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will award $6.9 million in loans and grants for 27 renewable energy systems and energy efficiency projects at farms and rural small businesses across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Vermont, and Wisconsin. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11885 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11885 La Niña conditions depressed sea surface temperatures for much of the first half of 2008, but despite that effect, the year currently ranks as the ninth warmest on record. With La Niña now history, warmer ocean temperatures are expected for the second half of the year. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11890 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11890