Posts tagged President Obama
Johnson Controls, U.S. Army Establish First Contract Following Obama’s Energy Efficiency Charge
Feb 2nd
Mark Wagner, Vice President of Government Relations at Johnson Controls, gives us an inside view into Johnson Controls working with the Army on the Fort Bliss project.
NYC Converting Landfills To Solar Plants
Apr 26th
Mayor Bloomberg Plans to Convert Landfills to Solar Plants
New York City’s Mayor Micheal Bloomberg announced plans to build solar power plants on old landfills as a part of his PlaNYC initiative. The goal of PlaNYC is to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. About 250 acres of 3,000 will be converted to solar powerhouses. When all projects are operational, the landfills will generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes. Mayor Bloomberg also outlined plans for the creation of NYC Energy Efficiency Corp., whose mission will be to fund renewable energy installations for property owners. The company will be funded using $37 million in federal stimulus money.
NPRA Responds to the President’s Oil Corruption Team
The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association quickly responded to President Obama’s intents to create a team to investigate corruption in the oil market and his call to bring oil and gas subsidies to an end. NPRA President Charles Drevna took a staunchly opposing view blaming the Obama administration’s policies for the high fuel prices the country’s dependence on foreign oil sources. He argued that the best way to relieve American consumers of high energy costs would be “to allow increased use of our own abundant domestic energy resources and lift burdensome environmental regulations”. President Obama, in his weekly address last week, announced that the Attorney General, along with a selected team, will look into allegations of price gauging and other corrupt measures possibly undertaken by oil companies. He also called for Americans to support his administration’s investment in renewable energies.
Hybrid Car Sales Increase
There has been a 46 percent increase in hybrid and clean diesel car sales, fueled by high gas prices and a recovering economy, in March 2011 as compared to last year, according to auto analyst firm Baum and Associates. Efficient cars now hold the same market share as “true” SUVs, at seven percent, the report said. Even used cars demonstrate greater demands for fuel-efficient cars over pickups and SUVs. The study showed that hybrids and clean diesels sold at three times the rate of the overall market compared to March 2010. Moreover, the demand for Toyota Prius models is increasing in both new and used car markets, according to the report.
Pennsylvania Energy Company Gives Back
A Pennsylvania utility launched its “Fueling Your Day with Love Campaign” to serve underprivileged children in the community. The Equitable Gas Company partnered with Pittsburgh McDonald’s restaurants to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh. The Ronald McDonald house provides temporary housing for families who have traveled in search of life-saving medical care for their children. Through Memorial Day, if customers buy 17 million ounces of drip coffee, the energy company will donate $17,000 to the charity.
BP Sponsors Research in the Gulf
A BP-sponsored research initiative in the Gulf of Mexico announced the availability of additional funding for projects that will study the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that occurred about one year ago. The spill was one of the worst in American waters and did unprecedented damage to wildlife and the environment. On May 24, 2010, BP announced $500 million over a 10-year period to create an independent research program, Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, to explore the effects of the spill. The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative is now offering $37.5 million per year to create four to eight Research Consortia to study the accident’s impact on the region
Obama Creates Team to Investigate Oil Companies
Apr 25th
Obama Forms Team to Investigate Oil Fraud
President Obama made a number of public appearances last week in the name of clean energy, stopping at ElectraTherm, a small renewable energy company in Nev., and the headquarters of Facebook. In the Nevada speech, Obama announced the creation of a team that aims to stomp out corruption at the pump. Along with the Attorney General, the team will work to expose cases of fraud and manipulation in oil markets, such as price gauging, that affect gas prices. “We’re going to make sure that nobody is taking advantage of American consumers for their own short-term gain,” Obama said to a round of applause from his audience. While ensuring that he will not cut domestic oil drilling, the President underscored his plan to reduce tax breaks for oil companies. “Instead of subsidizing yesterday’s energy sources, let’s invest in tomorrow’s,” he said, again to applause.
Indiana House Passes Energy Bill with 10% Renewables Goal
The Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill including the state’s first voluntary Clean Energy Portfolio Standard, setting a goal for 10 percent of the state’s electricity generation to come from clean energy by 2025. An amendment to the bill, proposed by Representative David Frizzell (R-Indianapolis), emphasized that at least half of the energy produced to meet the 10 percent goal would be met using energy resources within the state. The amendment passed unanimously last Tuesday, April 21. The bill awaits the Senate vote before session’s end on April 29.
Go Green with a Motorcycle
One solution to the overbearing gas prices—switch to a motorcycle. The American Motorcyclist Association encouraged drivers to spare the environment and their wallets by adopting a motorcycle. With Earth Day celebrations focused on conservation, AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman noted, “For motorcyclists, every day is Earth Day.” The average motorcycle can yield about 50 miles per gallon, allowing motorcyclists to save at the pump. Also, it is obvious that less raw materials are used in production compared to cars, with thousands of pounds of less metal and plastic per bike. They also reduce environmental harm because of their easy ability to weave through traffic and fuel efficiency.
Mall of America Converts to LEDs in Parking Lot
The Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minn., is going to replace 5,400 bulbs on its parking ramp with LED bulbs from Acuity Brands beginning this July. The project will reduce energy consumption in the parking ramps by two-thirds. The energy saved is enough to power over 11,000 homes for one year. The Department of Energy and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided a grant to aid the funding of the conversion project. Besides the LED initiative, the Mall is planning a sustainability program that is still on the drawing boards.
New Device Absorbs both Heat and Light from the Sun
Researchers at Wake Forest University have created a new polymer-based-solar-thermal device that can generate power not only from sunlight, but also from heat, a feature current solar panels do not possess. Using both resources, the creation is capable of reducing the cost of heating a home by up to 40 percent. The device uses a fluid that flows through the modules to collect heat while a solar cell produces electricity using sunlight. Tests have resulted in a 30 percent efficiency of converting solar energy to power. The average standard solar cell has an 8 percent efficiency, with the best producing no more than 17 percent. The product is still undergoing testing, but will soon be ready for the market.
Obama Vows to Side with EPA on Energy Tax Bill
Apr 11th
Obama Will not Pass Energy Tax Prevention Act
President Obama has vowed to veto the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 if it manages to pass through the Senate. The Act, already gone through the House vote, aims to curb EPA power over the Clean Air Act that allows the agency to tax carbon dioxide emissions. Proponents of the Energy Tax Prevention Act claim the EPA’s regulations cost Americans their jobs and unnecessary expenses on behalf of businesses. Those who support the EPA’s authority to tax greenhouse gas emission say it is a vital function of the Clean Air Act and such regulation is necessary to contain climate change.
GE Goes from Solar Investor to Manufacturer
GE announced the company’s intentions to build the largest solar panel factory in the United States by 2013. The factory will be capable of producing panels worth 400-MW of electricity per year. Although the factory is not yet under constructions, customers are already lined up such as NextEra Energy, who plans to buy 60-MW worth of the thin-film cadmium telluride panels. Although the panels are less efficient compared to conventional panels with an efficiency rate of 16-20 percent, they are cheaper to produce, making them attractive to developers.
Concrete Boom Pumps Headed for Japanese Nuclear Plants
Two of the world’s largest concrete boom pumps are on their way to Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant to help keep the nuclear reactors cool. The pumps departed from Los Angeles International Airport and Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport on Russian Antonov cargo jets, one of the world’s largest aircrafts. Each pump weighs approximately 190,000 pounds and can reach over 227 feet. The machines are typically used to pour concrete for bridges and high-rises and they will provide accurate reach to hotspot in the reactors. Furthermore, the pumps can operate from 1.2 miles away, keeping the operator safe from exposure. Eleven such pumps, also made by Putzmeister, were sent to contain the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
World’s First Fuel Cell Olympics this Week
The first-ever A World in Motion Fuel Cell Olympics will be held this Thursday, April 14, during the SAE International 2011 World Congress in Detroit, Michigan. Sponsored by the GM Foundation, the Fuel Cell Olympics invite student teams to compete in several events using small car models powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The technology used in the cars will be available to educators and young engineers to promote clean energy. Basically, distilled water is the source of the fuel and a reversible fuel cell electrolyzes the water to separate H2 molecules that power the electric motor. Distance, weight, accuracy and speed will all be judged during the various events.
Chu Increases Funding for SunShot
Secretary Steven Chu increased the previously announced $110 million toward the SunShot Initiative to $170 million. The project aims to reduce the cost of solar energy systems by 75 percent until it is closer to $1 per watt before 2020. Advancing energy grid integration, increasing research and development and discovering new materials for PV panels will all help lowering the costs.
President Obama Outlines Energy Goals
Mar 31st
President Obama gives a speech outlining his plan for clean energy. The California assembly passes an increased renewable energy standard. And the debate rages on about the safety of nuclear energy.
Obama Announces The Better Building Initiative
Feb 4th
President Obama announces the Better Building Initiative, a new solar and wind farm under construction in Arizona, and what tequila and biofuels have in common.
COP 16 Recap & Starbucks Store Lighting More Energy Efficient
Dec 13th
Oil Containment Cap Installed, Success Still Uncertain
Jul 16th
No more leaking oil well in the Gulf, but will it last? Oregon cuts solar tax credit, and President Obama visited a Volt battery plant.
Solar Impulse Successfully Completes 26-Hour Test Flight In Switzerland
Jul 9th
The Solar Impulse completes its first 26 hour test flight in Switzerland, President Obama visits the Green Impact Zone in Kansas City and Germany trying to become first country to generate 100% of its power from renewable energy.
Tar Balls Reach Texas & Abengoa Receives $1.45B DOE Loan For Solar Plant
Jul 7th
Tar balls spotted in Lake Pontchartrain and Galveston, Texas beaches, Abengoa Solar receives $1.45 billion loan from DOE and a new solar-powered plane model took off in Payerne, Switzerland, for its first 24-hour test flight.
Loading ...
Recent Comments