Partisan fighting over the Solyndra bankruptcy remains at fever pitch in political circles, with Republicans blaming the Obama Administration for the loss of a government loan of $535 million, and Democrats retorting that the failed solar company was the exception in an otherwise strong renewable energy portfolio.
Tags: · DOE, Green Homes, greenrightnow.com, Secretary Chu, Solar Decathlon 2011, solar homes, university competition, University of Maryland, winning team
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy have released the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide, providing consumers with information about estimated mileage and fuel costs for model year 2011 vehicles. Overall, the best fuel economy performers are hybrids, but the 2011 fuel economy leader list also includes fuel efficient clean diesels as well as gasoline models.
Tags: · DOE, EPA, green cars, greenrightnow.com
Coal-fired power plant (Photo: Braen Gunem/Dreamstime.)
Sitting in a heap atop the list of climate offenders is coal. Coal-burning power plants are the single biggest source of carbon emissions worldwide and their smokestacks spew sulfur and nitrogen dioxide, as well, contributing to the stew of greenhouse gases that are heating the Earth’s atmosphere.
Despite the growth of renewable energy sources, coal remains the single largest provider of energy for America, at 45 percent. And its toxic footprint doesn’t end with air pollution. The industry’s waste, leftover ash, is laced with metal oxides.
Tags: · Carbon Emissions, clothes dryers, coal, coal electricity, coal industry, coal pollution, coal production, coal-fired electricity, coal-fired power, DOE, energy savings, Energy Star appliances, EPA, green power, home energy savings, hot water heaters, refrigerators
Following criticism that it was too easy for manufacturers to get an Energy Star label, and that some appliances had slipped through the system with less-than promised energy savings, the EPA today announced that it was tightening the Energy Star product certification process. The changes aim to ensure that only products that truly meet the Energy Star label requirements will receive the federal endorsement.
Tags: · DOE, Energy Star, Energy Star audit, Energy Star certification, Energy Star tightens guidelines, EPA
From Green Right Now reports
If you are sitting through an ice storm or watching frigid weather roll your way, the government has a new place to browse online — one hopes by a cozy fire.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) just launched a web site to help Americans discover inexpensive, easy-to-do-fixes, as well as learn long-term strategies for improving their home energy efficiency and lowering energy costs. The site includes financial information links, downloadable resources for consumers and an energy savers blog to share ideas and concerns with others.
Tags: · DOE, Energy saving, Home Energy, Tips
Barbara Kessler
Andrew Winston
Danielle Nierenberg
Anthony Swift