Greenhouse gases

November 17, 2009 -- Today, President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao announced a far-reaching package of measures to strengthen cooperation between the United States and China on clean energy. Attached are six fact sheets on the U.S-China clean energy announcements.    » read more »

Federally-funded project part of long-range lab modernization plan

ARGONNE, IL (November 17, 2009) – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is providing $8 million to Argonne National Laboratory for detailed design work for a new, world-class energy research facility. This is the first step in beginning work on what is expected to be a $95 million construction project.

The Energy Sciences Building (ESB) will provide an environment that will accelerate the pace of discovery by bringing together interdisciplinary teams of researchers in a space that can be adjusted to accommodate an evolving energy-related science agenda. Construction is scheduled to begin during fiscal year 2011.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today escorted executives from Statoil around the State as part of a visit of officials from the Norwegian company. Statoil is working with the University of Maine on potential offshore wind power development.

Company officials, including the head of Statoil’s wind power business development, came to Maine to see firsthand the existing capacity and infrastructure, interest and commitment of the State and private partners to develop wind power off Maine’s coast. The tour showcased the Cianbro Eastern Manufacturing Facility in Brewer, the Fox Islands Community Wind Project on Vinalhaven, Brunswick Naval Air Station and Bath Iron Works.    » read more »

Enticed by New Renewable Energy Tax Incentive

November 16, 2009 -- PHOENIX – Four months after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed Arizona’s new Renewable Energy Tax Incentive into law, she today announced one of the world’s largest solar cell manufacturers will locate its United States headquarters in Arizona and create jobs for Arizonans. China-based Suntech Power Holdings is a multi-billion dollar corporation that makes photovoltaic solar cells and solar electric systems.    » read more »

North Haven resident Chellie Pingree says Maine project is “example” for the nation

November 17, 2009 -- Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined Governor John Baldacci, House Speaker Hannah Pingree and others to cut the ribbon on the Fox Islands Wind Project in Vinalhaven today. Pingree, a resident of nearby North Haven Island, said the wind turbines will serve as an example for the rest of the country.

“This project is a perfect example of what we can do across this country,” Pingree said. “Instead of paying some of the highest electric rates in the country to buy power generated in part by oil we’ve had to import from overseas, our communities will produce their own electricity right here at home. It’s a home-grown solution to our energy needs.”    » read more »

VINALHAVEN, Maine--Tuesday, November 17, 2009-- Harnessing Maine’s strong ocean winds, three wind turbines supplied by GE (NYSE: GE) now are producing power for the residents of Vinalhaven and North Haven, two year-round communities that comprise the Fox Islands located in Penobscot Bay in mid-coast Maine.

The wind facility, which has three GE 1.5-megawatt machines on site, was dedicated today as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the project developer, Fox Islands Wind, LLC. On average, the project is expected to generate approximately 11,600 megawatt hours of electricity per year, supplying the island’s communities with year-round cleaner, more affordable power.    » read more »

New EPA Web Site Provides Tools to Cut Energy Costs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Homes

11/16/2009 -- WASHINGTON – Home owners, buyers and renters have a new resource for going green indoors and outdoors. EPA’s new Green Homes Web site will help people make their homes greener with tips on reducing energy consumption, carbon footprints, waste generation and water usage, as well as improving indoor air quality.

The latest federal survey of American housing (2007) reported 128 million housing units across the U.S., accounting for nearly 54 percent of national energy use and nearly 31 percent of all U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, the most common greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- Beijing, China - Today, President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao announced a far-reaching package of measures to strengthen cooperation between the United States and China on clean energy. Please see the attached fact sheets for additional details on each of the U.S-China clean energy announcements.    » read more »

Climate Treaty Plans to Slow Heat-Trapping Emissions from Tropical Deforestation Must Include Rules to Protect Biodiversity, Top Scientists Conclude

WASHINGTON (November 16, 2009) – In a paper published today in the scientific journal Current Biology, an international group of leading conservation scientists conclude that plans to reduce heat-trapping emissions from tropical forests must include provisions to protect plants and animals from extinction.    » read more »

Midland, MI - November 16, 2009 -- The Dow Chemical Company's (NYSE:DOW) DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle, a flexible photovoltaic solar cell packaged in the form of a roofing shingle that can be easily integrated with standard asphalt shingle materials, has been named one of "The 50 Best Inventions of 2009" by TIME magazine.    » read more »

EPA international clean energy partnership program grants funding to 11 countries

11/12/2009 -- WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is supporting the international Methane to Markets Partnership (M2M) by funding 21 new projects that will help 11 countries capture and use methane emissions from landfill, coal, agriculture, oil and natural gas operations. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, traps over 20 times more heat than carbon dioxide, making it a significant contributor to climate change.    » read more »

“This Year is the Most Recent Example of What Is Expected to Continue: A Trend Toward Delayed Freeze-Up.”

November 12, 2009 -- Seasonal Arctic sea-ice recovery has been slower than many hoped this fall, erasing modest gains achieved during the relatively cooler summer. Daily observations of sea-ice extent this November are currently below the levels for corresponding dates from November 2007, when record lows were observed. November 2007 sea-ice extent was 11 percent below the long-term average. The next few weeks will be critical for building up enough new ice to avoid setting a new record low for November.    » read more »

November 12, 2009 -- Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), will tour the DMI Industries wind turbine tower manufacturing facility in West Fargo, ND today and participate in a roundtable discussion with North Dakota government officials and industry executives. Bode’s visit will highlight the manufacturing jobs that wind power development creates and the need for comprehensive policy including a strong national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) to ramp up this development and build up a strong manufacturing base.

An RES requires that a growing share of the nation’s electricity be generated from renewable sources.    » read more »

Set to reach 12% of EU’s electricity by 2020

Brussels, 16 November 2009 -- The Thin Film industry is more than ever ready to contribute to the 12% target set by EPIA in its recent SET For 2020 study. This was confirmed by the 260 participants of EPIA’s 2nd International Thin Film Conference that took place on 12 November 2009 in Munich.    » read more »

Nov. 12, 2009 -- Harrisburg – More than $23 million was approved this week for 36 new solar and other alternative and clean energy projects that will help maintain Pennsylvania’s status as a national leader in the drive to create a green economy, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said.

“From a geothermal energy system for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Erie; to a new high-energy-performance, mixed-use building in Lancaster, these are the kinds of investments that are crucial if we are to continue developing clean energy resources and enhancing our reputation as a leader in the field,” Governor Rendell said. “I’m committed to supporting growth and innovation that promotes energy conservation and efficiency, a cleaner environment, and a stronger green economy.”    » read more »