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Christine posted this on August 10th, 2011. Hoo boy, this is going to irritate the teabaggers. The Department of Energy announced today that more than $175 million has been awarded to fund energy research projects. Specifically, the projects will help improve the fuel efficiency of next generation vehicles. The awards reflect only a portion of the investment in these projects. There are 40 projects that are being supported, totaling over $300 million.
President Obama’s energy initiatives include standards for work trucks and buses, and a 54.5 fuel efficiency standard. These initiatives are designed to save consumers and businesses thousands of dollars, and reduce our dependency on foreign oil. You can see the specifics if you follow the links.
Michigan is well represented in the awards.
Applicant Location DOE Award Description Ford Motor Company Dearborn, MI $1,500,000 This project will identify fuel properties that can be used to enable novel combustion strategies with low emissions of nitrogen oxides in an engine, and enhance existing models to capture the effect of additional key fuel properties on combustion. Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company Dearborn, MI $1,200,000 This project will research, develop, and demonstrate polyalkylene glycol (PAG)- based engine oil technology which can reduce engine friction relative to conventional petroleum-based and synthetic oils. United States Automotive Materials Partnership, LLC Southfield, MI $3,500,000 This project will validate crash models for carbon-fiber composites that would enable the use of lightweight composites in primary-structural automotive crash and energy management applications. United States Automotive Materials Partnership, LLC Southfield, MI $3,000,000 This project will design, engineer, fabricate and test an integrated magnesiumintensive automotive assembly focused on a 45 percent weight reduction over currently-used steel counterpart structures. Vehma International of America, Inc. Troy, MI $10,000,000 This project will develop and validate a “new passenger vehicle design architecture” which facilitates a 50% weight reduction through the extensive use of lightweight and high strength materials. Chrysler Group LLC Auburn Hills, MI $10,000,000 This project will develop and demonstrate a cost effective, light-weight, multimaterial vehicle incorporating technologies targeting 50% weight reduction. DENSO International America, Inc. Southfield, MI $2,610,555 This project will develop and demonstrate an innovative battery thermal management system that will allow [...]
Wizardkitten posted this on December 10th, 2010. Latest on the hostage negotiations:
A popular program to give wind and solar companies cash grants for renewable-energy projects appears close to being extended through a tax package that is being negotiated in the U.S. Senate, Democrats said on Thursday, as renewable energy companies pushed hard for a deal.
"I've heard that we've made progress," Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) told reporters. It's "our understanding is that it's in," Feinstein's chief of staff said.
Sen. Tom Harkin (D., Iowa) told reporters that the program would be extended for one year. Sen. Ben Nelson (D., Neb.) said that "it was my understanding that it would be included, but I don't have confirmation of that as of right now."
The details emerged after a group of 17 Democratic senators wrote Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D, Nev.) that they would "have trouble" supporting the tax package unless the cash-grant program were extended. The broader tax package would extend for two years tax cuts enacted under U.S. President George W. Bush.
Companies have been clamoring for an extension of the renewable-energy cash-grant program, which expires at year's end.
The program allows solar and wind power facilities to obtain federal grants equal to 30% of the cost of installing new facilities. The program got its start in the 2009 economic stimulus package, when companies that had previously qualified for tax credits for building renewable-energy projects began losing money, making the credits worthless.
Ben Nelson got his corn money, so he is happy. And with big boys like General Electric pushing for the renewable energy grants to be continued, chances are it is going to happen – but notice the fine print.
One year. One year. Bang your head on the keyboard. All the protests taken into account, it looks like the overall deal is going to pass anyway, so we better get what we can out of this right now. But as Krugman said:
Unemployment benefits aside, all of this is very much second-best policy: consumers would probably spend only part of the payroll tax break, and it's unclear whether the business break would do much to [...]
Wizardkitten posted this on December 9th, 2010. Mostly over-looked in the 2008 energy legislation that brought us our renewable energy standard was a provision that utility companies implement energy optimization programs to increase efficiency. For residential customers, that could mean anything from housing weatherization initiatives, lighting with CFL bulbs, replacing inefficient heating and cooling systems and old appliances, along with various other forms of energy education. For business customers, about the same, but on a larger scale, of course. The goal was to reduce demand for fossil fuels and save energy, which of course in turn saves money.
It was wildly successful.
Energy programs implemented last year will save customers about a third more than projected, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Public Service Commission.
The report, required under the legislation that adopted renewable energy portfolio standards, showed the state's utilities implemented $89 million in energy optimization programs in 2009, but those programs were projected to save utility customers $404 million over the lifetime of the projects.
That savings exceeded targets for the programs by 37 percent, the report said.
Some other findings from the full report that are worth noting, the first being that these programs are available to everyone in Michigan. While the major utility companies are able to offer more variety in the way of optimization efforts, even the smaller companies that have joined co-ops or other alternative programs are offering various forms of energy efficiency options or education.
On November, 30, 2009, a major milestone in Michigan was achieved: all natural gas and electric utility customers in Michigan could participate in specific energy efficiency programs offered by their local utility. This milestone was achieved through the 2009 launch of utility-directed Energy Optimization programs and launch of the state-selected program, Efficiency United, which has continued throughout 2010. Importantly, this was the first time in over 14 years that utility energy-efficiency programs, funded via a public benefits fund approach, have been available to Michigan utility customers. There have been new programs available in 2010 and utilities will continue to phase-in the implementation of additional programs and expand existing programs over the next several years.
And [...]
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The Koch Brothers Come to Lansing
Tuesday briefing and open thread
Getting started in political blogging
Why Are Public Schools Under Attack?
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