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Subject: EREN NETWORK NEWS -- January 20, 1999
A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE)
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN).
<http://www.eren.doe.gov/p/locate/ContentsDirectlist-archive/>
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Featuring:
*News and Events
AIChE Supports Energy Efficiency, Renewable Research
NOAA Proclaims 1998 the Warmest Year on Record
Wind Power is the World's Fastest Growing Energy Source
CEC Funds 14 New Renewable Projects
*Site News
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Solar Initiative
"Energy Savers" Enhanced with Multimedia
*Energy Facts and Tips
Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Up on the Roof: Gauging Your Home's Insulation Levels
*About this Newsletter
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NEWS AND EVENTS
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AIChE Supports Energy Efficiency, Renewable Research
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
released a white paper in late December calling for the
federal government to pursue "an aggressive program of
research on technologies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions." The paper called for expanded research on
technologies to improve energy efficiency, utilize non-carbon
energy sources such as renewable energy, and capture and
store carbon emissions.
See the AIChE Public Policy Web site at:
<http://www.aiche.org/docs/government/position.htmst-archive/>.
NOAA Proclaims 1998 the Warmest Year on Record
Global temperatures in 1998 were the warmest on record,
according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). The global mean temperature in
1998 was 0.66 degrees C above the long-term average.
NOAA Administrator James Baker noted that El Nino
contributed to the record warmth. See the NOAA News
Online Web site at:
<http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/ernment/position.htmst-archive/>.
In related news, two scientists at the National Center for
Atmospheric Research (NCAR) reported that global warming
may be accentuating El Nino's current and future impacts.
The scientists presented the results of their research at the
American Meteorological Society annual meeting in Dallas,
Texas. The scientists theorize that much of the heat trapped
by greenhouse gases is stored in the oceans and later
released through El Ninos.
See the NCAR press release at:
<http://www.ucar.edu/publications/newsbriefs/n.htmst-archive/>.
Wind Power is the World's Fastest Growing Energy Source
The world capacity for generating power from wind grew by
2,100 megawatts in 1998, a new all-time record for growth in
wind power, according to preliminary estimates by the
Worldwatch Institute. The wind power boom was led by
Germany, which added 800 megawatts, but the United
States also added 235 megawatts in 10 states. The surge in
U.S. wind power was the largest since 1986, with large
projects built in Minnesota, Wyoming, and Oregon.
World wind power has doubled in capacity in the past three
years, making it the world's fastest growing energy source.
The world capacity for wind power reached 9,600 megawatts
at yearend.
See the Worldwatch Institute Web site at:
<http://www.worldwatch.org/ations/newsbriefs/n.htmst-archive/>.
CEC Funds 14 New Renewable Projects
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved
funding agreements for 14 renewable power plants to be
built in various California locations. The power plants will add
nearly 90 megawatts of renewable energy to California's
electricity generation mix. The projects include 62
megawatts of wind power in nine projects, 22 megawatts of
landfill gas methane recovery in four projects, and one
3.8-megawatt biomass power plant.
CEC will provide a total of $162 million in funding to the
14 power plants. The funding is part of the $540 million
renewables fund created as part of the restructuring of
California's electric industry.
See the News Release page on the CEC's Web site:
<http://www.energy.ca.gov/releases/index.htmln.htmst-archive/>.
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SITE NEWS
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New EREN Link:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Solar Initiative
<http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/actions/solar/tmst-archive/>
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Solar
Initiative site focuses on EPA's solar-related activities,
including EPA's support for the Million Solar Roofs Initiative,
which is led by DOE. The site also provides case studies,
documents, program and contact information, and a pollution
prevention calculator to estimate the benefits of using
renewable energy.
New on EREN: "Energy Savers" Enhanced with Multimedia
<http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/-archive/>
The Energy Savers Web site, which features tips on saving
energy and money at home, has been enhanced with new
multimedia features. Java animations and sound files add a
new dimension to the site. The new "frames" format also
allows easier navigation within the Web site.
For these and other recent additions to the EREN Web site,
see <http://www.eren.doe.gov/new/whats-new.htmly_savers/-archive/>.
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ENERGY FACTS AND TIPS
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Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The EPA's "Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
and Sinks: 1990-1996" is a wealth of information about the
sources and magnitudes of greenhouse gases in the United
States. For instance, you can find out that fossil fuel
combustion contributed 82 percent of all greenhouse gas
emissions in 1996. Published in March 1998, the publication
is available in part or whole on the Web in Adobe Acrobat
PDF format. See the document on the EPA Web site at:
<http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/inventory/1998-inv.htmlive/>.
Up on the Roof: Gauging Your Home's Insulation Levels
Those who live in snowy climes have a free and easy way to
gauge their home's insulation levels, and the energy
performance of their attic or ceiling insulation. Simply pay
attention to your roof the next time it snows.
Bare roofs and icicles are sure signs of a roof that leaks
energy. Your home should maintain a blanket of snow as
long as the temperatures stay below freezing, especially on
north-facing surfaces. Also watch for bare patches as the
snow starts to melt; the places that melt first may have wet
or missing insulation.
This simple test is just a starting point; check your actual
insulation levels or call in an energy auditor to get the full
picture. For more information on insulation, including DOE
recommended levels of insulation, see the Tips for Energy
Savers Web site at:
<http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/insulation.html>.
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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
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To subscribe to this newsletter, please go to the Web
page <http://www.eren.doe.gov/menus/register.html_savers/insulation.html>.
The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN)
home page is located at <http://www.eren.doe.gov/menus/register.html_savers/insulation.html>.
Please contact webmaster.eren@nrel.gov if you have
questions or comments about the EREN Web site.
If you have questions or comments about this
newsletter, please contact the editor, Kevin Eber, at
kevin_eber@nrel.gov.