Community News

DOE Releases Renewable Energy Annual 2002

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Information Administration (EIA) has published Renewable Energy Annual 2002, which summarizes renewable energy use in the United States in 2002. U.S. renewable energy use rose 11 percent in 2002, according to the report, primarily due to increased production of hydropower. Some other highlights include:

·  Wind power increased by 56 percent.

·  The shipment of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules increased by 15 percent in 2002, to a total peak capacity of 112.1 megawatts.

·  The average price of PV cells decreased 14 percent, to $2.12 per watt

·  The cost of PV modules increased 9 percent, to $3.74 per watt.

·  Geothermal heat pump shipments increased 4 percent between 2000 and 2002, but more of the units were smaller heat pumps for homes.

To find out more, visit www.eia.doe.gov.

DOE Reports Greenhouse Gases Increased 0.5 Percent in 2002

DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced in its recently released Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2002 report that U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases increased only 0.5 percent in 2002, despite a 1.0 percent increase in energy use. Although total carbon dioxide emissions—mostly due to energy use—increased by 0.8 percent, they were offset by decreases in methane and nitrous oxide emissions, according to EIA. For more information, visit www.eia.doe.gov.

Habitat for Humanity Home Earns EPA New Millennium Builder Award

Last month, an energy efficient home, built in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the Energy Star New Millennium Builder Award for 2003. This award recognizes Habitat for Humanity for its commitment to energy-efficient building practices in metro Denver.

Habitat for Humanity received the Energy Star New Millennium Builder Award for the home it constructed in Westminster, Colo. The 1,425-square-foot home received the highest rating, 95.9 on the E-Star scale. The Energy Star standard is measured through E-Star's rating system, which scores homes on a scale of 0-to-100, with a higher score indicating a more efficient home. A home must score a minimum of 86 points on the E-Star scale to be designated an Energy Star home. For more information, visit www.nrel.gov.

Public Meetings Held To Discuss Development of Wind Power on BLM Land

The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) held public meetings this month in five western states to gain input on the development of wind energy on lands administered by the DOI's Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The meetings took place in Sacramento, Calif.; Salt Lake City; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Las Vegas; and Boise, Idaho. This is the first step in the development of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), which the BLM announced in a Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register.

The PEIS will evaluate the possible amendment of BLM land use plans in considering the potential future development of wind energy resources in BLM lands in the western region. Preparation of the PEIS is a multi-step process that will take two years to complete and will include publication of a draft PEIS, a final PEIS and a Record of Decision. For more information, visit www.doi.gov.

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