EERE Network News

• EPA Encourages the Use of Biofuels to Transport Freight - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is challenging its 481 SmartWay Transport partners to use biofuels. EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership focuses on energy efficiency and emissions reductions in the freight industry, and the new effort is called SmartWay Grow & Go.
  
  
• DOE Offers $17 Million for New Cellulose-Fermenting Organisms - A new DOE effort focuses on the yeasts and bacteria needed to convert cellulosic biomass—such as grasses, wood chips, and agricultural residues—into ethanol. DOE expects to provide $17 million for the effort this fiscal year. Letters of intent for the project are due by November 16th.
  
  
• Partnerships Indicate Growing Interest in Cellulosic Ethanol - For tough technical problems, teamwork is key. Among the entities recently teaming up to solve the problem of converting cellulosic biomass into ethanol are DuPont, Chevron, UC Davis, DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, biofuels producers, and enzyme producers.
  
  
• U.S. Wind Power Industry Tempers its 2006 Forecast Slightly - The U.S. wind energy industry will likely set a record for wind power installations this year with 2,750 megawatts of new installed wind power capacity. That's down a bit from earlier projections, but just wait until next year, when up to 3,500 megawatts may be built.
  
  
• Oil Companies Increase Investment in Canadian Oil Sands - Oil companies such as EnCana Corporation, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron are intending to dramatically increase the production of heavy oil from Canadian oil sands within the next decade. The industry is projected to be the main contributor to growth in Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.