Energy Literacy Advocates (ELA) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public education organization working to improve the energy literacy of all sectors of our democracy.

Clunkers Program Runnning Out of Cash

The "cash for clunkers" program, officially labeled as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), has almost run through available funds after only a week. The program was originally scheduled to run to November 1, 2009.

Several proposals, including reallocating energy program money already approved in the federal stimulus bill, are currently under consideration in the House.

The program created a jump in car sales, with dealers like AutoNation reporting a 36% rise in sales. Many dealers and buyers are waiting to see how the government resolves the funding situation.

To read more, click here.

Labels: automakers, cash for clunkers, u.s. energy policy

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:35 AM 1 comments

New Federal Loans Released for Renewable Energy

To continue bolstering renewable energy and modernization of America's electrical grid, the Department of Energy has opened $36 billion for loan guarantees.

Of the $36 billion, $2 billion is specifically aimed at biofuels and $6 billion at revamping the electrical grid. The rest is aimed at promoting general renewable energy projects.

Recepients of federal loan guarantees are insured against the failure of the project, and are helped with some initial subsidy costs.

For more information, click here.

Labels: biofuels, energy sources, renewables, u.s. energy policy

posted by Amanda Voss at 11:51 AM 0 comments

Oil Values Fall as Stockpiles Surge

posted by Amanda Voss at 11:44 AM 0 comments

Placing Limits on Energy Speculation? Government to Consider It

Placing limits on speculative energy trading may be in the near future for the government. This speculative trading, blamed for part of the market and price fluctuations in energy commodities like oil, could see caps imposed on energy futures contracts.

Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Gary Gensler said that new authority could be used to limit the size of positions taken by speculative traders.

While futures prices are supposed to limit price volatility, the speculation surround them on the stock market is blamed for increasing price swings.

For more, click here.

Labels: economy, gas prices, oil prices, u.s. energy policy

posted by Amanda Voss at 12:01 PM 0 comments

Developments in Alternative Energy: Harnessing the Power of the Sea

With demand quickly outpacing capacity in Florida, researchers are turning to the ocean for potential energy generation.

Scientists are evaluating sea turbines and their ability to harness the Gulf current. Some predictions for the efficacy of turbines foresee the ocean supplying one-third of Florida's power needs.

The concept is similar to electricity generation via wind turbines on land.

To read more, click here.

Labels: energy, energy sources, renewables

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:40 AM 0 comments

Hydrogen Cars May See Renewed Funding

A vote by the House of Representatives and the Senate Appropriations Committee may overrule Energy Secretary Steven Chu's decision to cut $100 million in funding for hydrogen car research.

Approving $153 million and $190 million, respectively for the research, Congress indicated confidence in the technology. In May, Energy Secretary Chu cut funding for the program citing that the technology may not reach the market within 15 years.

Japan and Germany continue to fund their hydrogen cell vehicle programs. Japan's investment bore results this week, with Toyota's announcement of an affordable mass production hydrogen vehicle available by 2015.

Labels: energy sources, renewables, u.s. energy policy

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:26 AM 0 comments

Audit Finds Energy Department is Wasting Energy

As the President and Congress continue to push energy efficiency forward as policy, a government audit found that the Energy Department itself is wasting energy.

The Department's four main campuses are not realizing potential energy gains, like consuming less energy during non-business hours, and are wasting roughly $11.5 million in costs.

The report cited the Department for failing to lead the country in energy saving measures and efficiency standards. The report overall reported similar results from the previous two audits done on DOE buildings.

To read more, click here.

Labels: efficiency, energy, u.s. energy policy

posted by Amanda Voss at 1:47 PM 0 comments

Some Big Oil Companies to Experiment with Biofuels

While Exxon-Mobil's announcement last week of a $600 million investment in biofuels may be the most dramatic, many "big oil" companies are starting to turn toward alternative fuels.

U.S. based Valero Energy began the year by purchasing seven ethanol plants. Shell is partnering with Prometheus Energy to convert waste methane into natural gas. Conoco opened an ethanol blending plant in Kansas this year, and is reportedly planning on opening a biofuels plant.

The recession and falling prices have meant good deals are up for grabs on purchasing renewable energy assets, and have driven much of the big oil investment in alternative energy. Oil companies are also investing now to meet future renewable energy requirements.

Going against the trend is oil giant British Petroleum (BP), which shut down a majority of its alternative energy budget in June.

To read more, click here.

Labels: biofuels, energy sources, oil companies, renewables

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:26 AM 0 comments

Government Funding Structure Hobbles Investment in Renewables

posted by Amanda Voss at 7:58 AM 0 comments

In Search for Alternative Fuels, New Coal Gasification Plant Emerges

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:08 AM 0 comments

New Study Evaluates Most Sustainable Renewables

Geothermal and wind energy rank first and second in efficiency among renewable energy sources, according to a report by New York University's Stern School of Business.

The report measured various energy sources, government research and development investment and technological improvement. Both geothermal and wind energy returned high gains per dollar invested in development, and outpaced the potential of solar power.

The report also found that fossil fuels have likely reached their performance limits, and are no longer improving in terms of effiency.

In evaluating trajectory performance, the NYU report concluded that geothermal energy can outperform and cost less than fossil fuels.

To access the full report, click here.

Labels: efficiency, energy sources, renewables

posted by Amanda Voss at 12:00 PM 0 comments

Investment Announcement Signals Shift for "Big Oil"

Over the past month, Exxon Mobil Corporation has made massive investments in electric cars, algae-based biofuels and unconventional natural gas. This abrupt shift in strategy signals to some a pervasive shift in viewpoint among oil companies.

Exxon has put an initial $5oo,ooo into electric car development, as well as $600 million into generating biofuels from algae.

While Exxon's recent investments were classified as studied moves by the company, industry experts view this as giving alternative energy a much-needed boost.

For the full article, click here.

Labels: energy, energy sources, oil companies, renewables

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:55 AM 0 comments

Energy Secretary Urges China to Cooperate in Climate Efforts

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu warned China that it's cooperation in slowing emissions is vital to stemming climate change and global warming.

China surpassed the US two years ago in greenhouse gas emissions.

US officials urged further cooperation between China and the US in consuming energy with efficiency and developing new technologies.

To read the full article, click here.

Labels: climate change, efficiency, energy, global warming

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:15 AM 0 comments

Clean Energy Debate Exposes Regional Divides

As the Obama administration and Congress continue to sponsor clean energy initiatives, regional divides are surfacing in Congress.

Most of the promising sites for wind generated electricity are located in the Midwest, away from populous East Coast cities. This necessitates building new transmission lines to the East, as supported by Midwest representatives, or locating more and smaller wind farms in the East, negating the need for cross-country transmission.

While windfarms located in the rural midwest are able to produce more electricity, a decision to locate farms in the "wind corridor" also means new green jobs will be taken away from the East Coast, according to eastern regional representatives.

This debate highlights the current divisions in renewable energy policy, which is balancing economics, environmental and regional demands.

For more, click here.

Labels: efficiency, energy, energy sources

posted by Amanda Voss at 10:08 AM 0 comments

Prices Drop, Stockpiles Up for Oil

posted by Amanda Voss at 11:55 AM 0 comments

Congress Contemplates Support for CNG Vehicles

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) yesterday introduced legislation to offer as much as $12,500 in credits to purchasers of compressed natural gas (CNG) passenger vehicles, as part of a wider plan to sponsor low emission vehicle technologies.

The bill also included a $64,000 potential credit for the introduction of CNG transport to commercial fleets.

The House also has a similar bill, introduced earlier this year.

The principal manufacturer of CNG cars in the US is Honda, whose Civic GX, which debuted in 2005 for consumer purchase, is made in Indiana.

To read more, click here.

Labels: automakers, energy sources, u.s. energy policy

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:03 AM 0 comments

Nuclear Included in New Energy Profile

Obama administration officials endorsed the revival of America's nuclear industry during hearings on the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The acceptance of expanded nuclear use was seen as key to gaining Republican and "Rust Belt" Democratic support for the energy bill.

Proposals include opening up to 100 new nuclear plants by 2030.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu openly supported nuclear technology, citing it as key to reaching a low carbon future.

To read more, click here.

Labels: energy, energy sources, environment, u.s. energy policy

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:12 AM 0 comments

Plans for World's Largest Wind Farm Halted

According to the New York Times, oilman and energy developer T. Boone Pickens is stopping plans to develop the world's largest wind farm, located in the Texas Panhandle. Pickens drew national attention to alternative energy by popularizing his "Pickens Plan."

Pickens cited lack of necessary transmission lines as the primary cause in halting the project. Other factors include the falling price of natural gas and the lack of available investment funds due to economic turmoil.

Pickens has substituted the Panhandle farm with plans to build three or four smaller wind farms in the near term, at a cost of $2 billion.

To read the full article, click here.

Labels: energy sources, renewables

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:32 AM 0 comments

Climate Change Hearings Take Center Stage for Democrats

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) kicked off a week of high-level climate change hearings for Senate Democrats today. The opening panel included Energy Secretary Steven Chu, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

The hearings are in relation to House Bill 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act 2009.

Additionally, the hearings are part of the Senate version of climate change legislation, which they hope to vote on by the fall. The bill will be built out of House Bill 2454, and is expected to include the controversial cap and trade legislation.

To read more on the Senate proceedings, click here.

Labels: climate change, global warming, u.s. energy policy

posted by Amanda Voss at 8:20 AM 0 comments

Cash for Clunkers - Opportunity Lost Part II

posted by Jamie Lang at 12:06 PM 0 comments

Oil Prices Reveal Mixed Data

As oil prices have risen to new highs for 2009, above $70 a barrel, Energy Information Administration data also revealed that stockpiles are growing.

Prices rose due to attacks at Nigerian oil facilities. At the same time, U.S. petroleum stockpiles grew by 2.1 million barrels.

Oil prices continue to mirror economic and political uncertainties worldwide.

For a more in depth study on oil prices and oil data in The Wall Street Journal, click here.

Labels: oil companies, oil price, oil supply/demand

posted by Amanda Voss at 9:09 AM 0 comments